ADEPT

Assistant/Associate Dean Empowerment & Professional Training

A compass on a rock next to a dandelion

Assistant and associate deans (ADs) lead from the middle, helping both deans and departments navigate priorities, goals, and constraints while fostering equity and inclusion. These crucial roles require leaders who are adept at functioning in an executive team, coaching, and acting as a compass for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. 

The ADEPT (Assistant/Associate Dean Empowerment & Professional Training) Leadership Institute provides a confidential space for mentoring, coaching, and leadership training focused on the unique needs of ADs, including communicating and partnering effectively with multiple stakeholders, working effectively in an executive team, leading authentically, and staying inspired in the role.  

An open book. A tree, lake, and compass pop up out of the pages.

ADEPT Summer Book Groups

As a part of the ADEPT series, OFD organizes summer book groups, intended to be spaces where Assistant and Associate Deans can build community and gather to discuss relevant topics. Learn more by reaching out to @email.

Upcoming Events

10
Mar 2026
Past Event
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm ET
ADEPT: Supporting Interdisciplinary Educational Experiences

Assistant/Associate Dean Resources

Check out these excellent sources for perspectives and tips.

NCFDD Webinar: Managing Multiple Roles: How to Be a Faculty Member and an Administrator NCFDD Webinar: Managing Multiple Roles: How to Be a Faculty Member and an Administrator Chronicle of Higher Ed: Admin 101 Series Chronicle of Higher Ed: Admin 101 Series Inside Higher Ed: Tips for Faculty Members New to Administrative Roles, Part 1 Inside Higher Ed: Tips for Faculty Members New to Administrative Roles, Part 1 Inside Higher Ed: Tips for Faculty Members New to Administrative Roles, Part 2 Inside Higher Ed: Tips for Faculty Members New to Administrative Roles, Part 2 Positive Academic Leadership, by Jeffrey L. Buller, Available through UMass Library Positive Academic Leadership, by Jeffrey L. Buller, Available through UMass Library Leading for Tomorrow: A Primer for Succeeding in Higher Education Leadership by Pamela L. Eddy, Elizabeth Kirby and Adrianna Kezar, Available through UMass Library Leading for Tomorrow: A Primer for Succeeding in Higher Education Leadership by Pamela L. Eddy, Elizabeth Kirby and Adrianna Kezar, Available through UMass Library Leading from the Middle: A Case-Study Approach to Academic Leadership for Associate Deans, by Tammy Stone and Mary Coussons-Read, Available through UMass Library Leading from the Middle: A Case-Study Approach to Academic Leadership for Associate Deans, by Tammy Stone and Mary Coussons-Read, Available through UMass Library Inside Higher Ed: 5 Strategies for Strengthening Academic Administrator–Faculty Partnerships Inside Higher Ed: 5 Strategies for Strengthening Academic Administrator–Faculty Partnerships
Angela De Oliveira, a white woman with brown hair and glasses, smiles in front of windowed wall.

Program Contact

Angela de Oliveira

Associate Provost for Faculty Development, Professor of Resource Economics

Dr. Angela C.M. de Oliveira provides vision and leadership for the Office of Faculty Development, focusing especially on leadership development, mentoring, mid-career, awards and recognition, as well as community, inclusion, and wellness programs to support healthy, equitable, thriving faculty and departments.
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