Faculty Leadership Year I - AY 2023/24

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What is FLY?

The Faculty Leadership Year (FLY) is a professional development opportunity for mid-level faculty (associate rank and above) as well as full-time instructors who have been at WKU for at least six years. FLY is designed for those interested in exploring or pursuing academic leadership roles within their college or the university as a next step in their career.  The program is founded on the principles of improving student success and increasing knowledge and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusive practices.  FLY is offered in two independent phases.

 

Phase I takes place over the course of one academic year, September – May, meeting once or twice a month on Fridays from 1-3:30.  The program covers seven areas of academic leadership for student success including:

• Conflict Resolution (Facilitated by Drs. Drummond and Hale)
• Teambuilding and Teamwork (Facilitated by Amy Goodson – Continuing Professional Development)
• Resource Allocation and Management (Facilitated by Deans T. Brown and C. Murphy)
• Root-Cause Analysis and Problem-Solving Strategies (Facilitated by Drs. DeSander and Kerby)
• Data-Informed Decision-Making
• Change Agency and Tipping Point of Change (Facilitated by Deans T. Basta and D. Brown)
• Managing Student Success (Facilitated by Drs. Fischer and Dumančić)
• Group Project Presentations

All program topics include an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).  For each session, participants are provided tailored readings in advance for each session and a case study approach to examine each topic.  Sessions include some lecture, interactive activities, and an analysis and discussion for the topical case study.  Phase I culminates with a group project using the tools and learning objectives from each session to develop a capstone project focused on student success and DEI.  Each session concludes with a light lunch and networking opportunity for the presenters and participants.

 

Phase II of FLY is a 10-month department or college-sponsored project-based learning experience beginning in August 2024 for those participants who wish to continue building their academic leadership capacity.  Participants in Phase II work with their Department Chair and/or Dean to identify a problem of practice that would measurably improve student success and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within their academic program, department, or college. The participants will meet monthly to discuss recent trends in higher education and share progress on their projects. Phase II culminates in May 2025 with participants presenting their project outcomes, reflections and recommendations for next steps. This phase will have a separate application process and will be open only to those who completed Phase I.

 

Applications for Faculty Leadership Year Experience are being accepted through June 1 at 5pm. The application form is available here. You can review all the application questions through this link without being required to submit.

All applications will be reviewed beginning June 1 and participants will be notified of acceptance no later than June 10.

For any questions, please contact Drs. DeSander and Dumančić (marguerita.desander@wku.edu, marko.dumancic@wku.edu)