In an effort to spark collaboration, foster better communication and share best practices among the region’s many community college and high school department chairs, College of the Canyons will host a first of its kind Regional ‘Chair Academy’ Conference on Friday, Oct. 24.

The conference has been modeled around the college’s long-standing on-campus Chair Academy program, which includes the participation of nearly 40 COC faculty members currently serving as department chairs.

“We want to help spread that high-level spirit of collaboration and partnership to our department chair colleagues throughout the region,” said Dr. Miriam Golbert, chair of the college’s biological sciences department and co-organizer of the event.

At the conference, attendees will explore the successful strategies used by department chairs to help meet the increasing leadership challenges required of the position, while simultaneously remaining focused on carrying out the goals of the department.

Expected to attract a gathering of more than 60 Southern California-based department chairs, in various academic disciplines and settings, the day-long workshop event will provide attendees with a constructive and engaging environment for becoming more effective in fulfilling the multiple and dynamic roles of a department chair.

“Most importantly, this conference will help establish a resource network among our region’s various department chairs, allowing us to better communicate and share ideas about the various duties, challenges and best practices associated with the position,” said Dr. Claudia Acosta, chair of the college’s modern languages department and co-organizer of the event.

The first annual College of the Canyons Regional Chair Academy Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center, located on the college’s Valencia campus (University Center Drive entrance).

Admission to this conference is free, with funding having been provided by a special grant from the COC Foundation’s Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. However, attendees are asked to please register in advance by visiting www.canyons.edu/Conferences/ChairsAcademy/.

A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

For more information about the College of the Canyons Regional Chair Academy Conference please e-mail ChairsAcademy@canyons.edu.