Griffin, Minter selected for inaugural class of leadership development fellows

Photo Credit: June Griffin and Deborah Minter
Mon, 07/18/2022 - 11:01

June Griffin and Deborah Minter, faculty in the Department of English, have been selected to participate in a new systemwide program that aims to develop the next generation of higher education leaders. They are part of the inaugural class of sixteen members from across the University of Nebraska system.

NU's "Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders" program, sponsored by the Office of the President together with the system provost and campus chief academic officers, launches this fall with an intensive two-year curriculum that will help participants develop their leadership skills, expand their networks, and explore key issues and challenges facing the University of Nebraska and higher education.

Griffin is the College of Arts and Science's associate dean for undergraduate education and a professor of practice in the department. Minter is faculty senate president and associate professor and director of composition of rhetoric in the department.

Over the course of the program, the fellows will hear presentations from Ted Carter, president of the NU system, system vice presidents, and members of the Board of Regents, visit each NU campus to engage with senior leaders, and discuss complex and timely higher education topics including:

  • Strategic planning
  • Philanthropy
  • Higher education finances
  • Facilities and infrastructure
  • Opportunities and challenges related to teaching, learning and research
  • Academic leadership skills, attributes and styles
  • Building and maintaining diverse and inclusive university communities

“This is a time of immense change and opportunity for our industry, requiring skilled, strategic leadership from people who not only deeply understand the issues, but can set a bold vision for the future and inspire others to come along,” Carter said.

“Our goal with this new program is to develop a deep bench of exactly these kinds of leaders. I am thrilled with this initial cohort of fellows — talented leaders who are already having a tremendous impact on our students and state, with great potential to do even more to create positive change for our university and all of higher education.”

Applications for the 2023-25 cohort of NU DEAL fellows will open next spring.