H****y
发帖数: 2992 | 1 Interview with Dr. Daliang Wang
（By Fiona Rawsontile, April 2016）
I got to know Dr. Wang when he first announced his candidacy for a
department chair position. Since it’s uncommon for Chinese scholars to
assume administrative roles in academia, I became interested in knowing more
about him. So while traveling back and forth between his current and future
institutes, wrapping up old business and setting up new, Dr. Wang had to
put up with the interruptions and spare time satisfying my curiosity. But I
justify myself by imagining that others may also benefit from his experience
and wisdom.
Fiona: At the time you applied for the Chair position, had you been shopping
around for administrative openings?
Dr. Wang: I had never considered leaving my current university or seeking an
administrative position until about a year ago. I was frustrated at the
time when I bumped into this opening. I said to myself, “That seems like a
position for me.” So I applied.
Fiona: I’m glad you did it. During the job interview, while facing your
future colleagues, some of whom were probably more established than you are,
have you ever doubted that you would be the right person for the business?
How did you know you were ready?
Dr. Wang: I guess it’s like many other journeys in my life: I was not fully
ready but had to embark on anyway. I have been working on developing
programs and initiatives that fostered leadership since I started as an
assistant professor. In a way, I had been preparing myself when the
opportunity presented luckily. I still can’t say I am ready now, but I know
I can do it in the days to come. I also believe that leadership requires a
different set of skills that are not necessarily associated with academic
achievements or seniority.
Fiona: I agree; it has more to do with the person’s willingness to serve a
group or make a difference. What was the most difficult part during the
interview? Ever wished you had known more about the individuals in the
department?
Dr. Wang: You are right that the most difficult part of my interview was the
lack of knowledge on the exact issues/problems faced by the department in
advance. I gave an oral presentation largely based on my speculations,
experience, and limited information about the faculty. During my second
campus interview, I spoke to everyone in the department and discussed about
their specific concerns. But still, I gained their votes without being able
to please everyone.
Fiona: You specialize in teaching non-native speakers second languages. Have
you observed differences in the way native English speakers learn Chinese,
as opposed to how Chinese people learn English? Do you have any advice for
us ESL learners?
Dr. Wang: I believe in terms of complexity, every language is about the same
, while the challenge in learning each of them is unique. For Chinese, it is
the characters and tones that frustrate non-native learners. The ways of
approaching a language, English or Chinese, depend on the educational
practices the learners are comfortable with. So it’s hard to characterize
how Americans differ from Chinese in learning a foreign language.
As for advice on learning English, I think anyone who is reading this
article must have had some good ideas already. For me, I enjoyed learning
English and using it in life, such as watching TV shows, movies, and reading
.
Fiona: Maybe that enjoyment is the key. Do you think your linguistic
expertise has advanced your career by equipping you with exceptional skills
to sway your audience?
Dr. Wang: Yes and no. As Confucius said, “The superior man is modest in his
speech, but exceeds in his action”. I cannot downplay the importance of
words, but for this position, language was actually not in my favor as other
competitors were all native-born Americans. I guess I convinced my future
employer by fully presenting myself, including my education, experience,
vision, and even my disposition.
Fiona: Would you like to share with us some administrative experience in the
past? What kind of leadership style do you have?
Dr. Wang: I have been assuming quite a few leadership roles in and out of my
institute since I started career. My most significant administrative
experience came from the Intensive English Program that I established with
my colleagues. As a language teacher, I had always wanted to create a
program to help international students succeed in American universities. We
built everything from scratch. As the founding director, I was involved in
every aspect of the program establishment, including budgeting, teacher
hiring and evaluation, and student recruiting and advising. That experience
provided me with valuable firsthand knowledge as an administrator. As a
result, we had quite a success for the first year and the program continued
to grow thereafter.
As for my leadership style, my goal is to assemble a well-balanced
combination of leadership skills. I would tailor my management strategies
according to the situation and the individuals involved. I believe in
democracy and open-communication, but when necessary, I can be decisive and
tough.
Fiona: Speaking of tough situations, what would you do if a senior faculty
doesn’t listen to you or acknowledge the goals you’ve set for the team?
Dr. Wang: This is a fairly common question with no fixed answer, given that
every circumstance is unique. Changes can bring problems and conflicts to
certain people. If a senior faculty disagrees with me, first I would try to
understand his/her perspective by listening, to see if there is a common
ground. I would also seek alliance and support from others, or tackle the
issue from a different angle. In the worst case when nothing works, you will
have to deal with it straightforwardly. i.e., firing that person (if I can!
) or just leaving him alone. Either way, I will make sure I document every
step.
