An advisory board serves an important role for academic departments, units, and programs: board members are key campus allies who provide leadership, visibility, and advice for your work. “Advisory Boards provide a mechanism for faculty involvement, ownership and buy-in to centers’ institutional change vision,” suggests Susan Gano-Phillips at the University of Michigan–Flint (2010). Usually consisting of campus leaders and advocates, an advisory board is an important “think tank” and source of ideas, expertise, and advice.
One of the best books on how to be an academic leader actually has nothing to do with higher education administration. Daniel Levin’s The Zen Book (Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2005) is a combination of introduction to Buddhist practice and guide to daily life. It is also a wonderful summary of principles that are useful to any academic leader. Consider the following.
