Leadership Institute
Description
Each year, the Leadership Institute series allows academic administrators to interact with their peers around key topics. This series of short sessions are designed to expand upon themes introduced at New Administrator Orientation. These sessions are required for department chairpersons, school directors, and associate deans of non-departmentally organized colleges within the first two years of their appointments; all other administrators are encouraged to attend sessions they would find useful.
Session recordings will be posted a few days after each event.
Spring 2026 Sessions
Prioritizing and Time/Email Management
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 EST
Location: A Zoom link will be sent as part of your confirmation and within the reminder email
Presenters:
Hannah Burack, Chairperson, Entomology
Victor DiRita, Chairperson, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letter
Prioritizing and managing the many tasks and inquiries unit administrators receive each day is a challenge. Through a combination of brief presentations and time for open discussion, this session will provide helpful strategies for real-life situations.
REGISTER TO ATTEND ONE OR MORE SESSIONS
Supporting Your Staff
Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 AM EST
Location: A Zoom link will be sent as part of your confirmation and within the reminder email
Presenters:
Jim Forger, Dean, College of Music
Stephanie Horton, Director, Employee and Labor Relations
Christy Turner, Integrated Strategy Manager, Organizational and Professional Development, MSU Human Resources
Support staff are key members of our institution, yet many administrators do not have experience working with and developing individuals in unionized appointments. This session will help leaders understand how to create a work environment where everyone feels appreciated, touch on best practices for professional development and evaluation, and discuss some of the common myths associated with working with staff. Tools for dealing with challenging situations when they arise will also be shared.
REGISTER TO ATTEND ONE OR MORE SESSIONS
Inclusive Excellence and Leadership: The Role of Individual Responsibility and Organizational Accountability
Date: Friday, March 20, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 AM EST
Location: Zoom
Presenter:
Jabbar R. Bennett, Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer
As leaders, it is important to acknowledge the power and impact of our words and actions. Leading with intention nurtures excellence in education, research and service for a global community. In this session, principles of equitable, ethical, and inclusive leadership will be discussed, along with ways to mitigate bias in support of objective decision-making and improved outcomes.
REGISTER TO ATTEND ONE OR MORE SESSIONS
Engaging with Faculty and Academic Staff on Retirement
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 AM EST
Location: A Zoom link will be sent as part of your confirmation and within the reminder email
Presenters:
Roger Baldwin, Professor Emeritus, College of Education
Theresa Kelley, Senior Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel
Teresa Mastin, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President, Faculty and Academic Staff Development
Sherry VanKampen, Retirement Analyst, Human Resources
Francisco Villarruel, Faculty Grievance Official, Faculty Grievance and Dispute Resolution Office
This program is designed for MSU Deans, Chairs, and Faculty Excellence Advocates to discuss strategies for engaging with faculty and academic staff within your unit about retirement issues. Legal restrictions and MSU’s policies will also be provided as guidelines to follow when interacting with academics on retirement.
REGISTER TO ATTEND ONE OR MORE SESSIONS
Resources from past Leadership Institute Sessions
Recordings and resources are housed in Desire 2 Learn (D2L). You will be directed to self-enroll in the “course” the first time you visit.