by Bill Riccetti
Interim Dean Dr. Amy Struthers was selected as one of five faculty members who will represent the University of Nebraska at the Big Ten Academic Leadership Program this year.
The program is one of the most successful leadership initiatives in the Big Ten Academic Alliance. It offers professional development opportunities that are highly relevant and effective. It also invests in the faculty and staff of the universities to ensure that they remain viable and competitive.
The program’s seminars will be held at three different Big Ten campuses – the University of Minnesota, Purdue University and the University of Illinois.
“I am very excited about being able to visit these other campuses and see how other faculty leaders are dealing with similar issues in higher ed,” Struthers said. “It is an awesome way to build relationships.”
While there are no speaking obligations at these seminars, Struthers still found time to do her homework by having dinner with previous members of the program. These discussions were open and produced a great back and forth between the new and older members.
The biggest thing Struthers wants to get out of this program is to see how higher education leaders are able to develop and grow.
“It is good to have role models,” she said. “I am really so impressed about the commitment in developing leaders on our campus and across the Big Ten.”
In some situations, she believes, there is not a big emphasis on developing leaders. The fact that this program exists, has her looking forward to everything it represents.
“An organization can only really move as fast as its leadership,” Struthers added.
Struthers said she hopes this program helps make her position as interim dean as successful as possible.
“Successful means I can help the college move forward in both workplace culture and our curriculum,” she said. Struthers said she believes it can help her work with her faculty and staff to push the college’s program forward rapidly.
“I love working with our students, so if nothing else I think it will help me be a better teacher,” she said.
