UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Rebecca Miller, associate librarian and head of Penn State University Libraries’ Library Learning Services, is one of five Penn State faculty to be named a 2017 Big Ten Academic Alliance Department Executive Officer fellow. Approximately 65 faculty department heads and chairs from Big Ten universities are selected annually for the program.

“Rebecca arrived at Penn State less than 18 months ago, and in that time she has made a significant impact on teaching and learning in the University Libraries and throughout the University while pursuing an active research agenda and maintaining a national profile without our profession. In short, she is an ideal candidate to receive this recognition and opportunity,” Joe Salem, the Libraries’ associate dean for Learning, Undergraduate Services and Commonwealth Campuses, said.

The Department Executive Officers (DEO) program is one of two faculty leadership development programs offered by the Big Ten Academic Alliance. DEO fellows, who include both seasoned and newer department heads and chairs, meet during a three-day seminar at the Big Ten Center in Chicago to discuss topics focusing on departmental leadership skills, challenges and broader issues. This year’s seminar will be held Nov. 9-11.

Miller follows Karen Estlund, the University Libraries’ associate dean for technology and digital strategies, who was named a Big Ten Academic Alliance DEO fellow in 2016.

Penn State faculty interested in learning more about the Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Department Executive Officers Program and its Academic Leadership Program are encouraged to visit http://vpaa.psu.edu/big-ten-academic-alliance.