A message from Penn State's Academic Leadership Academy (There's just so much I could say.)

Dear JamesCastagnera,
The current economic situation requires institutions to be effective and efficient in the delivery of academic programs. The Academic Leadership Academy at Penn State (Onsite Sessions June 24 to June 28, 2012 and 6 virtual sessions during the 2012-2013 academic year) provides a valuable professional development experience for academic leaders at Rider University. There is clearly a need to hone the leadership and management skills of mid level academic leaders who bridge the gulf between faculty and administration. Department heads, associate deans, deans, and chief academic administrators must hone management and leadership skills to maintain faculty and staff morale, retain good faculty and continue to foster quality educational programs.
To achieve these professional development goals we have brought together a team of successful administrators and faculty for the onsite session. Stanley Ikenberry, President Emeritus of the University of Illinois will present on assessment and learning outcomes. M. Christopher Brown, President of Alcon State University will keynote the academy. Other Faculty include Mary Lou Higgerson, V.P. for Academic Affairs at Baldwin Wallace College; Jo Allen, President Meredith College; Rodney Erickson, President at Penn State, Jason Lane, Associate Professor of Education and Fellow of the Rockefeller Institute of Government at SUNY Albany; Mike Dooris, Director of Planning Research and Assessment at Penn State; and Robert Hendrickson, Professor of Education Interim Director of the Center for the Study of Higher Education and former Department Head and Associate Dean for Research.
Six virtual sessions during the next academic year 2012-2013 will be scheduled on topics selected for their mutual importance by the participants. In the past some examples of topics have included "managing moral and crisis management", "enrollment management", "faculty development", "collaboration across units" among others. The virtual sessions provide a network of academic leaders able to share information and what worked at their institution.
We encourage you to visit the Academy website: http://www.ala.psu.edu and nominate academic leaders from your institution to the Academy. The cost for the full year of the Academy is $3245/ individual and $2,995/individual in a team of 3 or more. Admission to the academy is competitive; based on demand thus far, we expect the available spots to fill early and encourage you to act quickly.
We look forward to working with members of your academic leadership team through Penn State's Academic Leadership Academy.

Robert M. Hendrickson
Interim Director and Senior Scientist
Center for the Study of Higher Education
Penn State University
814 865 9740 office
814 777 7434 mobile
814 865 3638 fax
rmh6@psu.edu