USU to Participate in Pilot Program Aimed to Support Emerging Administrative Leaders

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University is joining two other Utah higher education institutions in the expansion of the University of Utah’s Presidential Leadership Fellows program.

The program, which was launched in 2019, aims to foster talented, emerging leaders with administrative potential and looks 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.

“This program will provide our university’s faculty with professional development opportunities, specifically focused on the understanding of a higher education institution,” said USU President Noelle E. Cockett.

The applicants will participate in training and mentorship sessions with top-level leaders in higher education and will have the opportunity to attend development and leadership activities, aimed at learning and applying new skills while observing how seasoned leaders engage.

The program expansion is made possible by a $1.3 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, which will allow the program to be expanded to USU along with Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College in addition to the University of Utah.

“We look forward to partnering with the University of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, and Weber State University on efforts to boost academic leadership and attract talent from the arts and humanities,” said Joseph Ward, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, who is spearheading USU’s efforts to begin the pilot program. “I’m grateful to President Noelle Cockett for her support and for USU’s participation. It will be exciting to meet new colleagues and learn alongside them as we work together to bring greater representation to academic leadership in our state.”

Nominations and applications for the Presidential Leadership Fellows program are now being accepted and are open until Sept. 20 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. To apply or to nominate a faculty member for the program, visit diversity.utah.edu/leadership-nominations.