University administrators discussed the creation of an Institute for Faculty Advancement in an effort to improve faculty leadership opportunities at Thursday's? meeting of the Board of Visitors' Special Committee on Diversity?.
"The idea here is that we're trying to prepare the University's next generation of leaders," said William Harvey, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity.
The proposed institute would train current faculty members to become academic leaders and to hold managerial positions within the University, Harvey said, emphasizing that the institute would strive to promote leadership in those committed to diversity efforts. The institute also would seek to take advantage of the talented, diverse faculty the University already has to offer, he added.
Harvey also noted, however, that at this time, plans for the institute are still in the works, and a final cost estimate has not yet been made.
"It is at a conceptual stage," he said.
Employees of the offices of the vice provost for faculty advancement, human resources and development and public affairs, as well as Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer, have all played a part in developing ideas for the possible institute, Harvey said.
Susan Carkeek, vice president and chief human resource officer, noted the institute would be part of a larger University initiative focusing on diversity as a core University value. It is only a matter, she said, of figuring out how to put such core values into action.
Carkeek said the institute might help "increase the level of managerial accountability" by compiling data regarding hiring decisions and also might establish better support for leadership search committees.
If implemented as originally and currently envisioned, the institute would follow a cohort model and identify about 10 faculty members each year who would known as "academic leadership fellows," Harvey said, noting that the institute will seek those faculty members who have a demonstrated interest in the issues of leadership and diversity. Harvey added that the institute would be available to University faculty who either express interest in pursuing a management role or are observed demonstrating a talent for academic leadership.
Both Harvey and Carkeek noted that Gertrude Fraser, vice provost for faculty advancement, was selected to assist in the development of the proposed institute.
As of press time, Fraser was not available for comment.
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