Clemson University faculty members Sean Brittain, Oliver Myers, Elysse Newman and Craig Wallace spent the past year representing Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while collaborating with peers from a consortium of ACC universities to take their leadership skills to the next level as part of the 2023 ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN).
Throughout 2023, the ACC ALN Faculty Fellows took part in sessions to build leadership effectiveness during three-day conferences at:
- The University of North Carolina in March
- Syracuse University in June
- Duke University in November
The on-site sessions provided opportunities to develop a network of colleagues in similar positions, learn how leaders at other universities approach various challenges within academia and continue contributioning to communities of practice focused on key operational and leadership challenges in higher education shared across all ACC institutions.
ACC ALN cohort members at the final gathering at Duke University in November. Image courtesy of Duke University
2023 CLEMSON ACC ALN COHORTS REFLECT ON EXPERIENCES
“Connecting with people in similar roles across institutions and regions was a huge benefit as we all shared what it takes to be an academic leader. I found it comforting to learn the challenges we face aren’t so different. It was also rewarding, and I gained a lot hearing from the president and provost at each institution. – Sean Brittain, associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Learning
“This year-long experience allowed us to build relationships and be transparent in student-centric, community-centric and academic-centric conversations.” – Oliver J. Myers, associate dean of Inclusive Excellence for Undergraduate Learning
“Each ACC ALN experience built on the last, and my understanding of how I could contribute as a leader at Clemson evolved each time. My learning community focused on wellness and faculty development, and I enjoyed the different perspectives and shared challenges with my new network of colleagues.” – Elysse Newman, associate dean for research and faculty affairs
“Clemson is hosting the first 2024 ACC ALN conference. As the team develops the programming for this next cohort, it is a chance to give back. I look forward to participating in and contributing to the next cohort as an ACC ALN Fellow.” – Craig Wallace, head of the Management Department in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business
Coordinating in the Office of the Provost, the Clemson liaison for the program is senior associate provost Amy Lawton-Rauh.
As academic leaders, we share many of the same experiences and challenges across academia yet can learn greatly from structures and issues unique to our institutions. The ACC ALN network fosters connection with our peers and provides a path for individual leadership development, succession planning and leadership capacity building within and across higher education.”
senior associate provost Amy lawton-rauh
Members of the Clemson 2024 ACC-ALN cohort are:
- Kyle S. Brinkman, professor and department chair, CECAS
- Michelle Cook, professor and senior associate dean, College of Education
- Stephen Creager, professor and associate dean, College of Science
- Jennifer Ogle, professor and department chair, CECAS
- Katy Weisensee, professor and department chair, CBSHS
Clemson is a participating host for the 2024 ACC-ALN Conference. The on-site dates and hosts are:
- March 20 through 22 – Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
- June 12 through 14 – University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
- November 18 through 20 – North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina