The common themes that emerge regarding Dr. Alan Smith’s leadership are his vision, humility, the way he treats others with dignity, respect, and compassion, and how much he cares about the success and growth of others. Other remarkable qualities are Dr....
Archived News
By Ellie Louson
My favorite description of mentoring comes from Dr. Beronda Montgomery, eminent MSU plant scientist and writer, who has written widely on mentoring and calls it “an opportunity to connect meaningfully with individuals in service to their pursuit of personally-defined goals...
By Marilyn Amey
As we continue walking through the pandemic, as well as the strategic planning, and diversity, equity, and inclusion planning efforts during the next several months, it seems important first to take a step back, breathe, and realize that our...
Assessment workshops are being offered: Assessment Options Beyond the Exam and Exam Design. These workshops previously ran through July and August and will be running again on December 9th. Our Assessment Options Beyond the Exam workshop will focus on formative assessments and alternatives...
Every university has a visible structure that identifies administrative positions by title and reporting lines and in many ways, represents authority and decision-making purview. Persons on the organizational chart certainly are ones to whom we look when in need of guidance...
Each year, the Leadership Institute series offers academic administrators the opportunity to interact with their peers around key topics. This series of 90-minute sessions are designed to expand upon themes introduced at New Administrator Orientation. These sessions are required for department...
Beronda Montgomery, Ph.D. has recently been appointed as interim vice president in the Office of Research & Innovation at MSU and has also received a seat on the Science Gallery International board. Beronda Montgomery is a MSU Foundation Professor working in...
In the first two newsletters of this year, you see a theme of connecting and building your network; the October issue continues this trend. We in AAN and those units with whom we collaborate start from the premise that one way...
Conversations for Early-Career Faculty and Academic Staff Colleagues
Starting an academic career involves new opportunities to learn, connect with others, and make meaningful contributions--to share one’s excitement about one’s field with learners, to advance the knowledge base, and to use one’s expertise...
On behalf of all of us with the Academic Advancement Network, we want to thank the many attendees who participated in New Administrator and New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation in early August. As our first foray into online orientations, we...
MSU continues to invest in an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). The NCFDD is an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community for faculty members, academic staff, postdocs, and graduate students. In our current...
As part of the team in the Academic Advancement Network (AAN), I write to welcome you to MSU. Whether you are just starting your career as a faculty member or academic staff member, or if you come with much prior experience...
Welcome to the 2020-2021 academic year! Whether this is the start of a new academic career or a position at a new institution, we at the Academic Advancement Network (AAN) hope that the New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation will be...
Educator professional development programming is a dynamic part of MSU’s campus. Here are five things worth thinking about as a new faculty member:
We use the term “educator” because it is inclusive and communicates the intent to support all individuals who...
In the Academic Advancement Network (AAN), we work to provide support for academics who currently hold formal administrative positions, as well as those who are looking for ways to further explore and develop their leadership and managerial skills.
As an academic, you...
The University Communications Office launched a site entitled Together We Will in an effort to pull information on a myriad of topics into one central place to make it easier for all of us to navigate the broad array of opportunities,...
In a year full of change, we have high hopes for the insight and development of the 2020-21 fellowship cohorts. While it’s easy to understand the desire for some to ride out the changes already underway during a year in a...
"Funambulist" sits in the courtyard of Snyder-Phillips Hall and models a “juxtaposition between the heaviness of steel and the fleeting forces of the wind, creating a compelling visual and intellectual irony.” - MSU Today.
By Ann E. Austin
As we look toward the end...
By Cindi Leverich
One of the most successful Big Ten Academic Alliance leadership initiatives is the Academic Leadership Program (ALP). Established in 1989, this intensive experience develops the leadership and managerial skills of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise....
Terry Curry
For the last 13 years, Theodore H. (Terry) Curry has served the Michigan State University community as associate provost and associate vice president for Academic Human Resources. In this role, Terry has been a close partner of the Academic Advancement...
By Patti Stewart
Typically, at this time of year, we would be celebrating a number of milestones, such as graduations and other important life events. Considering the implications of the global pandemic we’re experiencing, we’ve all had to pivot these acknowledgments into...
In the spring of every year, the Faculty Emeriti Association, in collaboration with the Academic Advancement Network recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual faculty emeritus/emerita. The purpose of this award is to recognize the activities of retired faculty who have made...
By Gregory Teachout
When Dr. Dorinda Carter Andrews came to Michigan State University in 2005, she was immersed in her work as an assistant professor. While her research, which focuses on issues of racial justice and discrimination in schools, remains a passion,...
By Nwando Achebe, Jack and Margaret Sweet Endowed Professor, Faculty Excellence Advocate, College of Social Science
In 2018, the College of Social Science (CSS) launched two major faculty diversity initiatives, namely, the Dean’s Research Associate Program, and the Dean’s Distinguished Senior Scholars Program....