Man presenting

Academic Leadership Academy

The strength of any organization can be measured by its commitment to encouraging their members to become leaders at every level. With this in mind, the Office of Faculty Development invites all highly engaged, self-motivated, full-time board-appointed faculty, and administrative or professional staff members who are ready to transform into well-rounded leaders to apply for the Academic Leadership Academy.

Since 2008, participants of the Academic Leadership Academy have gained a deeper understanding of themselves and the systems that underpin the University as a whole, walking away with the crucial leadership skills needed to help propel our campus and our community into the future.

Designed with the changing landscape of higher education in mind, the Academic Leadership Academy leverages both practical and experiential approaches that empower participants to:

  • Confidently lead groups or organizations at WMU or elsewhere. 
  • Contribute new perspectives as part of teams in which they are not the designated leader. 
  • Better understand the cultural context of our University and other institutions. 
  • Identify and prioritize challenges and opportunities in realms such as academic, research, economic development, and social justice. 
  • Locate and utilize leadership resources and translate that information into practical application.

The Academic Leadership Academy is a year-long commitment, and those who fully complete the program will qualify for a $300 professional development fund stipend.

The application period for the 2024-2025 Academic Leadership Academy has ended. If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact Christopher Sligh or Ramona Lewis

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
  • Jessica Birnbaum, Master Faculty Specialist, College of Aviation
  • 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
  • William Charland - Frostic School of Art
  • 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