This article discusses the need for chairs to recognize the changing and interconnected nature of postmodern times by engaging with policy makers, politics, and coalitions in this age of supercomplexity. Chairing a kinesiology department is a rewarding and complex position fraught with uncertainty; nevertheless, tolerating and planning for…

The current philosophical paradigm in higher education, where theory transcends practice, consigns physical education to the bottom of a hierarchy of educational content (Kretchmar, 2005). Leaders of physical education teacher education programs are left with three difficult choices: (a) accept physical education's lowly position in the…

A case is presented against a data collection system that is intended to provide increased accountability of teachers, professors and the profession. The utilization of some current data collection systems may in fact jeopardize the integrity of the profession's mission and goals. The cause of concern is the use of the easiest form of data…

The purpose of this manuscript was to discuss the recommendations and guidelines of the Carnegie Group's 2007 effort to "Reclaim the EdD" as well as to outline the work completed at the University of Virginia related to their re-design of the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. In order to address the re-envision and re-formulation of the…

Change theories and Organization Development strategies have long followed the problem-solving approach of looking at organizations, identifying the weaknesses and introducing interventions to "stop doing the wrong things." In its simplest form, this approach has been successful in a variety of situations and has a popular following. Consultants…

This article employs Barnett's (2004) specifications of the aspects that describe the times of "supercomplexity." This term characterizes the challenges universities are facing regarding the expanding and competing forces that are affecting higher education, particularly in the West. Outside forces related to globalization, digital technologies,…

Both modern and postmodern approaches to knowledge view tradition and authority with suspicion, even contempt, though each approach does so in different ways. Our profession vacillates between those epistemological orientations, struggling to find direction and meaning. Leadership, in particular, is in a quandary; what does leadership look like in…

The arguments for using narratives to organize one's leadership practice are helpful in that they justify and organize many of the activities that go into the leader's professional and personal life. This paper explores the complex nature of narratives in a professional setting and the manner in which leaders can use the therapeutic methodology of…

This article explores the process of transformation of higher education in Europe in response to the 1999 Bologna Accord. The "action lines" of the Bologna Process are described with particular attention to their influence on higher education in other countries, including the United States. The changes in Europe and the "external…

Student learning in higher education is traditionally assessed and compared using institution statistics (e.g., graduation rate, students' entrance examinations scores and percent of students with jobs or plans to enter graduate or professional schools after graduation). This practice is no longer adequate to meet the needs of workforce…

This paper explores the implications of a cultural studies as praxis heuristic "model: for transforming sport psychology". It provides a brief introduction to both cultural studies and sport psychology and discusses a cultural studies intersection with sport studies and sport psychology. Cultural studies, it asserts, provides one of several…

Drawing upon five recent studies, this article provides a summary analysis of the assessment of academic quality of doctoral programs in physical education. Conclusions are discussed, and recommendations are made for future quality assessment studies. (Author/DF)

Many graduates of doctoral programs in kinesiology and physical education (KPE) pursue positions in higher education. To determine how student interests in KPE are aligned with academic positions and the qualifications for and responsibilities of those positions, we conducted two analyses: (a) of student interest based on a survey of 26 doctoral…