Eighteen emerging leaders in higher education have commenced their yearlong participation in the 2024 Western Academic Leadership Academy. The professional development program is designed to prepare future chief academic officers for roles at colleges and universities across the region.
The Academy, hosted by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), is sponsored by the Western Academic Leadership Forum and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders. These groups focus on leadership at four-year and two-year postsecondary institutions, respectively.
Participants in the 2024 cohort include:
– Joseph Bull (Portland State University)
– Meghan Davis (Colorado Northwestern Community College)
– Andrea DeCosmo (Aims Community College)
– Dustin Eicke (Laramie County Community College)
– Heidi Estrem (Idaho State Board of Education)
– Elizabeth Gunn (Nevada State University)
– Jeffrey Kaplan (Red Rocks Community College)
– Catherine “Cath” Kleier (Metropolitan State University of Denver)
– James McAteer (New Mexico State University)
– Carrie Mospens (Hawai’i Community College)
– Jenn Pedersen (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
– Angela Sackett (College of Eastern Idaho)
– Tiffany Seeley-Case (College of Southern Idaho)
– Cheryl Siemers (Kenai Peninsula College)
– Trent Sutton (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
– Randi Tanglen (University of North Dakota)
– Justin Vance (College of Western Idaho)
– Ian Williamson (New Mexico Highlands University)
According to the American Council on Education, over half of college presidents are former faculty members. The Academy at WICHE aims to equip faculty with skills necessary for advancing in their higher education careers.
“The role of chief academic officer is multilayered, and these exceptional leaders must be prepared to enter an ever-evolving environment where student success mandates creativity, agility, data-driven goals and decision-making, and strong communication,” stated Raymonda “Ray” Burgman Gallegos, WICHE’s Vice President, Programs and Services. “Participants of the Western Academic Leadership Academy are people to watch, and I’m excited to see how they will grow and use what they learn to bring great ideas to our region.”
In July, members attended a three-day seminar at WICHE’s office in Boulder, Colorado. Over the coming academic year, each participant will be mentored by a core faculty member who is either a current or former campus or system chief academic officer from within the WICHE region. This region encompasses 15 Western states as well as U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. Cohort members will develop practical skills in areas such as academic affairs, fiscal affairs, student affairs, and external relationships while addressing unique regional needs.
This marks the ninth year of the Western Academic Leadership Academy. To date, four participants have become interim provosts, nine have advanced to provost positions, one has become a president, and two have become chancellors.
