22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Satisfaction of Truman Department Chairs with Their Positions
Amelia A. Bobzien*, Taelor M. Cash, Michelle E. Valleroy, Elizabeth A. Necka, Sarah A. Coffman, and Heather L. Talpers
Dr. Teresa Heckert, Faculty Mentor
Truman State University was recently restructured, and one of the major changes was the creation of the position of department chair. Many campus groups and individuals contributed to this position's job description. Our study examined the job satisfaction of the chairs, approximately eighteen months after the position creation. The survey examined satisfaction with job responsibilities and support. In addition, the chairs (n = 17; 77% response rate) reported their overall satisfaction with the position. The chairs also indicated things that interfered with their performance and identified recommendations that would improve the chair experience. The highest satisfaction was on items dealing with the chairs' interactions with the dean and departmental support staff, while the lowest was on reflection time. The majority reported that the position interfered with family and personal life and at times, they felt overwhelmed by their amount of work. That said, no chairs regretted agreeing to be chair.
Keywords: department chair, job satisfaction, job responsibilities, job support
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 4-4
Location: VH 1010
Time: 9:00