UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs has recognized a select group of faculty members for completing the Penn State Emerging Academic Leaders (PSEAL) program. This initiative, a collaborative effort between Faculty Affairs and Penn State Human Resources Talent Management, is designed to elevate the leadership potential of faculty.

A partner program for staff, Penn State Emerging Leaders (PSEL), launched in February 2023, with 63 individuals completing the program to date.

Program structure and benefits

The PSEAL program integrates instructor-led seminars with mentorship opportunities. This format enables participants to delve into various leadership approaches and formulate their unique leadership philosophies. The current cohort not only fulfilled the program requirements, but also earned the first awarded Provost Endorsement in Leadership and Service. This endorsement emphasizes their dedication to professional growth and to serving the Penn State community with enhanced leadership skills.

Throughout the program, seasoned academic leaders offered mentorship, providing practical experience and advice. The participants have also contributed to the university's new faculty through the New Faculty Network program. The Provost Endorsement recognized them for their commitment to continuous professional development and serving the Penn State community with advanced leadership competencies.

Kathy Bieschke, vice provost for Faculty Affairs, commented on the program's significance, stating, "the PSEAL program provides an unparalleled opportunity for faculty keen on leadership to refine their skills." She extended her congratulations, adding, "We take immense pride in acknowledging these faculty members' initiative towards leadership excellence. Their dedication to skill development is certain to enrich our academic milieu."

Faculty members recognized include:

• Saurabh Bansal, professor of supply chain management, Smeal College of Business, mentored by Felisa Preciado Higgins, associate dean for Undergraduate Education and clinical professor of supply chain management​​
• Melissa Bopp, professor of kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, mentored by Denise Solomon, professor of communication arts and sciences​​
• Guido Cervone, professor and E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller professor in geography, College of Earth and Mineral Science, mentored by Zuleima Karpyn, associate dean for Graduate Education and Research, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and professor of petroleum and natural gas engineering​​
• Stephanie Cutler, director of assessment and instructional support in the Leonhard Center and associate research professor, College of Engineering, mentored by Crystal Ramsay, senior director of Teaching and Learning with Technology​​
• Jonathan Daw, associate professor of sociology and demography, College of the Liberal Arts, mentored by Michelle Frisco, department head and professor of sociology and demography​​
• Joseph Houck, associate teaching professor in the Department of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science, mentored by Mary Beth Williams, senior associate dean of instruction and curricula and professor of chemistry​​
• Vivian Hsu, associate teaching professor, psychological and social sciences, Penn State Abington, mentored by Megan Nagle, associate chief academic officer and associate professor of chemistry and interim chancellor​​
• Christine Kirchhoff, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and of law, policy and engineering, College of Engineering, mentored by Amy Pritchett, head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering​​
• Bryan Nichols, associate professor of music education, College of Arts and Architecture, mentored by Mallika Bose, associate dean of research, creative activity and graduate studies, and professor of landscape architecture​​

• Holly Overton, associate professor of advertising/public relations, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, mentored by Fuyuan Shen, professor of advertising, head of the Department of Advertising/Public Relations
• Gina Pazzaglia, director, MPS Program in Nutritional Sciences, teaching professor, College of Health and Human Development, mentored by Angela Linse, executive director of the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence and associate dean for teaching, Undergraduate Education
• Brian Redmond, teaching professor and lead faculty for the Organizational Leadership (OLEAD) program, School of Labor and Employment Relations, College of the Liberal Arts, mentored by Karen Pollack, associate vice provost for Online Education, affiliate assistant professor of education
• Sairam Rudrabhatla, professor of biology, School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Penn State Harrisburg, mentored by Roger Brindley, vice provost for Global
• Holly Ryan, associate professor of English, Penn State Berks, mentored by Alan Rieck, associate vice provost for Undergraduate Education
• Barrett Scroggs, associate professor of baccalaureate Human Development and Family Studies Program, associate HDFS Programs and assistant director of Academic Affairs, Penn State Mont Alto, mentored by Michael Doncheski, director of Academic Affairs, Mont Alto
• Mary Shenk, associate professor of anthropology, demography, and asian studies, College of the Liberal Arts, mentored by Scott Bennett, senior associate dean for research and graduate studies and distinguished professor of political science, and Tim Ryan, department head and professor of anthropology
• Karin Sprow Forte, associate teaching professor of teacher education and adult education, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Penn State Harrisburg, mentored by Jane Wilburne, professor of mathematics education and chair of teacher education, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Penn State Harrisburg
• Spencer Szczesny, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and of orthopedics and rehabilitation, College of Engineering, mentored by Tonya Peeples, Harold & Inge Marcus dean of Engineering and professor of chemical engineering
• Michelle Vigeant-Haas, associate professor of acoustics and architectural engineering, College of Engineering, mentored by Shelley Stoffels, associate dean for faculty and professor of civil and environmental engineering
• Sarah Whitney, associate teaching professor of English and women's studies, director of Academic Affairs, Penn State Behrend, mentored by Kathy Bieschke, vice provost for Faculty Affairs and professor of education
• Ming Xiao, professor of civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering, mentored by Randy McEntaffer, department head and professor of astronomy and astrophysics, and professor of physics

Future opportunities and more information

Faculty aspiring to leadership positions, such as department heads or higher, are encouraged to apply for the next PSEAL program session. Applications open in February 2024 for the fall semester. The program aims to serve as a stepping-stone for Penn State's next generation of academic administrators and leaders.

For detailed information about the program and application procedures, visit the Penn State Emerging Academic Leaders and Provost Endorsement Program websites. Inquiries can be directed to Ann Clements, assistant vice provost for Faculty Affairs – Faculty Development, at acc13@psu.edu.