- About Western Carolina
- Leadership
- Office of the Chancellor
- Senior Leadership Fellows Program
Senior Leadership Fellows Program
The first SLFP cohort in 2022
Summary
Western Carolina University’s Senior Leadership Fellows Program is a ‘grow our own’ professional development experience that aims to build a diverse cohort of campus leaders who are ready for the challenges and opportunities of senior leadership roles. Unlike other professional development opportunities, the program specifically aims to develop senior academic and administrative leaders. The program provides practical and applicable content and addresses the significant challenges of recruiting and retaining a diverse array of prepared and competent senior leaders at a rural-serving, regional university. The program is formed around a calendar year cohort model with a mandatory, culminating week-long bus tour that highlights and emphasizes WCU's commitment to its region.
Description
Western Carolina University’s Senior Leadership Fellows Program began in January 2022 with an inaugural class of eight faculty members and eight administrative staff from across the University. Now in its third year, the program is a joint effort between the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of the Provost and is led by the university's chief of staff and vice provost. The program is designed as an investment in a ‘grow our own’ experience to build a diverse cohort of campus leaders who are ready for the challenges and opportunities of senior leadership roles and reflects the University’s Honoring Our Promise Strategic Plan (employee and inclusive excellence)
The program is designed to provide practical and applicable content in becoming a senior academic or administrative leader. Program Fellows explore topics related to budgeting and funding, institutional governance and structure, crisis leadership and conflict management, institutional identity, and executive leadership perspectives. Fellows are also required to participate in the annual WCU regional leadership tour, a week-long bus trip throughout Western North Carolina that showcases WCU's commitment to its region and community outreach. Additionally, Fellows are provided opportunities to attend system and institutional level board meetings, and other specialized training and events.
A typical schedule of the program includes:
- A program orientation prior to start of the program in January.
- Six (6) three-hour sessions, including lunch, on topics facilitated by experienced senior administrators and held over the course of the year excluding summer.
- A Spring debrief in April and a December wrap up-social hosted by the Chancellor.
- A regional coach tour immediately following spring commencement in May. Five days, 8a to 5p, throughout Western North Carolina; orientation reception held in April.
- Attendance at participants’ choice of at least one WCU Board of Trustees meeting.
- Real world case scenarios and relevant assigned readings for discussion in the monthly sessions.
- Select number of other special opportunities, including lunch and learn sessions, and invitations to key partner events to represent WCU and network.
Fellows are nominated by their dean or division head and final participants are chosen by a selection committee comprised of faculty and staff, including members of the prior year cohort. The selection committee balances the 16-member cohort between eight faculty and eight staff positions and division affiliation and ensures that a range of diverse perspectives and experiences are represented in the final cohort.
- Alison Joseph, business intelligence/data analyst, Information Technology
- Charlie Parrish, director, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality & Tourism, Marketing, Sports Management
- Charmion Rush, associate professor, School of Teaching and Learning
- Drew Virtue, asst department head/assoc. professor, English Studies
- Heidi Buchanan, associate dean, Hunter Library
- Jenny Stewart, director of student success, College of Education and Allied Professions
- Karen Price, director, Assessment
- Morgan Burnett, budget director and interim Controller, Finance and Administration
- Terri Durbin, director, School of Nursing
- Theresa Cruz Paul, director, Center for Career and Professional Development
- Trisha Ray, HR consultant, Human Resources and Payroll
- Yue Hillon, distinguished professor, Accounting, Finance, Info. Systems, Business Law
- Brandon MacCallum, director, Campus Recreation and Wellness
- Heather Baker, assistant legal counsel, Office of Legal Counsel and Institutional Integrity
- Paul Yanik, associate professor, School of Engineering and Technology
- Scott Huffman, associate professor, Chemistry
- Tory DePew, department head, School of Stage and Screen
- Alvin Malesky, professor, department of Psychology
- Ericka Zimmerman, director, School of Health Sciences
- Annaleise Camacho, director, Residence Life
- Kelly Tornow, associate general counsel, Office of Legal Counsel and Institutional Integrity
- Bruce Barker, director of purchasing
- Evelyn Rucker, director, Intercultural Affairs
- Scott Eldredge, department head, department of communications
- Kelly Tracy, director, School of Teaching and Learning
- Ben Pendry, assistant vice chancellor, Advancement
- Kloo Hanson, director, Office of Research Administration
- Chesney Reich, director, Writing and Learning Commons
- Ingrid Bego, associate professor, Political Science
- Andy Ritenour, associate professor, School of Engineering and Technology
- Sean Mulholland, professor, College of Business School of Economics, Management, and Project Management
- Betsy Aspinwall, associate dean of students, Student Affairs
- Heather Mae Erickson, associate professor, School of Art and Design
- Mary Fischer, associate director of advising, Academic Affairs
- Nancy Ford, director of employee relations, Talent Acquisition and Management, Human Resources and Payroll
- Mariano Garrido-Lopez, director of graduate programs/associate professor, College of Business
- Ivy Gibson, associate general counsel, Legal Services
- Carmen Huffman, associate dean/associate professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Wes Milner, Global Engagement
- Amy Murphy-Nugen, associate professor, Social Work
- Kyle Pifer, deputy athletics director, Catamount Athletics
- Benny Smith, executive director of communications and marketing, University Communications and Marketing
- Darius Stanley, assistant professor, School of Teaching and Learning (Note: Darius departed WCU and is no longer here or participating)
- Robert Walker, director of campus services, Student Affairs
- Y. Wang, associate dean/professor, College of Health and Human Sciences
- Yanjun Yan, associate professor, School of Engineering and Technology
- Katie Zejdlik, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology and Sociology