U of A Administrators Participate in Leadership Development Program

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From left, top, Angie Maxwell and Matthew Ganio; bottom, Steven Beaupre and Jennie Popp.

Four University of Arkansas administrators received an in-depth look at the innerworkings of the U of A and Southeastern Conference when they participated in this year's SEC Academic Leadership Development Program.

Steven Beaupre, associate dean in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences; Matthew Ganio, head of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation; Angie Maxwell, director of the Diane D. Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society; and Jennie Popp, associate dean in the Honors College, joined nearly 50 others from across the SEC in participating.

The goal of the program is to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has two components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own fellows and two SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.

In the university-level development program, U of A participants heard from administrators across the university discussing their diverse roles on campus to give participants a broader perspective of institutional operations.

The SEC workshops — held this year at the University of Tennessee and the University of Kentucky — discussed broader issues and challenges facing higher education.

"On each site visit, campus administrators prepared data analytics presentations that revealed trends in key measures such as enrollment, retention, research expenditures and fundraising that provided an enlightening, macro view of higher education," Maxwell said. "Getting to spend time with my fellow participants from the U of A outside of our regular interactions on campus confirmed to me just how devoted many of my colleagues are to the principles of higher education."

Ganio found the program helpful for his development as an administrator.

"The SEC Academic Leadership Program provides insight into not only the different parts of the University of Arkansas, but also how other SEC schools operate," Ganio said. "By understanding more about the different facets of operations and leadership styles, I am able to be more informed and reflective on how I do my job."

Since its creation in 2008, more than 300 faculty and academic administrators across the conference have completed the program, and program alumni have taken leadership roles as deans and provosts, among other senior-level positions, at universities around the SEC and country.

"The ALDP is a vital component of our efforts to develop our faculty and ensure continuity of passionate leadership in the ranks of our campus," said Jim Coleman, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. "We are proud to participate in this program and look forward to seeing the future successes of our program graduates."

"The Academic Leadership Development Program is one of the many bright spots of my job," said Ro Di Brezzo, vice provost for faculty affairs. "It's a privilege to work with our faculty at such a different level and intensity, and it's a refreshing reminder of the great resource we have in our faculty here on campus."

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC supports and promotes the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty at its 14 member universities.