猫咪av Little Rock Launches Academic Leadership Academy to Train Emerging Campus Leaders
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has launched the Academic Leadership Academy (ALA), a new initiative supported by the Office of the Provost to cultivate and strengthen academic leadership across campus.
Launched during the 2024-25 academic year, the ALA is a cohort-based program designed to prepare new academic administrators and faculty members interested in leadership roles by offering skill-building workshops, retreats, and peer engagement opportunities.
鈥淭his is a pilot program funded by the provost鈥檚 office to provide in-house training for those starting leadership positions and those interested in leadership opportunities,鈥� said Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, associate dean of the College of Business, Health, and Human Services (CBHHS) and co-leader of the program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of skill-building on how to be a leader and how to be a leader on our campus specifically.鈥�
The ALA is led by Dr. Shannon Collier-Tenison, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, Dr. ten Bensel, associate dean for CBHHS, and Dr. Laura Danforth, co-director of the School of Social Work, who were all drawn into administrative roles during their academic careers and wanted to create a more intentional pathway for emerging leaders.
鈥淭he inspiration for the Academic Leadership Academy stemmed from our own experiences as we transitioned into leadership roles,鈥� Collier-Tenison said. 鈥淓ach individual鈥檚 path to an academic administrative role is different, but there are commonalities in terms of necessary skills and resources that can ease that transition.鈥�
Participants meet monthly for three-hour workshops and attend two half-day retreats throughout the academic year. Sessions focus on topics such as conflict resolution, mentoring, team building, leadership styles, annual reviews, tenure and promotion, data-driven decision-making, and work-life balance.
The inaugural cohort includes nine faculty members from across the university:
- Dr. Matthew Matusiak, associate dean of CBHHS
- Dr. Annie Childers, interim associate dean of the Donaghey College of STEM
- Dr. Joli Livaudais, interim director of the School of Art and Design
- Dr. Katie King, interim co-director of School of Human Inquiry
- Dr. Lindsey Gustafson, associate dean for academic support at the William H. Bowen School of Law
- Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, director of the School of Criminal Justice
- Dr. Neveen Amin, interim co-director of School of Human Inquiry
- Dr. Qingfang He, chair of the Department of Biology
- Dr. Yue Zhao, chair of the Department of Management, Marketing, and Technology
Dr. Annie Childers, an associate professor of mathematics, said she joined the program to intentionally develop her leadership skills as her responsibilities increased.
鈥淭he academy has helped me better understand my leadership style and how to leverage my strengths while being more mindful of areas for growth,鈥� Childers said. 鈥淥ne of the most valuable takeaways has been the emphasis on reflective practice鈥攖aking time to pause, evaluate, and adjust. This has allowed me to lead with more empathy, adaptability, and purpose.鈥�
The idea for the academy grew from the shared experiences of its founders, who saw a need for more intentional leadership development on campus.
鈥淎t most universities, the people who show what are considered leadership qualities are ushered into permanent or interim administrative positions,鈥� Danforth said. 鈥淔or us, we would have loved something like this earlier in our careers. We bring information we鈥檝e learned along the way, but we鈥檝e also learned a great deal from the participants. It鈥檚 been a transactional, collaborative experience.鈥�
Dr. Lindsey Gustafson, Nadine Baum Professor of Law at Bowen, said she valued the program鈥檚 structure and insights.
鈥淎ny leadership skills I鈥檝e developed have been through trial and error,鈥� Gustafson said. 鈥淭his training was thoughtfully conceived and executed to provide us with information and support. I also improved my leadership vocabulary鈥攗nderstanding better what is happening around me and why everyone involved may be responding in certain ways.鈥�
In addition to developing individual leadership skills, the program鈥檚 cohort model aims to create a supportive community that continues beyond the academy.
鈥淲hen you go into a leadership position, it can be a lonely transition,鈥� ten Bensel said. 鈥淥ur hope is that each cohort bonds and can share advice with each other throughout their careers.鈥�
Planning is underway for the 2025-26 cohort, which will focus on faculty who are not currently in administrative roles but are interested in academic leadership. Interested faculty should contact their college dean鈥檚 office for more information.
鈥淲e are all appreciative of the provost鈥檚 support,鈥� Danforth said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been such an enriching experience for all of us, and we look forward to seeing how the program continues to evolve.鈥