Although the role of college and university presidents has received considerable attention over the past several decades, very little attention has been given to the role of deans. This is particularly apparent with respect to deans of professionals schools. This volume of New Directions for Higher Education begins to fill the void by focusing on the demanding leadership roles assumed by deans of social work, law, engineering, nursing, and divinity. Although the case illustrations draw primarily on the experiences of deans of social work, the contributors to this volume confirm that their deanship experiences are similar to those found in other professional schools.