The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP) seeks to identify and develop from within the SEC the next generation of academic leaders. The SEC ALDP fosters academic leadership among SEC faculty and early career administrators by providing them a unique opportunity to learn and understand the goals, challenges, and rewards of academic leadership. Through two SEC-wide workshops and local university programming, SEC ALDP fellows acquire skills and knowledge from current SEC administrators who discuss with them their perspectives on leadership and its role on their campuses.
Current UTK SEC ALDP Fellows | 2023 – 2024 |
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| Derek Alderman Professor Department of Geography & Sustainability |
Michael Higdon Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor College of Law |
Sharon Jean-Philippe Faculty Director of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships School of Natural Resources |
Amber Roessner Professor and Faculty Senate President School of Journalism & Media |
Program Goals
The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program goal is to be proactive in preparing faculty and early career administrators for high-level service in academia by providing for the following learning opportunities during the SEC-wide workshops and/or campus programming activities:
- Stimulating academic leaders to think critically about the future of the academy.
- Increasing knowledge and understanding of academic leadership in the 21st century.
- Embracing the strength inherent in creating diverse and inclusive academic communities.
- Developing the managerial and organizational skills required to lead complex, diverse, and inclusive organizations.
- Improving the general leadership skills and abilities of academic leaders.
In addition, the program seeks to:
- Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion among academic leaders.
- Create a qualified, skilled, and diverse pool of candidates for academic leadership positions.
- Advance faculty and academic administrators.
- Improve institutional faculty leadership.
Program Audience
The audience for this program includes academic administrators, such as:
- Department leadership (e.g., chairs and heads, associate and assistant chairs and heads)
- College leadership (e.g., associate and assistant deans, deans)
- Central administration (e.g., vice provosts)
UTK also typically reserves one spot for Faculty Senate leadership.
Participation Expectations
Fellows are committing to a one-year program and are expected to attend all activities, including:
- Engage in local professional development activities with other participants throughout the year at UTK
- Attend, participate, and be fully engaged in both SEC-wide workshops
- Travel with the university group of fellows and liaison to both SEC-wide workshops
- Attend, participate, and be fully engaged in local campus program and all activities
- Read any and all SEC ALDP preparatory materials
- Provide SEC ALDP assessment and feedback
- After completing the SEC ALDP, maintain an accurate profile in the SEC ALDP alumni database
Past Fellows
The Office of the Provost sponsors several events each year to bring past fellows together for fellowship and professional development. The SEC also offers several events and opportunities each year to bring fellows together, including an alumni fellowship award to visit other SEC institutions.
Nomination Process for 2024-2025 Cohort
The nomination process for the 2024-2025 cohort is closed. Only college deans, the provost, or the faculty senate president may submit nominations. There is no limit on how many nominations a college dean or the provost can make. Faculty Senate can submit one nomination. Nominations for the 2024-2025 cohort will be due on May 22, 2024.