Chairing the Academic Department

Jeffrey L. Buller, Dean of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University (Jupiter, Florida)
Buller is the author of three books on higher education as a profession, including, The Essential Academic Dean: A Practical Guide to College Leadership; The Essential Department Chair: A Practical Guide to College Administration; The Essential College Professor: A Practical Guide to an Academic Career (expected in 2008). In addition he has written more than twenty articles, fifty essays, and several dozen reviews on topics ranging from Greek tragedy and Latin pedagogy to Baroque music and twentieth-century opera. He speaks nationally on topics as varied as college administration, the history of opera, honors education, and ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.

Ann H. Franke, Esq., President, Wise Results, LLC (Washington, DC)
Franke has more than twenty years of experience in academic policy, practice and law. She works with colleges and universities nationally on legal issues and risk management. Her consulting and research interests include campus training, safety, policy development, and management practices. She is a Fellow of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and an invited author in ACE's book series, for a volume on campus risk management.

Fernando Gomez, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, The Texas State University System (Austin, TX)
An experienced trial lawyer, Gomez was a tenured faculty member at Michigan State University before taking positions as general counsel first for the California State University System, and currently for the Texas State University System.

Mary Lou Higgerson, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Baldwin Wallace College (Berea, OH)
Recipient of eight teaching awards and an American Council on Education Fellow in 1986–87, Higgerson is a regular presenter for the ACE Department Chair Program.

Janet Wessel Krejci, Coordinator MSN Health Care Systems Leadership Option, Coordinator MA in Public Service, Healthcare Administration Option, Robert Wood Johnson Fellow 2007–2010, Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI)
Krejci has over 20 publications and eight funded research grants in the areas of leadership, recruitment and retention, work climate, workforce diversity, and change in both acute care and long term care. She frequently gives workshops, courses, and keynotes on Systems Thinking to help leaders be more effective, efficient, and satisfied in their roles. Dr. Krejci has worked as a clinical nurse specialist and leadership consultant in both acute care and long term care: She has served as Associate Dean and Coordinator of Graduate programs. She recently completed an American Council on Education (ACE) leadership fellowship. In addition to the ACE leadership fellowship, she was selected as a Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow to begin in July, 2008.

Dean Van Galen, Vice President for University Advancement University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL)
Van Galen began his academic career in 1987 at Truman State University where he was granted tenure and achieved the rank of Professor of Chemistry. He has developed and taught courses in chemistry and environmental science, including a research-based study abroad course in Norway. He has published and presented extensively in the areas of analytical chemistry and environmental science. Dr. Van Galen was named Educator of the Year at Truman State University in 1988–1989 and Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Professor of the Year for the state of Missouri in 1991. In 1994–1995 he was an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management (IEM) program of Harvard University.