Three Faculty Selected for Academic Leadership Development Program

Provost Sharon Gaber has announced three new Fellows to participate in the academic leadership program sponsored by the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium. Kim Needy, chair of industrial engineering and 21st Century Professor of Industrial Engineering; Fran Hagstrom, chair of rehabilitation, human resources and communication disorders; and Chaim Goodman-Strauss, chair of mathematical sciences, have been named the 2010-11 SECAC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows.

The program, in its third year of operation, was an early initiative of the leadership of the academic consortium. The program identifies and mentors the next generation of leaders in higher education among universities in the southeastern region. Fellows participate in two regional workshops as well as in programs specific to each campus over the course of the academic year. The program is coordinated by Vice Provost Kathy Van Laningham. It is modeled on a successful program developed by the Big Ten academic consortium.

The three individuals participating in the program this year are relatively new to their roles as departmental chairs.

Kim LaScola Needy is department chair and 21st Century Professor of Industrial Engineering in the College of Engineering. She received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Wichita State University. Prior to her academic appointment, she gained significant industrial experience while working at PPG Industries and the Boeing Company. She is a licensed professional engineer in Kansas. Needy joined the University of Arkansas in August, 2008 as department head.

Fran Hagstrom is an associate professor of communication disorders and department head for rehabilitation, human resources, and communication disorders in the College of Education and Health Professions. She received her B.A. degree in speech from Southwest Baptist University, her M.A. in speech from St. Louis University, an M.S. in language sciences from University of Texas Health Center, and she earned her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Clark University. As an interdisciplinary scholar, Hagstrom has collaborated with researchers in sociology, disability studies, computer and software engineering, literature, and education. She was appointed department chair in August after serving a year as the interim chair.

Chaim Goodman-Strauss is a professor of mathematics with specialties in geometric topology and discrete geometry and chair of the department of mathematical sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts ans Sciences. He obtained his B.S. and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin, coming to the University of Arkansas in 1994. His diverse publications and activities include papers in the two top mathematics journals, a popular mathematics podcast, sculpture commissions and mathematically inspired environmental art installations. In 2009-10, he piloted the course Mathematical Thought, specifically designed to engage liberal arts students in the interdisciplinary creation of mathematical exposition and materials, as a demonstration of his vision of what a core curriculum course can be. Goodman-Strauss was appointed department chair in July 2008.

"SECAC ALDP Fellows represent the strength, talent and energy of the faculty at the University of Arkansas. I could not be more pleased with the group and appreciate their interest and willingness to participate. They are excellent representatives of the university and its academic leaders,” said Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs."

The Fellows, who received strong recommendations from their deans, were selected through a nomination process among chairs who have been recently appointed in their departments. The three will attend workshops, along with SEC colleagues, at Louisiana State University in October and at Mississippi State University in February.