U of A Faculty Members Chosen for Academic Leadership Program

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Four University of Arkansas faculty members have been selected as fellows of the 2013-14 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program, a part of SECU, the conference’s academic initiative.   

The faculty members are:

• Yvette Murphy-Erby, director of the School of Social Work in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
• Michael T. Kidd, department head of the poultry science department in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
• Kate Mamiseishvili, interim department head of the department of rehabilitation, human resources and communication disorders in the College of Education and Health Professions
• Rajiv Sabherwal, department chair of the information systems department in the Sam M. Walton College of Business

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. This year a total of 49 faculty and administration members were selected to take part in the program. It was established in 2008 to foster academic leadership among SEC faculty and administrators by allowing them the unique opportunity to address the challenges of academic administration at major research universities.

The program has two components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants; and a pair of three-day, SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.

This year’s workshops will be held October 14-16 at the University of Georgia in Athens, and February 5-7, 2014 at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

“The individuals selected by their SEC universities to participate in the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program represent the future of higher education administration,” said Torie Johnson, SECU Executive Director. “The leadership skills they already possess are sure to be enhanced by this experience.”

The goals of the SECU initiative include highlighting the endeavors and achievements of SEC faculty and universities; advancing the merit and reputation of SEC universities outside of the traditional SEC region; identifying and preparing future leaders for high-level service in academia; increasing the amount and type of education abroad opportunities available to SEC students; and providing opportunities for collaboration among SEC university personnel.