Fiona: Yes, keep the documentation. What do you think is the most important
element for a group of people, who are largely autonomous with respect to
their financial and professional status, to function as a team?
Dr. Wang: It’s apparently challenging to lead a group of professors,
especially when they are literally from all over the world. Collegiality is
the element that I will strive to cultivate and maintain for the department.
I will set up commonly-shared goals, transparent decision-making process,
and sound mentorship, to name a few. I imagine the whole department as a
ship where everyone is in the right position. They don’t have to work with
each other daily, but as long as everyone is doing his/her job, the ship
will be moving forward.
Fiona: On staff recruitment and tenure promotion, will you hire additional
faculty in the next five years to open up new areas, strength the existing,
or simply replace the to-be-retired? How would you plan to help young
faculty reach the tenure criteria?
Dr. Wang: I do have a few plans to expand existing programs and establish
new ones. For example, I will expand the minor in Chinese Language and
create a minor in Asian Studies and Japanese. I also hope to build a joint
graduate program with other departments. I intend to hire more tenure-track
faculty to consolidate those programs.
Yes, I have plans for assisting young faculty in their early career, both
formally and informally. Mandatory activity includes periodic observations,
annual evaluations, third-year reviews, etc., which will be put in handbooks
. Informal ones may come from diverse sources, such as peer-mentoring,
external mentoring, and university-sponsored workshops. I will form a
mentoring group and a supporting “net” for every new hire and make sure no
one’s left out.
Fiona: “Glass Ceiling” is a frequent complaint we hear from Chinese
faculty in the western societies, especially male. What are the obstacles
you’ve observed on their way of pursuing an administrative career? What
kind of skills they should try to consciously acquire for this purpose?
Dr. Wang: I actually hit my “Glass Ceiling” at my previous institute and
have been struggling for a while before I got the current offer. In my case,
I don’t think it had anything to do with me being a Chinese male, but
certain obstacles, such as gender, race, or seniority, do exist for many of
us. For me, I got caught up with the administrative transition.
We may not change things that are out of our control, but we can always
improve ourselves. Unlike many Chinese professors who focus on research and
scholarships, I enjoy teaching and working with people. I have been
purposefully polishing my skills in communication, socialization, and public
speaking ever since I came here. Those efforts may not guarantee an
administrative career, but they made me better at what I do. I know my
limits and exactly what I wanted. I work hard along my career path, not for
the glory of the destination but for the joy of the journey itself.
Fiona: Thank you very much, Dr. Wang! Please remember to come back and share
with us your new experience as you climb up the hills. And enjoy the hiking
, just as you said! | H**T
发帖数: 3007 | 2 老王还是个帅哥，有成为隔壁老王的潜质.
你的主ID生命力也才1825啊，是不是才来买买提两三年。 | a*****k
发帖数: 974 | 3 高妹，能不能付一个被采访对象的bio或者简介啊。 | H****y
发帖数: 2992 | 4 唔，这个嘛。。。其实我做这些采访一个很大的难题就是，大家都想尽可能多的了解被
采访者，但我拿不准是否同时该尽量保护被采访者的隐私（如果他也是版上ID的话）。
我明天问问看吧。
【在 a*****k 的大作中提到】
: 高妹，能不能付一个被采访对象的bio或者简介啊。
| H**T
发帖数: 3007 | 5 这个就不用劳烦你费那么大劲了。google 一下英文名就能看到faculty的简介了。
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: 唔，这个嘛。。。其实我做这些采访一个很大的难题就是，大家都想尽可能多的了解被
: 采访者，但我拿不准是否同时该尽量保护被采访者的隐私（如果他也是版上ID的话）。
: 我明天问问看吧。
| m********t
发帖数: 9426 | 6 网上照片看，是个帅男副教授
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: 唔，这个嘛。。。其实我做这些采访一个很大的难题就是，大家都想尽可能多的了解被
: 采访者，但我拿不准是否同时该尽量保护被采访者的隐私（如果他也是版上ID的话）。
: 我明天问问看吧。
| t**a
发帖数: 52 | | l***d
发帖数: 1798 | 8 赞啊
more
future
I
experience
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: Interview with Dr. Daliang Wang
: （By Fiona Rawsontile, April 2016）
: I got to know Dr. Wang when he first announced his candidacy for a
: department chair position. Since it’s uncommon for Chinese scholars to
: assume administrative roles in academia, I became interested in knowing more
: about him. So while traveling back and forth between his current and future
: institutes, wrapping up old business and setting up new, Dr. Wang had to
: put up with the interruptions and spare time satisfying my curiosity. But I
: justify myself by imagining that others may also benefit from his experience
: and wisdom.
