A group photo of the Academic Leadership department at É«É«À²

Academic Leadership Academy

The strength of any organization can be measured by its commitment to encouraging their members to become leaders at every level. With this in mind, the Office of Faculty Development invites all highly engaged, self-motivated, full-time board-appointed faculty, and administrative or professional staff members who are ready to transform into well-rounded leaders to apply for the Academic Leadership Academy.

Since 2008, participants of the Academic Leadership Academy have gained a deeper understanding of themselves and the systems that underpin the University as a whole, walking away with the crucial leadership skills needed to help propel our campus and our community into the future.

Designed with the changing landscape of higher education in mind, the Academic Leadership Academy leverages both practical and experiential approaches that empower participants to:

  • Confidently lead groups or organizations at É«É«À² or elsewhere. 
  • Contribute new perspectives as part of teams in which they are not the designated leader. 
  • Better understand the cultural context of our University and other institutions. 
  • Identify and prioritize challenges and opportunities in realms such as academic, research, economic development, and social justice. 
  • Locate and utilize leadership resources and translate that information into practical application.

The Academic Leadership Academy is a year-long commitment, and those who fully complete the program will qualify for a $300 professional development fund stipend.

The application period for the 2024-2025 Academic Leadership Academy has ended. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact Christopher Sligh or Ramona Lewis

Program Participants

View the of our current year’s participants: 

