A new program at East Tennessee State University builds leaders from within.
ETSU’s inaugural Leadership Academy is underway this fall, to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled leaders from among the university’s faculty and staff who are prepared to drive positive change within their units and departments, the broader university community and the region.
“Through our new Leadership Academy, we aim to nurture and develop the leadership capabilities of our faculty and staff to advance our mission to improve the lives of the people of this region,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “This transformative initiative is designed to cultivate the leadership potential of our participants through a training program grounded in strengths-based adaptive leadership guided by senior leaders at the university.”
In monthly meetings, Leadership Academy members will learn more about key functions of the university from ETSU officials and take part in guided readings, leadership self-assessments, discussions and table-top exercises.
Individually, members will design and track their own personalized leadership development plans and benefit from mentoring. Small teams of Leadership Academy members will tackle specific challenges identified by ETSU’s senior leadership.
In addition, members will travel to Nashville, where they will meet with legislators and state education officials.
Members of the first ETSU Leadership Academy cohort, nominated by their deans and vice presidents, are:
• William Cate, assistant dean of fiscal affairs and administration, Graduate School and University Libraries;
• Dr. Allie Chroust, professor and interim chair, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences;
• O.J. Early, director of content strategy, University Marketing and Communications;
• Dr. Steph Frye-Clark, associate professor, Department of Music, and director, Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, College of Arts and Sciences;
• Dr. Katherine C. Hall, associate professor and associate dean for Undergraduate Programs, College of Nursing;
• Dr. Jill Hayter, professor, Department of Economics and Finance, and associate dean for academics, College of Business and Technology;
• Scott Jeffress, executive director, Roan Scholars Leadership Program; and
• Dr. Jamie Price, associate professor and interim chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Clemmer College of Education and Human Development.
Opportunities for leadership development and personal growth are just one of the many reasons why ETSU is named among The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For®.
