Matthew Ganio, associate dean for academic and student affairs for the College of Education and Health Professions (COEHP), received the SEC ALDP Alumni Fellowship as part of the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (ALDP). This competitive fellowship will allow him to research faculty workloads at an institutional level.

The SEC selects two former SEC ALDP participants to receive the SEC ALDP Alumni Fellowship each year. Ganio was first selected to participate in the SEC ALDP as part of the 2018-19 cohort, and he received the competitive alum fellowship this year as the last phase of his participation in this program. This year is also the first time a University of Arkansas SEC ALDP participant has received this fellowship.

With this fellowship, Ganio will engage with U of A leadership to examine faculty workloads and how factors such as equity, fairness and consistency are implemented in workload assignment and evaluation. Through his research, Ganio will identify areas of strength and improvement and will work with the Provost's Office to provide guidance and recommendations to colleges and academic units throughout campus. Ganio will also visit other SEC universities over the next year to see how they have analyzed their faculty workloads, developed policies and implemented changes at their institutions.

"I'd like to congratulate Dr. Ganio on being selected by the SEC for this important fellowship," said Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Anna Zajicek. "Ganio's analysis of faculty workloads will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to create a holistic picture of all our faculty's daily work and ensure our faculty are adequately recognized and rewarded for their work. This project will also help the university fulfill its strategic goal of being and remaining an employer of choice and provide a roadmap for other SEC institutions to follow."

The SEC ALDP was first created in 2008 to provide growth and career advancement opportunities to SEC university administrators. The program comprises three components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its fellows, two SEC-wide three-day workshops held at specified SEC universities for all program participants, and a competitive alum fellowship, which provides former fellows with additional development opportunities. For more information on the SEC ALDP, visit https://www.thesecu.com/programs/sec-academic-leadership-development-program/.

About Ganio

Ganio has been with the U of A since 2011. Prior to his current role as associate dean, he served as the head of COEHP's Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. He also served as the director of the Exercise Science Research Center, the coordinator of the Fitness for Fun Program and the coordinator for the Exercise Science Internship Program at the U of A.

Since joining the U of A, Ganio has received numerous awards for his teaching, mentorship, research and service. Ganio has received the Faculty Gold Medal, Outstanding Mentor Award, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Teaching, Rising STAR Award and Outstanding Research Award. 

Ganio's research focuses on how cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses may be altered in healthy and patient populations. Specifically, his research interests include the clinical implications of obesity on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses during exercise. In addition, Ganio has published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and has secured more than $500,000 in research grants and fellowships.

Ganio received his doctorate in kinesiology from the University of Connecticut, a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Georgia and a bachelor's degree in exercise science from the University of Georgia.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.