February 27, 2020

2019-2020 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Concludes at Florida

SEC ALDP fellows and liaisons participating in case studies during their spring workshop at UF.

By: SEC Staff
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

Recently, more than 50 early career administrators were honored for their completion of the 2019-2020 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP). The recognition ceremony, during which SEC ALDP participants received certificates and commemorative photos, occurred on the last day of the spring workshop at the University of Florida.

The SEC ALDP has served to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond since 2013. It has three components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants (i.e., fellows); two SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows.

“Sharing time and space with leaders of other SEC universities through the SEC ALDP has been transformative in my professional growth,” said Dr. Heather Brandt, Associate Dean of the University of South Carolina Graduate School. “I have been able to learn about successes and challenges at other SEC universities and work with my cohort to understand how we can better serve our institution and, more importantly, our students in the future.”

This spring’s workshop was facilitated by Dr. Chris J. Hass, Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs at Florida, who also serves as the university’s SEC ALDP liaison. In attendance were more than 60 program fellows and liaisons representing each university in the Southeastern Conference. The three-day event allowed participants to hear from administrators like UF President, Dr. Kent Fuchs and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joe Glover.

Day one began with a brief UF Career Connections networking session, included a “Fireside Chat” with President Fuchs, and concluded with dinner in the Harrell Medical Education Building. The next day, fellows and liaisons worked through case studies regarding free speech and expression on campuses. Additional presentations covered topics like space and landscape planning and the land grant mission. Dinner and a learning opportunity were available at the university’s IFAS Beef Teaching Unit.

The last workshop day featured concurrent panel discussions, one composed of central university administrators and one composed of associate deans. The entire experience concluded with the fellows’ recognition ceremony.

“It was great to learn how each SEC university approaches various areas of leadership on their campuses,” said Dr. Nichelle Robinson, Diversity Officer for the University of Mississippi School of Education. “I also enjoyed getting to know the other SEC fellows, to understand their journey to leadership and their ‘why.’ I was able to relate a lot of their experiences to similar ones on my campus.”

Before meeting at the University of Florida, fellows and liaisons participated in similar workshop experiences at Vanderbilt University last fall.

Click here for a full list of the 2019-2020 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program fellows.