Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer (DEO) Program
This leadership development program focuses on departmental leadership skills and problem-solving for those relatively new to their role. The goals of the DEO Program are to (i) facilitate the development of academic unit leaders through the provision of a structured educational program focused on key leadership skills and competencies; (ii) develop a cadre of highly trained and motivated individuals who will be effective leaders on their own campuses; and (iii) create a community of academic unit leaders who engage with one another regarding critical issues across Big Ten Academic Alliance universities
The program follows a hybrid format, combining three live virtual sessions with an immersive three-day, in-person workshop in Chicago in November.
The DEO Seminars are managed by Big Ten Academic Alliance office staff, and programming is developed by liaisons from the Offices of the Provosts across our universities. To read more about the seminars, visit the Big Ten Academic Alliance DEO webpage.
DEO Qualifications
Each year, MSU sends five chairs, school directors, or associate deans with similar responsibilities to attend this program.
Potential participants must have served at least 1 year (but no more than 4) as a department chair, school director, or associate dean in a non-departmentally organized college.
Application
Interested applicants need to submit a letter (2 pages maximum) explaining why they are interested in this program and how it will help them navigate their current role. This letter should include a brief synopsis of the applicant’s leadership trajectory (where they have been and ideas about where they want to go), an overview of the issues they see as critical for leaders in similar roles, and a statement about their commitment to MSU.
All interested applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply by March 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m .