USU Providing Faculty, Staff Opportunities for Growth in Equity Leadership

LOGAN, Utah — Six USU faculty and staff members are participating in opportunities that expand their leadership preparation, knowledge and growth. Three USU faculty are participating in the USU Presidential Leadership Fellows program, while three faculty and staff are a part of this year’s New Leadership Academy. These programs are a part of USU’s presidential initiatives to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the Utah State University system.

In August 2022, Utah State University joined in the expansion of the Presidential Leadership Fellows program, thanks to a $1.3 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

The program, which was launched in 2017 at the University of Utah, aims to increase the number of academic leaders from the arts and humanities, specifically those historically excluded and underrepresented from the ranks of chairs, deans, and university presidents. The fellows participate at the top levels of campus leadership; professional and development activities; and mentoring sessions from the president, cabinet members, and other leaders in higher education.

“This program provides a great opportunity for promising faculty and staff to develop their skills and become ready for leadership positions, making our university stronger and more responsive to the needs of our community,” USU President Noelle E. Cockett said.

The 2022-23 cohort of USU Presidential Leadership Fellows are:

• Sara Bakker, associate professor of Music in the Caine College of the Arts
• Darrin Brooks, professor of Interior Architecture & Design in the Caine College of the Arts
• Michaelann Nelson, associate professor of English in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Three USU faculty and staff are also participating in the New Leadership Academy (NLA), housed at the University of Utah. NLA is a nationally recognized leadership development philosophy and program that prepares leaders with the knowledge, tools and courage to meet the complex challenges associated with equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education and beyond.

NLA prepares those in formal and informal leadership positions to lead with equity in their roles. In addition to developing leaders that look like and come from the communities they serve, NLA draws from theory to reframe leadership as a set of skills that can be taught and applied to practice. The New Leadership Academy Fellows program has over 160 Fellows and alumni from over 80 different institutions and organizations.

“These programs provide education around core competencies in higher education leadership and administration and I am glad that our faculty and staff have the opportunity to participate,” said Jane Irungu, USU vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The 2022-23 NLA cohort are:

• Jennifer Duncan, dean of Libraries
• Michelle Holt, director of the USU Inclusion Center
• Richard Walker, associate dean of the Caine College of the Arts

Nominations for the 2023-24 cohort of Presidential Leadership Fellows will open in early Fall. To apply or to nominate a faculty member for the program, visit diversity.utah.edu/leadership-nominations.