Abstract
This essay examines the challenges and satisfactions inherent in academic administration, offering pragmatic reflection rather than empirical analysis. Using the metaphor of “joys” to structure the discussion, the author outlines four dimensions of effective administrative practice: the job itself, the self, the objectives, and the necessity of humor. The argument emphasizes the variability of administrative roles, particularly department chair positions, which may range from primarily managerial to deeply academic or externally oriented. Successful administrators are characterized by congruence between personal strengths and institutional needs, as well as the capacity to delegate tasks strategically. The essay critiques the common reversal of academic priorities in which budgets determine philosophy rather than the reverse, advocating for goal-driven planning grounded in departmental values. Finally, it contends that a sense of humor is indispensable for managing stress and maintaining perspective. The essay concludes that administration, properly conceived, is a form of service grounded in systematic planning, adaptability, and commitment to the academic community rather than the pursuit of authority.
Recommended Citation
Gillespie, Patti P.
(1986)
"The Joys of Administration,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 2.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/2
