This thematic issue offers a set of articles dealing with relationships between sociology programs and academic administrators, written from a perspective that draws upon both sociological training and administrative experience. The participating authors have served in the offices of department chair, dean, vice president, provost and president. They accept the necessity of an executive function in higher education, while remaining loyal to their discipline and deeply concerned about its future within academia. The issue was made possible by the efforts of Professor Charles F. Hohm, presently Dean of the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he also is professor of sociology. While serving as President of the Pacific Sociological Association (PSA) in 2007, Professor Hohm organized a program focusing on sociology's place in the contemporary academy (see his "Preface"). The papers presented here were developed from those delivered at the PSA meetings. While the process was generally smooth, it required a considerable investment of time and effort, generously provided by Professor Hohm, to communicate with prospective contributors and help them fine-tune their work, while also keeping everyone alert to deadlines. For all that went into this project, I am sincerely grateful. The papers are arranged in two rough groupings, the first of which highlights the personal perspectives of their authors, while the second places more emphasis on sociological analysis and the examination of empirical data. There are several themes that unify the papers, especially: (1) what it feels like to be both a committed sociologist and an academic administrator; (2) how sociological training is helpful in performing administrative roles, including working for change within those roles; and (3) how sociological programs look to administrators, including our sociologically trained authors.