February 10, 2009
Office of the Provost launches new faculty development program
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The Office of the Provost has established a new faculty development program to assist those who have an interest in and demonstrated potential for university administration.
As part of the new Provost Fellows program, tenured faculty members will work with the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice President for Research on selected projects that advance the goals of Purdue's "New Synergies" strategic plan.
"The program has both individual and organizational benefits," says Beverly Davenport Sypher, associate provost and program director. "It is designed to develop the talents of those who have aspirations for university administration and to give them an opportunity to learn more about the University and its processes and people. That aspect is coupled with the opportunity for senior administrators to engage more talent to help with some very challenging issues that we have before us."
The first class of Provost Fellows was announced at a meeting on Feb. 6. Four faculty members were selected:
-- Steven Abel, assistant dean for clinical programs in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and the Bucke Professor of Pharmacy Practice.
-- Stephen Beaudoin, professor of chemical engineering.
-- Scott Brandt, associate dean for research in Purdue University Libraries and professor of library science.
-- Melba Crawford, assistant dean of engineering for interdisciplinary research and professor of agronomy, civil engineering, and electrical and computer engineering.
In applying to be a Provost Fellow, each faculty member submitted a proposal related to a priority area of the strategic plan. Beaudoin will focus on student access and success, Abel on faculty development, Crawford on globalization and Brandt on research integrity.
Fellows will be appointed up to 50 percent to design and manage their projects while spending time with senior administrators. Fellows also will attend monthly meetings with the Academic Leadership Program Fellows of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation and the senior administrative staff to explore the nature of administrative work and the challenges administrators face.
Although the program started in the spring semester this year, future fellows will work during the academic year. Applications for the next class will be accepted starting in April.
"Purdue has long been committed to faculty development, and we are always looking for innovative ways to provide faculty with more opportunities to engage in the decision-making work of the University," Sypher says.