March 15, 2024
Photo by Hanna Caldwell
In February, the University of Missouri hosted 75 academic leaders and representatives for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP)’s spring workshop. The leadership development program aims to prepare faculty for senior leadership positions within the SEC and beyond.
While they were on campus, participants attended panel discussions on how MU promotes faculty success, the implementation of MizzouForward, and various leadership topics, such as working with media and government relations. While in Columbia, attendees also toured campus and athletic facilities and attended a dinner with University of Missouri President Mun Choi and Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matt Martens.
“The three days of hosting the SEC ALDP program provided space for the fellows to learn and talk about issues facing current leaders in higher education,” said Candace Kuby, associate provost for faculty success at MU. “I heard numerous times that fellows were grateful that the SEC provides a forum for academic leaders to gather and share ideas across our universities.”
Catherine Rymph, dean of the MU Honors College, and one of MU’s 2023-24 ALDP fellows, said she appreciated hearing information on media and government relations, because leaders rely on others in their team to provide support when faced with challenges.
“I hope the ALDP fellows took away from the spring workshop strategies for faculty recruitment and retention, and where relevant, skills for building successful relationships with their state legislators and the media that support the research and teaching missions of their institutions,” said Sheri-Marie Harrison, associate dean of graduate studies and faculty success in the MU College of Arts and Science and a current MU SEC ALDP fellow.
Harrison said that one of her favorite things about working at Mizzou is the encouragement she has received to participate in professional development. The SEC ALDP fosters a similar community of cohorts that supports leadership growth in one another.
Apply to be an ALDP Fellow Read more from the Office of the Provost