| h********0
发帖数: 12056 | 9 我总是觉着 “Glass Ceiling” 是一个伪命题。难道在中国没有 Glass Ceiling。
在中国是 “Cement Ceiling”。首先年龄上公开其实，然后是学历上一刀切，有些
工作还要跳长相，我们找个空姐就像给皇帝找痱子一样，只是中国人习惯了把了。
中国绝大多数机关工作人员能在退休之前混成处长就不错了。在大学有多少
成了副校长校长（假定愿意走仕途）？有多少副县长最后成了国家总书记？
在美国也是如此，你是参议院的儿子吗？你的社会背景是什么？ 凭什么你一个
外国人，对美国社会，历史，语言缺乏必要的理解，人家就必须对你委以重任。
很多行政工作除了自己的眼界和能力主要靠社会影响和社会关系。
华人当校长已经不少了，田长霖早就是名校校长，二代华人早当上了部长。
我们可以欣慰的是，至少奥巴马还不是官二代。
我非常同意高妹的倡议，希望更多人走上系主任， Dean， 校长的位置。 | s******y
发帖数: 28562 | 10
小马老师是不是感到受威胁了？
【在 m********t 的大作中提到】
: 网上照片看，是个帅男副教授
| | | a****e
发帖数: 1662 | 11 年龄歧视在亚洲国家是明处的公开歧视。另外面貌要求，且表讲工作，几十年前，连外
语学院招生都必须面试，必须是真正美女，（几十年前可没有化妆的）。全国外语大学
仅仅8所。 而非如今的人造“美女”，如今所有女人都是“美女”。
还有，你不理解为啥是social class决定大多数命运， 正是因为你不懂社会科学呀，
哈哈哈
你知道吗？全世界1%的富豪们权贵们拥有全世界95%的财富，世界也是这些富豪们权贵
们说了算。
【在 h********0 的大作中提到】
: 我总是觉着 “Glass Ceiling” 是一个伪命题。难道在中国没有 Glass Ceiling。
: 在中国是 “Cement Ceiling”。首先年龄上公开其实，然后是学历上一刀切，有些
: 工作还要跳长相，我们找个空姐就像给皇帝找痱子一样，只是中国人习惯了把了。
: 中国绝大多数机关工作人员能在退休之前混成处长就不错了。在大学有多少
: 成了副校长校长（假定愿意走仕途）？有多少副县长最后成了国家总书记？
: 在美国也是如此，你是参议院的儿子吗？你的社会背景是什么？ 凭什么你一个
: 外国人，对美国社会，历史，语言缺乏必要的理解，人家就必须对你委以重任。
: 很多行政工作除了自己的眼界和能力主要靠社会影响和社会关系。
: 华人当校长已经不少了，田长霖早就是名校校长，二代华人早当上了部长。
: 我们可以欣慰的是，至少奥巴马还不是官二代。
| h********0
发帖数: 12056 | 12 社会学没问题，社会科学就是挂羊头卖狗肉了。
【在 a****e 的大作中提到】
: 年龄歧视在亚洲国家是明处的公开歧视。另外面貌要求，且表讲工作，几十年前，连外
: 语学院招生都必须面试，必须是真正美女，（几十年前可没有化妆的）。全国外语大学
: 仅仅8所。 而非如今的人造“美女”，如今所有女人都是“美女”。
: 还有，你不理解为啥是social class决定大多数命运， 正是因为你不懂社会科学呀，
: 哈哈哈
: 你知道吗？全世界1%的富豪们权贵们拥有全世界95%的财富，世界也是这些富豪们权贵
: 们说了算。
| w**5
发帖数: 316 | 13 赞。
高妹，我知道有一个中国人（Joanne Li）在Wright State University当商学院院长好
几年了，你也许有兴趣联系一下。但我不认识她。
https://business.wright.edu/about/deans-message | H****y
发帖数: 2992 | 14 谢谢你的推荐！目前还没有采访过女发考题，所以是需要在这方面补充。
【在 w**5 的大作中提到】
: 赞。
: 高妹，我知道有一个中国人（Joanne Li）在Wright State University当商学院院长好
: 几年了，你也许有兴趣联系一下。但我不认识她。
: https://business.wright.edu/about/deans-message
| h******g
发帖数: 177 | 15 他们学校的理学院院长也是老中，从U Iowa 过去的
【在 w**5 的大作中提到】
: 赞。
: 高妹，我知道有一个中国人（Joanne Li）在Wright State University当商学院院长好
: 几年了，你也许有兴趣联系一下。但我不认识她。
: https://business.wright.edu/about/deans-message
| L*****s
发帖数: 24744 | | m********t
发帖数: 9426 | 17 不敢不敢
嘿嘿
【在 s******y 的大作中提到】
:
: 小马老师是不是感到受威胁了？
| s**********t
发帖数: 544 | 18 顶
大赞！
more
future
I
experience
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: Interview with Dr. Daliang Wang
: （By Fiona Rawsontile, April 2016）
: I got to know Dr. Wang when he first announced his candidacy for a
: department chair position. Since it’s uncommon for Chinese scholars to
: assume administrative roles in academia, I became interested in knowing more
: about him. So while traveling back and forth between his current and future
: institutes, wrapping up old business and setting up new, Dr. Wang had to
: put up with the interruptions and spare time satisfying my curiosity. But I
: justify myself by imagining that others may also benefit from his experience
: and wisdom.
