Staff and faculty from the 2024-25 ALA cohort

Academic Leadership Academy

An organization’s strength lies in its ability to cultivate leaders at every level. Since 2008, the Academic Leadership Academy (ALA) at Western Michigan University has helped participants develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the systems that support the University. Graduates leave equipped with essential leadership skills to help advance our campus and community.

The Office of Faculty Development invites applications from highly engaged self-motivated individuals ready to grow as well-rounded leaders. Eligible applicants include:

  • Full-time, board-appointed tenured faculty 
  • Administrative or advanced professional staff with demonstrated leadership potential 

Program Overview

Designed with today’s evolving higher education landscape in mind, the ALA combines practical and experiential learning to help participants: 

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context of our University and other institutions 
  • Identify and prioritize challenges and opportunities in higher education 
  • Develop skills to lead at WMU or in higher education 
  • Contribute perspectives as team members, even without formal leadership roles 
  • Apply leadership resources to translate knowledge into action 

The Academic Leadership Academy reflects WMU’s commitment to growing faculty and staff leadership. This year-long professional development experience is designed as a collaborative learning community, requiring active engagement and an openness to learning. Participants meet in-person, monthly, complete pre-meeting reading activities, engage in dialogue during monthly in-person meetings, complete mini-leadership experiential activities between sessions, and submit reflective materials.  

Applications for the 2025–26 cohort are due September 8.  

Applicants are notified by September 16. The first session is on September 29.

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to contact Dr. Ramona Lewis, director of the Office of Faculty Development. 

Program Participants

View the bios of our current year’s participants: 

  • Elissa Allen, Associate Professor and Graduate Programs Coordinator, Bronson School of Nursing
  • Mike Berdowski, Sr. Assistant Director of Operations and Member Services, University Recreation
  • Monique Haley, Associate Professor of Dance and African American and African Studies, Department of Dance (CFA), and Jointly Appointed in the Department of African American and African Studies (IIAS)
  • Lisa Johnson, Assoc Dir Advancement Services: Data Architecture and Strategy, Advancement Services/University Advancement
  • Stephen Kaczmarek, Associate Professor, Geological and Environmental Sciences
  • Lynete Lusike Mukhongo, Associate Professor, School of Communication
  • Eric McConnell, University Ombuds, Office of the President
  • Andrea Mellendorf, Assistant Director for the WMU Apartments,Housing and Residence Life - Division of Student Affairs
  • Spencer Myers, Student Success Advisor, CEHD
  • Mark Peter Broeckel, Business Intelligence Analyst/Sr. Systems Specialist, Sindecuse Health Center
  • Trisha Priest, HR Business Partner, Human Resources
  • Colleen Stano, Director of Academic Advising,Haworth College of Business Academic Advising Office
  • Yu-Lien The, Associate Professor of Keyboard Studies, School of Music/College of Fine Arts
  • Marian Tripplett, Faculty Specialist II, School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Zeljka Vidic, Associate Professor/Program Coordinator M.A. Sports Coaching and Undergraduate Sports Coaching Minor, Human Development
  • Lauren Carney, Director, Kalamazoo Promise Scholars Program
  • Sue Ellen Christian, Professor, Communication
  • Glen R. Dillon, Assistant Director, Student Media
  • Danielle Field, Program Manager, Student Professional Readiness Series (SPuRS)
  • Maria Gigante, Associate Professor, English
  • Annette Hamel, Faculty Specialist II, Communication
  • Jennifer Klauth, Manager, Recruitment and Outreach, Social Work
  • Ilana Nash, Associate Professor, Gender and Women's Studies
  • Tyler Payne, Project Manager, OIT
  • Sarah Pratt, Associate Director, Research and Sponsored Programs, OVPR
  • Onur Arugaslan - Professor, Finance and Commerce Law
  • Gwen A. Bostic - Coordinator, Faculty Technology Center
  • Jon Collier - Assistant Director of Information Technology, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • Sarah Good -Counseling Specialist II, Sindecuse Health Center, Counseling Services
  • Laura Large - Executive Assistant, Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • David Longjohn - System Specialist Sr., Unified Clinics & Center for Disability Services
  • Susan V. Piazza - Professor, Department of Special Education & Literacy Studies
  • Peter Poggione - Senior Director, IT, Student Affairs
  • Stephanie Radant - Business Manager Associate, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Glinda Rawls - Associate Professor, Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
  • Daniela Schroeter - Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration
  • Barbara Stevens - Instructional Designer, Extended University Programs
  • Cody Williams - Research Assistant Professor, Director of Science & Mathematics Program Improvement
  • Christie A. Gates — Center for English Language and Culture for International Students
  • Edward Eckel — University Libraries
  • Charles Henderson — Physics
  • Sarah Hurd — Student Activities and Leadership Programs
  • Jason Jach — Office of Institutional Research
  • Adam Newsted — Office of Information Technology
  • Roshona Porter — Residence Life Office
  • David Rudge — Biological Sciences
  • Gwen Tarbox — English
  • Bruce Bejcek - Biological Sciences
  • Diana Berkshire Hearit - Office of the Vice President for Research
  • Christine Browning - Mathematics
  • Lonnie Duncan - Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
  • David Huffman - Chemistry
  • Shashanta James - Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Andrew Kline - Paper and Chemical Engineering and Imaging
  • Thomas Lynema - Office of Information Technology
  • Tracy Pattok - Office of Institutional Research
  • Diana Vreeland - Career English Language Culture for International Students
  • Joe Wilson - Extended University Programs- Grand Rapids
  • Cathleen Fuller - Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • Michele Behr - University Libraries
  • Robert Anemone - Anthropology
  • Kate Bates - Student Activities and Leadership Programs
  • Fawn Callen - Office of Information Technology
  • Scott Garrison - University Libraries
  • Melinda Lockett - College of Health and Human Services
  • Sue Murray - Division of Multicultural Affairs
  • Caroline Ray - Haworth College of Business
  • Renee Schwartz - Biological Sciences
  • Christopher Sell - Career & Student Employment Services
  • Rebecca Solomon - Haenicke Institute for Global Education
  • Stephen Tasko - Speech Pathology and Audiology
  • Jodi Ward - Admissions
  • Janet Hahn - College of Health and Human Services