If you are a new department head, you are likely focused on doing an excellent job. And you may believe that the work you do speaks for itself. It is important, however, to also cultivate allies. Allies understand what you do, speak well of you, and think of you when opportunities arise. They know who you are when you call to ask for a favor or request help in dealing with a sticky issue. Your allies function as an extension of you and your mission, and they are thus a key resource.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
