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MAC Leadership Fellows

Overview

ߣߣÊÓƵ University has joined with other colleges and universities in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to participate in the Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP). The mission of the MAC ALDP is to identify, develop, prepare and advance faculty as academic leaders in the Mid-American Conference universities. The program provides an opportunity for ߣߣÊÓƵ University faculty to gain valuable knowledge and experience in academic leadership by working closely with select administrators from other colleges and universities in the MAC.

Key outcomes of the program include:

  • Articulate the complexity of the structure and operations within an institution and across institutions;
  • Describe the impact of the external influences on the role of leaders in a higher institution. This should include, but is not limited to, federal/state regulations and mandates, accreditation, and community influence;
  • Identify best practices in academic leadership;
  • Assess one's own leadership potential, including strengths and weaknesses, and identify leadership pathways;
  • Communicate the importance of inclusive excellence.

Up to four outstanding individuals are selected each year to serve as ߣߣÊÓƵ ALDP Fellows under the mentorship of one of the Associate Provosts. The program has two components: (i) a university-level development program led by the Associate Provost, and (ii) participation in a series of MAC-wide workshops including two in-person sessions and monthly virtual sessions. These workshops address topics such as conflict resolution, budgeting, accreditation and shared governance.

The goal of this program is to expose faculty who are interested in administration to the challenges and rewards of institutional service and to prepare them for potential leadership positions within the academy. Whether or not a Fellow ultimately chooses to pursue an administrative position in the future, the program will, at a minimum, provide them with a better appreciation for and understanding of how universities operate.

Selection Process

Academic Deans, Associate Deans, and Department Chairs are invited to nominate individuals for an ADLP Fellowship. Faculty may also submit their own self-nominations by completing the application on their own. To be eligible, a nominee must be a tenured faculty member, and most fellows are in the early stages or contemplating a leadership role. Nominees are expected to possess strong leadership capacities as well as an outstanding record of achievement in their current and past positions, along with an expressed interest in administrative service.

  • The nomination must take the form of a letter, no more than two pages, that describes the leadership qualities of the nominee and elaborates upon his or her contributions to the academic department, unit or division. All who are nominated will be asked to apply. 
  • The deadline for submitting nominations for the 2025-2026 cohort is June 1, 2025.

The Office of the Provost will review all nominating letters and applications and select three to four ߣߣÊÓƵ fellows.

Decisions will be announced by the start of the fall semester.

Fellowship Year

Each fall semester, the Fellow will have the opportunity to meet with the other ߣߣÊÓƵ Fellows and the Associate Provost every 3-4 weeks to discuss relevant professional literature. The spring semester will be devoted to designing and submitting a leadership portfolio and meeting monthly with the associate provost and/or other Fellows. The portfolio will include several leadership artifacts, including a statement of the Fellow's leadership philosophy, C.V., leadership goals as well as reflections on the MAC Workshops. The goal of the portfolio is to assist the Fellow to reflect and gain insight into his or her future leadership goals. The MAC-ALDP Liaisons (who are upper level administrators in other MAC institutions) will provide input on the Fellows' portfolios.

In addition, all Fellows are required to attend the scheduled MAC ALDP Workshops. These workshops are hosted by MAC institutions and will follow a format designed to maximize interaction among the Fellows. Case studies, group discussions and other group activities will be incorporated into the Workshops.

Questions regarding the Academic Leadership Development Program should be directed to Academic Affairs, academicaffairs@miamioh.edu,

  

2025-2026 Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP) Fellows Application Template

Cover Letter

With this application, please include a cover letter that sets forth your interest in being a Fellow and your aspirations for future administrative service. You should also discuss what you hope to gain from the program, including how you expect it to contribute to your career objectives.

History of Service to the University and Profession (brief)

Curriculum Vita

MAC-ALDP Fellows

2017-2018 Fellows

Brooke Flinders, Nursing

Tammy Kernodle, Music

Bryan Marshall, Political Science

2018-2019 Fellows

Graham Cairns, Architecture & Interior Design

Elise Radina, Family Science & Social Work

2019-2020 Fellows

Stacey Lowery Bretz, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Allen McConnell, Psychology

Rick Page, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Susan Spellman, Humanities & Creative Arts

2020-2021 Fellows

William Brink, Accountancy

Marcia England, Geography

Vaishali Raval, Psychology

Brody Ruihley, Sports Leadership & Management

2021-2022 Fellows

Beth Dietz, Psychology and Social & Behavioral Science

Jeremy Jones, Music

Leland Spencer, Interdisciplinary and Communication Studies

Paul Urayama, Physics

2022-2023 Fellows

Michele Frank, Finance

Joel Malin, Educational Leadership

Hongmei Li, Media, Journalism and Film

Thomas Mays, Commerce

2023-2024 Fellows

Adam Beissel, Sports Leadership and Management

Marianne Cotugno, Justice and Community Studies and Languages, Literatures, and Writing

Jeff Kuznekoff, Media, Journalism, and Film and Interdisciplinary and Communication Studies

Haifei Shi, Biology

2024-2025 Fellows

Jason Abbitt, Educational Psychology & Graduate School

Darrel Davis, Educational Psychology

Stephanie Nicely, Nursing

Kyle Timmerman, Kinesiolgy, Nutrition & Health

2025-2026 Fellows

Amanda Alexander, Art

Muhammad Jahan, College of Engineering and Computing

Luis Pradanos-Garcia, Spanish and Portuguese

Jennifer Rode, Nursing

MAC-ALDP Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success 

This award is intended to honor faculty that have demonstrated a dedication to student success. Each nominee must be a full-time faculty member engaged with undergraduate and/or graduate students and demonstrate commitment to the following criteria:

  • Student Success
    • Demonstration of commitment to student success and lifelong learning 
    • Demonstration of predominantly outward focus on student success, rather than inward focus on personal teaching/research success 
    • Demonstration of a commitment to student support and development 
    • Demonstration of enhancements to the student experience (curricular and co-curricular) 
    • Demonstrated excellence in teaching and research, scholarship, and creative activities 
  • Inclusion 
    • Development or support of an inclusive environment/culture 
    • Demonstration of a commitment to inclusion 
    • Active participation in the promotion and educational awareness of inclusion
  • Appreciation for the MAC Core Values including: 
    • Academic Achievement 
    • Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity
    • Fiscal Responsibility 
    • Integrity 
    • Sportsmanship
    • Student-Athlete Well-Being
Nominations should include the following:  
  1. Completed nomination form (attached)
  2. 500-word statement from nominee addressing the criteria 
  3. A current vita – limit 3 pages including the most relevant information/experience related to the award criteria 
  4. Three letters of support 
    • At least one letter must be from a student
    • At least one letter must be from a Dean or Chair/Director  

Deadline: Submit your Nomination(s) via , no later than December 15th.

Contact Us

Office of the Provost
209 Roudebush Hall
501 E. High St., Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-6721
Academic Personnel Center for Teaching Excellence ߣߣÊÓƵ Online MUASAA Office of Liberal Education Office of Institutional Research University Senate