Preparing the Next Generation of Faculty for Administrative, Research Leadership Roles
Four Syracuse University faculty members recently participated in the (ALT) workshop, a prestigious, two-day program designed to prepare mid-career faculty for senior academic leadership roles.
Co-founded by , president of the , the workshop brings together faculty and research leaders in the fields of chemistry, physics and astrophysics with current department chairs, deans, provosts and vice presidents for research from across the country. The program is co-sponsored by the , Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the .
Syracuse University has invested in faculty participation in the program for several years, reflecting a commitment to developing the next generation of national research leaders, says , vice president for research.
“Universities benefit enormously when their faculty are not only experts in their fields but are also well-prepared for the realities of leadership,” Brown says. “The ALT Workshop equips faculty with the strategic mindset and practical tools to be effective in roles that shape the direction of the entire institution.”
Leadership Positioning
This year’s workshop drew participants who are positioned for administrative or team leadership roles within their departments and colleges. Four faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) attended:
- , associate professor of biology and chemistry
- , professor and director of the biochemistry program
- , professor of physics
- , Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science and director of the Institute for Quantum and Information Sciences
Faculty who participated in recent years include:
- , associate professor of biology and associate director of the BioInspired Institute, A&S
- , associate professor, Samuel and Carol Nappi Research Scholar and biomedical and chemical engineering graduate program director, College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS)
- , Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, ECS
, professor of physics and interim dean of ECS, has served the program as a workshop facilitator, a role reserved for experienced academic leaders such as department chairs, deans and provosts.
Curriculum for Leaders
The ALT Workshop builds practical leadership skills not typically covered in traditional academic training. Topics include developing and communicating vision, motivating colleagues and staff, managing up and down within an institution, legal accountability and outreach. Participants complete a 360-degree feedback exercise, engage with panels of experienced academic leaders and participate in mock interviews for such positions as dean, center director and department chair. They leave with individualized leadership plans tailored to their career goals.
Eligible faculty members interested in applying for this program in fall 2026 can contact their department chair or the (resdev@syr.edu). Applications typically open in the fall. More information is available on the .Ìý
