As a Provost, you have most likely been in academia for a long time.  Those of us who are in academia choose this profession because we find it a place where we can increase our knowledge in many areas,  including those in which we have developed expertise.  Academics should be the prototype of what’s been called the life-long learner.  As an administrator, you will be faced with issues in which you have little knowledge or background.  In these situations, it is best to become a student and do whatever you need to do to educate yourself about those issues.  You might read about those issues or spend time with someone who has had success in dealing with those issues.  

I have always found it very helpful to be an administrator in a school with several different disciplines that were different from my own.  When I took over the School of Health Sciences, I knew very little about the issues in educating students in various health science disciplines.  I met with each Department Chair individually and asked them to tell me about the challenges they faced with educating students in their discipline.  I also asked how I could best help them and what problems would likely come to me as the Dean. Those interactions lead to very fruitful relationships and has allowed me to be a help without interfering. Those interactions with members of those disciplines have taught me a lot and that knowledge has made me a better administrator because it provided me with the information that I need to make informed and equitable decisions.  

I have also learned that you can seek help from colleagues in my discipline who are at different stages in their careers.  Junior colleagues may have background and insights that some senior colleagues don’t have.  No matter how experienced and accomplished you are in your discipline, you can always learn something new from the other colleagues.  Junior colleagues often are aware of some new developments in your discipline which you may not know much about and may not have had the time to research those developments. Asking them to help you gives you the opportunity to learn from them.  Don’t be afraid of your own ignorance.  No one will think less of you if you are not knowledgeable about a certain topic.  In fact, by asking others to help you, you will be modeling a behavior that you would like all your colleagues to have.  All successful academics want to continue their learning in their field and other fields.  Continual learning not only increases your knowledge base but also makes you a more well-rounded person and increases your ability to be a good administrator.     

Being open to learning new things in your discipline and other disciplines will increase your knowledge base.  This increase in your knowledge will give you the information  you need to make better informed and equitable decisions.

Louis H. Primavera, Ph.D.
Touro University