TaxProf Blog

We all have experience with leadership in higher education. Some of us have experience with so-called toxic leaders. I found this analysis co-authored by a Ph.D. candidate, professor, and professor emeritus to be of interest:

“You will probably recognise toxic leaders when you encounter them. They are the ones whose presence shifts the atmosphere, whose emails create unease, or whose behaviour limits the thinking of others. They often interrupt, frequently overlook contributions and hamper other people’s growth. While this behaviour is often seen as unfortunate but acceptable, the impact on employee wellbeing is corrosive. . . . .Leadership is expressed through everyday moments. In every interaction, leaders contribute to an environment in which people can thrive or one in which they feel diminished. These moments shape whether workplaces become spaces where people realise their potential or just places they must endure.”

Food for thought.

The Yale Undergraduate Law Journal: On this episode of Amicus host Joel Vincent speaks with a first generation college student and incoming 1L at Harvard Law School. She is a self-described law school content creator and admissions advisor. Articulate and thoughtful, Rose goes into minute detail on her law school application process. The intensity of her devotion to analyzing the admissions process was most impressive — and scary! It made me feel very lucky that I got into law school anywhere.

We are in the teaching business and constantly think about how to best teach our students. We also live in a time of political polarization. With that in mind, this piece in The Conversation caught my eye. The bottom line:

“Beyond [the] evidence of political polarization, . . . there’s another, less divisive reality. Ask people to name their best teacher, and regardless of their political affiliation, they will likely offer a similar answer. Most people will say that they learned a lot from a teacher who knew them, cared about them and made learning relevant to their lives.” (bold added).

University of Arkansas- Fayetteville Provost Indrajeet Chaubey announced the appointment of Katheleen Guzman to serve as Interim Dean, effective July 1st. Guzman will serve a two-year term through June 30, 2028, providing leadership continuity as the university prepares to conduct a national search for a permanent dean. Guzman’s ties to the institution run deep: she is a graduate of the law school, and her father, Ray Guzman, served on its faculty for many years. Fayetteville has had interim leadership since 2022.