February 16, 2017

SEC ALDP 2016-17 Cohort to be Recognized at Mississippi State

SEC ALDP fellows will hear presentations from current administrators and participate in exercises that examine issues related to discussed focal points.

By: Bryant Welbourne
SECU (Twitter: @TheSECU)

Mississippi State University will host the last SEC-wide workshop for the 2016-17 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP) fellows, Feb. 22-24 in Starkville. The cohort will be recognized on the final day for completing the program.

The SEC ALDP includes a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants and two, three-day SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.

“The workshops are designed to be as interactive as possible, and it is hoped that fellows will graduate from the program having gained a greater appreciation of the leadership challenges academic institutions face in creating and maintaining a conducive college environment for student success,” said Dr. Peter Ryan, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Mississippi State.

SEC ALDP workshops cover a variety of higher education topics. Fellows will hear presentations from current administrators and participate in exercises that examine issues related to discussed focal points.

“The spring workshop places a strong emphasis on the importance of campus leadership when addressing some very pressing issues – namely, cyber security, safety and security of the campus both in and outside of the classroom, and Title IX and Amendment XIV compliance,” said Dr. Ryan. “The program will also focus on budgeting, strategic use of university resources, shared governance and the importance of cooperation among administrative offices on campus.”

The cohort first met at the University of Alabama in October 2016. Topics discussed included diversity and inclusion, the connection between academics and athletics, and university development.

In its ninth year, the goal of the SEC ALDP is to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. To date, more than 300 individuals have completed the program.

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. SECU serves as the primary mechanism through which the collaborative academic endeavors and achievements of SEC universities are promoted and advanced.