Five of Clemson’s academic leaders attended the March ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) network conference at Virginia Tech. The ALN facilitates cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders while building leadership capacity for the participating institutions.
All 15 Atlantic Coast Conference institutions were represented, including Clemson, Boston College, Duke University, Georgia Tech, Florida State, North Carolina State, Syracuse, the University of Louisville, the University of Miami, the University of North Carolina, Notre Dame, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
Modelled after the Big Ten’s Academic Alliance, the first gathering of ACC partners happened four years ago. Since then, the members continue to meet to leverage the diversity of innovation and ideas among the ACC’s many top-tier research universities.
Each member institution sends five of its academic leaders to represent their school as part of a year-long cohort that meets three times a year on member campuses.
Clemson Associate Dean for Engagement and General Education and the University’s ALN Cohort Liaison Bridget Trogden said there were tremendous takeaways from the meeting.
“It is truly incredible to watch our Clemson faculty engaging in projects and idea sharing while networking with those from other ACC institutions. From conceptualizing transdisciplinary communities to student exchange opportunities to global engagements, our Clemson cohort were strong participants in the intellectual exchanges that occurred. Their projects will continue to deliver on the excellence that is a hallmark of Clemson and our ACC partners.”
Along with Trogden, other Clemson representatives were:
- Dara Park, Plant & Environmental Sciences;
- Thompson Mefford, Materials Science and Engineering;
- Kristine Vernon, Animal and Veterinary Science;
- Carlos Garcia Perez, Chemistry; and
- Lori Dickes, Political Science and director of Graduate Programs.
Two more ALN conferences will take place later this year at Boston College and the University of Virginia.