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Partnering for Justice: A Vision for Academic Leadership
Academic leadership is more than the management of units; it is the stewardship of a mission. My philosophy is centered on Partnering for Justice, a framework that integrates rigorous research, transformative education, and continuous innovation to create measurable community impact.
I believe that a university's success is defined by its ability to prepare students who can see clearly, decide wisely, and behave justly. As a leader, I view it as my primary responsibility to build the infrastructure that makes this possible—fostering an environment where faculty are empowered to innovate and students are challenged to lead.
My approach is built on three pillars:
Evidence-Based Stewardship: Utilizing data-informed decision-making to bring transparency to resource allocation and program growth.
Collaborative Governance: Leading with positivity and optimism to bridge the gap between institutional goals and faculty needs.
Community Impact: Ensuring our academic programs are not silos, but engines for justice and progress in the broader community.
By leading with clarity and care, I strive to develop forward-looking academic communities that are resilient in the face of change and unwavering in their commitment to the public good.
I believe that leadership is a transfer of belief and purpose. My approach is rooted in the principles of Positive Leadership: building a culture of optimism, fostering deep trust, and ensuring every member of the team understands how their work contributes to our shared 'bus.' For me, data is a tool for transparency and clarity, but it is the human connection and service to the institution that truly drives sustainable growth
Navigating Leadership Transitions with Continuity
The Action: Orchestrated the seamless transition of three key departmental Director positions.
The Result: By leading with clarity and care during a period of change, I ensured operational stability and cultural alignment. This process mitigated institutional risk and empowered a new tier of leaders to drive our mission forward with renewed energy and purpose.
Cultivating Community through Strategic Partnerships
The Action: Forged and expanded strategic alliances with municipal agencies and city leaders.
The Report: Guided by the belief that we are better together, these partnerships bridged the gap between the classroom and the community. This initiative expanded high-impact student opportunities and positioned the department as a vital partner in regional progress and community justice.
Driving Growth through Academic Innovation
The Action: Spearheaded the development and launch of a new minor in Forensic Investigation.
The Result: Recognizing a need for specialized expertise, I led the team in creating a market-aligned program that meets emerging workforce demands. This interdisciplinary minor has successfully diversified our academic portfolio and created a new pathway for students to pursue meaningful, impactful careers.
Empowering Student Leaders: The Ambassador Program
The Action: Developed and launched a Departmental Student Ambassador program.
The Result: I believe that when you invest in people, they invest in the mission. By creating a formalized peer-leadership pipeline, we empowered students to become voices for their program, resulting in a vibrant community of advocates and a scalable model for student-centered recruitment and success.
Strengthening Culture through Transparent Communication
The Action: Re-imagined the departmental communication strategy and newsletter.
The Result: To build a great team, you must share a great story. By improving the consistency and transparency of our communication, we fostered a stronger sense of belonging and "we-mentality" among faculty, staff, and alumni, ensuring that every stakeholder feels connected to our shared vision.
For a full account of my administrative and academic background, please view my Administrative CV.
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