  • Elissa Allen, Associate Professor and Graduate Programs Coordinator, Bronson School of Nursing
  • Mike Berdowski, Sr. Assistant Director of Operations and Member Services, University Recreation
  • Jessica Birnbaum, Master Faculty Specialist, College of Aviation
  • Monique Haley, Associate Professor of Dance and African American and African Studies, Department of Dance (CFA), and Jointly Appointed in the Department of African American and African Studies (IIAS)
  • , Assoc Dir Advancement Services: Data Architecture and Strategy, Advancement Services/University Advancement
  • Stephen Kaczmarek, Associate Professor, Geological and Environmental Sciences
  • Lynete Lusike Mukhongo, Associate Professor, School of Communication
  • Eric McConnell, University Ombuds, Office of the President
  • Andrea Mellendorf, Assistant Director for the É«É«À² Apartments,Housing and Residence Life - Division of Student Affairs
  • Spencer Myers, Student Success Advisor, CEHD
  • Mark Peter Broeckel, Business Intelligence Analyst/Sr. Systems Specialist, Sindecuse Health Center
  • Trisha Priest, HR Business Partner, Human Resources
  • Colleen Stano, Director of Academic Advising,Haworth College of Business Academic Advising Office
  • Yu-Lien The, Associate Professor of Keyboard Studies, School of Music/College of Fine Arts
  • Marian Tripplett, Faculty Specialist II, School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Zeljka Vidic, Associate Professor/Program Coordinator M.A. Sports Coaching and Undergraduate Sports Coaching Minor, Human Development
  • Lauren Carney, Director, Kalamazoo Promise Scholars Program
  • Sue Ellen Christian, Professor, Communication
  • Glen R. Dillon, Assistant Director, Student Media
  • Danielle Field, Program Manager, Student Professional Readiness Series (SPuRS)
  • Maria Gigante, Associate Professor, English
  • Annette Hamel, Faculty Specialist II, Communication
  • Jennifer Klauth, Manager, Recruitment and Outreach, Social Work
  • Ilana Nash, Associate Professor, Gender and Women's Studies
  • Tyler Payne, Project Manager, OIT
  • Sarah Pratt, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs, OVPR
  • - Professor, Finance and Commerce Law
  • - Coordinator, Faculty Technology Center
  • - Assistant Director of Information Technology, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • -Counseling Specialist II, Sindecuse Health Center, Counseling Services
  • - Executive Assistant, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • - System Specialist Sr., Unified Clinics & Center for Disability Services
  • - Professor, Department of Special Education & Literacy Studies
  • - Senior Director, IT, Student Affairs
  • - Business Manager Associate, College of Arts and Sciences
  • - Associate Professor, Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
  • - Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration
  • Barbara Stevens - Instructional Designer, Extended University Programs
  • - Research Assistant Professor, Director of Science & Mathematics Program Improvement
  • - Career Development Specialist, Career and Student Employment Services
  • Heidi Douglas-Vogley - Master Faculty Specialist, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
  • - Associate Professor, English
  • - Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
  • - Director of Marketing Communications, University Relations
  • - Faculty Specialist II, Educational Leadership, Research and Technology
  • - Instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Philosophy
  • - Engagement Manager, Development and Alumni Relations
  • - Director of IT Services, University Libraries
  • - Director of Research, Evaluation Center
  • Missy Bininger - Manager, Help Desk and Directory Services
  • - Director, Graduate Center for Research and Retention
  • Kristal Ehrhardt - Professor, Special Education Program
  • - Student Success Manager, CEHD
  • - Professor, Speech-Language Pathology
  • - Associate Professor, English
  • - Associate Professor, Special Education Program
  • - Senior Marketing Specialist,Sindecuse
  • - Executive Assistant Senior, Government Affairs & University Relations
  • - Assistant Director, Evaluation Center
  • — CAMP
  • Brian Dubrish — Facilities, Student Affairs
  • Marilyn Kritzman — School of Communications
  • — OVPR
  • — School of Public Administration
  • Patrick Williams — OIT
  • — Anthropology
  • — Residence Life & Student Conduct
  • — School of Communication
  • — Student Affairs Marketing
  • — First Year Experience
  • — Extended University Programs
  • — Lee Honors College
  • Michael Hodgkinson — Facilities Management
  • — Educational Leadership, Research and Technology
  • — University Libraries
  • — Economics
  • — Office of University Relations
  • — Geosciences and Mallinson Institute for Science Education
  • — Office of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Christie A. Gates — Center for English Language and Culture for International Students
  • — University Libraries
  • — Physics
  • Sarah Hurd — Student Activities and Leadership Programs
  • Jason Jach — Office of Institutional Research
  • Adam Newsted — Office of Information Technology
  • — Residence Life Office
  • — Biological Sciences
  • — English
  • Bruce Bejcek - Biological Sciences
  • - Office of the Vice President for Research
  • - Mathematics
  • - Frostic School of Art
  • - Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
  • - Chemistry
  • - Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • - Paper and Chemical Engineering and Imaging
  • - Office of Information Technology
  • Tracy Pattok - Office of Institutional Research
  • Diana Vreeland - Career English Language Culture for International Students
  • Joe Wilson - Extended University Programs- Grand Rapids
  • Cathleen Fuller - Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • Michele Behr - University Libraries
  • - Anthropology
  • - Student Activities and Leadership Programs
  • - Office of Information Technology
  • Scott Garrison - University Libraries
  • Melinda Lockett - College of Health and Human Services
  • Sue Murray - Division of Multicultural Affairs
  • - Haworth College of Business
  • Renee Schwartz - Biological Sciences
  • - Career & Student Employment Services
  • - Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • - Speech Pathology and Audiology
  • - Admissions
  • - College of Health and Human Services
  • Jeanine Bartholomew - College of Health and Human Services
  • - Libraries
  • - Interdisciplinary Health
  • - Industrial and Mechanical Engineering
  • - Parent and Family Programs
  • Joe Kayany - Communication
  • - First Year Experience Programs
  • Stan Pelkey - Music
  • - Extended University Program
  • - School of Social Work
  • - Student Activities and Leadership Program
  • - Counselor Education & Counseling Psychology
  • - Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
  • - Extended University Programs
  • - Business Information Systems
  • Kevin Knutson - Arts & Sciences Advising
  • - Occupational Therapy
  • - College of Aviation
  • - Speech Pathology & Audiology
  • - Student Activities & Leadership Programs
  • - First Year Experience Program
  • - Health, Physical Education & Recreation
  • - Special Education & Literacy Studies
  • - English
  • Barbara Cockrell - University Libraries
  • - Teaching, Learning & Education Studies
  • - Mathematics
  • - Computer Science
  • Stephen B. Malcolm - Biological Sciences
  • - School Social Work
  • - Business Information Systems
  • - School of Social Work
  • Evelyn Winfield - University Counseling & Testing Center