This paper considers leadership within colleges and universities toward creation of a continuum of professional development. Changes in the headship of schools/colleges/departments of education (SCDE) among member institutions of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education were studied, revealing that the mean "time in position" for SCDE heads is about 4.5 years, with a trend toward shorter periods of time. A survey of 255 individuals who left a position as SCDE head between 1983 and 1992 was then conducted, to gather information regarding the length of time it takes to develop, implement, and institutionalize a major professional development change. Respondents estimated that the average time required was 3.8 years, with a range from 0.5 to 10 years. About 84 percent of respondents stated that the length of time he/she served as head allowed enough time for one or more major programmatic changes. After leaving the headship, the greatest number of former deans/chairs accepted lower-level administrative positions or teaching/research positions at the same institution. The most frequent reason for leaving the headship was "frustration/burnout." The study concluded that continued shortening of the "time in position" of deans/chairs could eventually cause an inability to accomplish meaningful change. (Contains 25 references.) (JDD)