Understanding Power and Politics in Higher Education

Many postdocs and graduate students are aiming for a traditional tenure-track job, but have little experience with how the university system "actually works" in terms of budget realities, politics, and the hierarchy of decision-making. In this seminar, Belinda Lee Huang, PhD, will discuss:

- Roles and responsibilities of the key players in university governance (faculty, administration, board of trustees, student groups) and their influence on each other.
- Challenges of governance, management and leadership in universities.
- Typical academic organizational structures at R-1 Research Universities and other types of institutions (eg PUIs, HBCUs, community colleges).
- How you, as new faculty, can influence the university.
- Reading the politics of the situation
- Finding allies/mentors to help you succeed.

Speaker: Belinda Lee Huang, PhD is Visiting Assistant Professor in Higher Education Administration at George Washington University. Recently she served as Executive Director of the National Postdoctoral Association, overseeing management of the association and advocating nationally for postdoctoral scholars. Previously, she created and led an undergraduate student affairs program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; in addition she provided academic advising and career counseling. Huang has published on the topics of postdoctoral scholars policy and resources, faculty of color, campus climate, and pathways to senior leadership for women of color.