This article discusses the story behind American University's brand campaign. Colleagues and peers are asking how American University developed a brand strategy--"KNOW/WONK" campaign that launched in fall 2010--that's original, authentic, and representative of AU's distinctive personality. What they really want to know is how AU got it through the…

We describe the roles and duties of a director in developing an introductory actuarial program. Degree plan design, specialized exam courses, internship classes, coordination of efforts with Economics and Finance Departments, opportunities for creating a minor in actuarial mathematics, actuarial clubs, career advice, and interaction with actuarial…

Principal preparation programs in colleges throughout the country are being initiated and redesigned using diverse models and approaches. Creating change in any organization requires the involvement and support of supervisory personnel in leadership positions. Thus, although supervisory roles in colleges and universities tend to be less direct…

The concepts of professional learning communities and organizational disciplines support staff development and leadership that lead to sustainable systems. Little research has examined the ability of rural schools to achieve sustainable systems. This quantitative design study considered the relationships between predictor variables of…

Intercollegiate debate programs are facing a continuing demand for excellence without any guarantee of adequate resources. Important considerations for program administrators include: be positive, not negative; look for opportunities to build alliances with political science or philosophy departments; be a responsible administrator; and deal with…

Reports and analyzes the consequences of a university's abolishing any required writing course, using the case of the Director of Writing at Portland State University. Discusses effects on assessment, funding, service, and staff and staffing needs. (SR)

Although it is not without flaws, decentralization of the school administration--returning decision-making power to school principals and classroom teachers--can contribute to a return to humanistic education and to the elimination of assembly-line education. Researchers, curriculum developers, and educational publishers can help in this movement…

The concept of public relations and its importance in a vocational education program are described in this article. Such program elements as research, planning, finance, administration, and evaluation are discussed. Public relations efforts concerning staff members, administration, students and alumni, parents, organizations and agencies,…

The success of school/business partnerships depends on the initiative of school boards and superintendents in nurturing long-term relationships with the business community. Examples are provided of systematic, well-planned, and financially realistic partnerships. (TE)

Thirteen author-contributed chapters focus on program design for gifted and talented students. The following titles and authors are included: "Special Educational Programs for the Gifted Are Essential--A Superintendent's Point of View" (M. Gustin); "Getting Started and Moving into Implementation" (W. Vassar); "Policy Implications for…

This guide focuses on the major tasks involved in organizing, planning, and implementing a permanent planning program for foster care. Phase I is concerned with how to organize administrative support for the program so that program planning and implementation can proceed. It also discusses how to overcome some possible hurdles in working to gain…

Four human resource managers present their recommendations for establishing training/human resource development departments. They discuss the following elements: chief executive office support, the role of formal needs analysis, the role of operating managers, market research, and having a sense of teamwork. (CT)

Proposes a model for writing program administrators to use to assess the effectiveness of composition programs. Argues the need to consider local conditions, evaluate the internal coherence of programs, and consider the external relevance of programs. Describes how using this model led the Writing Center at Northern Arizona University to make…

The administration's adviser to the Illinois State University Student Alumni Council examines the benefits of student participation in alumni affairs, outlines some considerations in the creation and development of a new student alumni program, and suggests program possibilities for different constituencies, including alumni, students, future…

Human resource professionals who find themselves charged with selecting and conducting employee training are advised to use adult learning theory to develop effective programs. Tips for facilitating adult training sessions, questions to address before designing a training program, and pointers for successful flip chart use are offered. (MSE)