FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Lona Robertson, associate dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, was one of 22 Fellows of the Food Systems Leadership Institute to recently be recognized at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities in Orlando, Florida. 

The Fellows were honored for their accomplishments in completing the institute’s executive leadership development program, and for contributions they have made to their individual organizations, and the broader higher education and food systems. 

The Food Systems Leadership Institute is a two-year program designed for experienced leaders in academia, government and industry. Through a curriculum that includes three executive style residential sessions, individual coaching, mentoring and personal projects, the institute seeks to enhance personal leadership ability, develop skills and knowledge for organizational change, and broaden perspectives on integrated food systems.

“Participating in this program was a great experience,” said Robertson. “Through FSLI, I have had an opportunity to work with leaders at the national and local levels to build and refine my leadership skills and explore opportunities to develop other skills related to food systems.  This will allow me to better serve the Bumpers College and the university. I look forward to creating and building on relationships with others across campus, with our department heads and members of our faculty. It was an honor to complete this program and represent both the college and the university.”

Fellows report that the experience has had a significant impact on their leadership abilities.  Leadership growth can be measured in many different ways, and more than a third of the group has experienced promotions, selection to lead high-profile initiatives, election to university-wide leadership posts and other recognitions. Other Fellows use their enhanced leadership and broader food systems perspectives to lead change from their current positions.  

Robertson was named associate dean in 2011. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Florida State University, and her doctorate in education at Indiana University. She spent 11 years at Oklahoma State University, including five as assistant dean, before joining the Bumpers College faculty as associate professor in apparel merchandising and product development in 2006.

The Food Systems Leadership Institute is a program of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. It was created with financial support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is operated in a partnership between North Carolina State University, Ohio State University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.