Three UT faculty members have been named fellows to participate in the second year of the new Mid-American Conference Academic Leadership Development Program.
The program was created to identify, develop, prepare and advance faculty as leaders in the colleges and universities that are members of the Mid-American Conference. Fellows participating in the program have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working closely with select administrators from other colleges and universities in the MAC.
Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said, “Leadership development is an important part of faculty professional development and faculty success, and The University of Toledo is committed to providing these exceptional leadership opportunities for our faculty.”
Fellows for the 2018-19 academic year are:
• Dr. Cyndee Gruden, interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and professor of civil and environmental engineering;
• Dr. Jason Huntley, associate professor of medical microbiology and immunology; and
• Dr. Kristen Keith, associate professor of economics, assistant to the executive vice president for finance and administration/chief financial officer, and faculty associate.
Last year, two UT faculty members participated in the inaugural year of the MAC Academic Leadership Development Program: Holly Monsos, professor of theatre and associate dean of the College of Arts and Letters, and Dr. Amy Thompson, professor of public health and interim associate vice provost for faculty affairs.
All tenured faculty with experience in administrative leadership and service were eligible to apply for the MAC Academic Leadership Development Program. Candidates needed to submit a letter of support from their dean, as well as an application and curriculum vitae for consideration.
“Our fellows will participate in a development program with UT leaders to gain valuable insight and experience,” Hsu said. “In addition, they will work with administrators and peers from MAC member institutions to better understand how universities operate.”
All MAC Academic Leadership Development Program fellows will attend one three-day workshop each semester. Topics to be addressed include budgeting, conflict resolution, accreditation and accountability.
“Thanks to this program, our fellows will see firsthand the challenges and rewards of institutional service as they prepare for potential leadership positions,” Hsu said. “This is an excellent opportunity to advance academic leadership among our faculty at UT.”
Read more about the MAC Academic Leadership Development Program here.