| o****i
发帖数: 142 | 19 这是前几天汇报面试系主任的网友啊.果然是老王啊。
more
future
I
experience
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: Interview with Dr. Daliang Wang
: （By Fiona Rawsontile, April 2016）
: I got to know Dr. Wang when he first announced his candidacy for a
: department chair position. Since it’s uncommon for Chinese scholars to
: assume administrative roles in academia, I became interested in knowing more
: about him. So while traveling back and forth between his current and future
: institutes, wrapping up old business and setting up new, Dr. Wang had to
: put up with the interruptions and spare time satisfying my curiosity. But I
: justify myself by imagining that others may also benefit from his experience
: and wisdom.
| h********0
发帖数: 12056 | 20 这个该祝贺一下。
【在 o****i 的大作中提到】
: 这是前几天汇报面试系主任的网友啊.果然是老王啊。
:
: more
: future
: I
: experience
| | | r**c
发帖数: 1334 | 21 多谢高妹！也一并谢谢这里各位的支持和祝贺。就像Spiderman 的爷爷说的，with big
power, comes big responsibility. 这还没上岗，已经开始“过关”了。其实做
faculty的最高境界，就是举重若轻，逍遥自在啊。大家一起努力吧。
more
future
I
experience
【在 H****y 的大作中提到】
: Interview with Dr. Daliang Wang
: （By Fiona Rawsontile, April 2016）
: I got to know Dr. Wang when he first announced his candidacy for a
: department chair position. Since it’s uncommon for Chinese scholars to
: assume administrative roles in academia, I became interested in knowing more
: about him. So while traveling back and forth between his current and future
: institutes, wrapping up old business and setting up new, Dr. Wang had to
: put up with the interruptions and spare time satisfying my curiosity. But I
: justify myself by imagining that others may also benefit from his experience
: and wisdom.
| s******g
发帖数: 163 | | b*********1
发帖数: 1054 | 23 这个举重若轻说到点子上了，其实不光是做老师，无论什么事，能达到这个举重若轻，
那就比较轻松逍遥了。
如何达到呢？最简单就是无欲则刚，可是没有欲望不就没有追求了嘛，所以重点就在这
个度。
大多中国教授都不爱做行政，这其实很不好，进入这个行政群体才能更好地熟悉理解它
，也是中国出身的教授真正走进美国教育系统的标志。这跟光做研究是不一样的。严重
支持你的努力！！！
big
【在 r**c 的大作中提到】
: 多谢高妹！也一并谢谢这里各位的支持和祝贺。就像Spiderman 的爷爷说的，with big
: power, comes big responsibility. 这还没上岗，已经开始“过关”了。其实做
: faculty的最高境界，就是举重若轻，逍遥自在啊。大家一起努力吧。
:
: more
: future
: I
: experience
| m********t
发帖数: 9426 | 24 我们中国人真心需要做行政的！
支持那些有想法，而且有能力和热情做行政的同行！
【在 b*********1 的大作中提到】
: 这个举重若轻说到点子上了，其实不光是做老师，无论什么事，能达到这个举重若轻，
: 那就比较轻松逍遥了。
: 如何达到呢？最简单就是无欲则刚，可是没有欲望不就没有追求了嘛，所以重点就在这
: 个度。
: 大多中国教授都不爱做行政，这其实很不好，进入这个行政群体才能更好地熟悉理解它
: ，也是中国出身的教授真正走进美国教育系统的标志。这跟光做研究是不一样的。严重
: 支持你的努力！！！
:
: big
| s*******s
发帖数: 6 | 25 祝贺祝贺。
big
【在 r**c 的大作中提到】
: 多谢高妹！也一并谢谢这里各位的支持和祝贺。就像Spiderman 的爷爷说的，with big
: power, comes big responsibility. 这还没上岗，已经开始“过关”了。其实做
: faculty的最高境界，就是举重若轻，逍遥自在啊。大家一起努力吧。
:
: more
: future
: I
: experience
|
|
