President's Leadership Academy Funded for 2nd Year, Soliciting Nominations

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University has announced the continuation of the President’s Leadership Academy for a second year. The initiative, which helps prepare faculty who are seeking to enter leadership positions, was established at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.

The academy is hosted by the Center for Empowering Teaching Excellence, or ETE. The continuation of the academy solidifies the university’s commitment in the cultivation and training of strong leaders and addresses the real-world demands of higher education administration.

“The President’s Leadership Academy exemplifies a forward-thinking, holistic approach to leadership development at USU,” said Chris Babits, associate director of Educational Initiatives & Innovation for ETE. “By collaboratively designing the curriculum with professors Sara Bakker, Darrin Brooks and Michaelann Nelson, we ensured that every session equips participants with the practical knowledge and skills required to excel as transformative leaders. We are proud to foster a culture of belonging and resilience, where emerging leaders can develop the confidence, creativity and compassion needed to guide our university community into the future.”

The professional development program was created to give faculty members the opportunity to develop and hone skills necessary to excel in administrative roles such as department heads, associate deans and beyond, bridging the gap between academic expertise and effective university administration. Academy fellows meet monthly as well as participate in interactive learning modules hosted on Canvas.

By the end of the one-year fellowship, participants gain insights on applying various leadership styles, navigating the political dynamics in higher education, making informed budget decisions, understanding university operations and much more.

USU faculty members interested in participating in next year’s President’s Leadership Academy are encouraged to speak with their respective college deans to inquire about being nominated. Each college dean can nominate up to two faculty members to be fellows each year.

For more information about the President’s Leadership Academy or to inquire about nominations, contact Chris Babits (chris.babits@usu.edu).

Testimonials From This Year’s Cohort

Mateja Savoie Roskos, associate dean for Academic Programs and Student Services in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences: "Participating in the Utah State University President's Leadership Academy has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Throughout the program, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with driven peers, refine my leadership skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that impact our campus community.

“The diverse workshops, mentorship opportunities, and real-world applications have deepened my understanding of college and university leadership, while encouraging me to think critically about the evolving challenges and opportunities in higher education. The President’s Leadership Academy is a clear example of the university’s commitment to developing USU’s leaders of tomorrow."

Chris R. Bolander, professional practice assistant professor in the College of Engineering: “The President’s Leadership Academy is really doing several things right and I have loved being a part of it. Bringing leaders from all angles and across the University into the same room and having them process through the challenges that face higher education has been an incredible experience. Perhaps most valuable, and necessary, is that we have been able to spend an extensive amount of time understanding the culture and struggles of those in similar and dissimilar organizations around the University. The friends, colleagues, and mentors in this group are a delight to learn from.”

PLA Program Highlights

Monthly Meetings: Faculty fellows participate in discussions, share insights and experiences, and build a support network of future leaders. Sessions alternate between in-person and virtual formats.

Structured Learning Modules: Delivered through Canvas, these interactive modules cover key topics such as leadership styles, financial decision-making, fundraising, legal aspects of higher education, crisis management, and more.

Learning Circles: Participants will sign up for two learning circles, with reading options focused on leadership development.