KINGSVILLE (Jan 15, 2025) — After moving into the role of Interim Director for the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) School of Music in August, Dr. Elizabeth Janzen’s impact opened the door for her to be selected to participate in the latest cohort of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI) in Washington D.C. last week.
Janzen was one of 37 higher education leaders to participate in the DCLI after receiving nomination support from TAMUK’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. James Palmer and Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Scott Jones.
“It felt affirming and rewarding to be considered for this by Dean Scott Jones and Provost James Palmer and then, in the end to be selected by this very prestigious group at the forefront of academic affairs for state universities for the country,” Janzen said. “I think it means that I will be a better chair and that I have learned about and can implement some strategies that will help me support everyone at the school of music better.”
The DCLI is meant to support leaders who aspire to be dynamic, strategic, and empathetic institutional citizens by providing them with an opportunity to gain national perspective on the vital role chairs play in advancing their institution’s mission, delivering value, and ensuring student success.
For Jones and Palmer, Janzen is one of those leaders.
“Dr. Janzen is a dynamic leader, dedicated educator, and accomplished musician,” Jones said. “She has energetically advanced multiple initiatives in support of the School of Music and the university and brings passion, commitment, and vision to her role as Interim Director of the School of Music.”
“Elizabeth shows incredible promise as a leader and administrator, and I have been greatly impressed by her courageous spirit, sometimes demonstrated by her speaking up when others are hesitant,” Palmer added. “She will benefit from AASCU’s leadership opportunity this year because she is always eager to learn, reflect and grow; consequently, the South Texas region and the state will reap the benefits of her experiences in the Institute as well.”
Topics explored by the DCLI included how to lead departments in alignment with an institution’s mission and strategic plan, growing and sustaining a future-focused department, navigating difficult conversations, resource management, principles of supervision, maintaining relevance amid changes in higher education, and wellness for leaders.
"I think they were trying to foster a mindset that the strategic mission of an institution is inclusive of smaller areas, including its departments,” Janzen said. “It’s on us leaders to try and promote, foster and encourage those values in our department so that, as a community, all constituents feel engaged with the mission.”
Another benefit of the DCLI was the ability to communicate and discuss with peers who encounter similar situations at institutions around the country.
Those experiences resonated with Janzen immediately as she was impressed with Dr. Richard Helldobler, President of William Patterson University, delivering an opening seminar with strategies he used as he rose through the academic ranks since they share similar starting backgrounds.
“In my previous positions, I oversaw student affairs,” Janzen explained. “I’ve pivoted to overseeing primarily faculty affairs. (Helldobler) talked about a lot of different strategies that he used in his career as chair, dean, provost and then president for supporting faculty under his purview. It was also fascinating to me to hear that he started his career in academics as a dance faculty. So, I felt a connection to that since we’re both in fine arts.”
Janzen expressed her appreciation for Jones and Palmer and encouraged aspiring leaders at the university to learn more about opportunities like the DCL.
“I would like to thank Dean Scott Jones and Provost James Palmer for supporting my nomination,” Janzen said. “I would encourage other faculty and chairs who are interested in leadership and honing their skills in that area to learn more about the AASCU. They are doing a lot of advocacy work on behalf of state universities and I think it would behoove us all to be more engaged with them.
ABOUT THE AASCU:
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.
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