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The Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) is now accepting applications for a new Faculty Leadership Development Institute (FLDI) during the 2021 spring semester.

This FLDI will address women’s issues associated with the progression from faculty to administrative positions in higher education. The Institute includes a range of topics aimed at supporting and empowering women faculty at the associate and full academic ranks on their professional journeys. The bimonthly, virtual, and interactive sessions will be led by Drs. Claudia and Ruben Fernandez, founding members of the Food Systems Leadership Institution (FSLI) program. FSLI has a strong reputation for preparing leaders who are able to navigate complex challenges and lead organizational change, all while honoring the mission and ethics of the enterprise itself.

Programming includes small group discussions, bimonthly seminars, and coaching that will allow faculty with an interest in women’s higher education career advancement to come together in an informal setting to discuss current and emerging issues and challenges. Topics to be discussed include using personality theory as a framework for success, leadership survey talk, understanding behavior and motivation, exploring approaches to conflict, negotiation, managing difficult conversations, and the behavioral event interview.

The Institute will begin mid-January with a three-hour session. There will then be two, two-hour sessions in February, March, and April for a total of seven sessions. This spring 2021 Institute is limited to 25 faculty who will be selected from a competitive application process. Eligible faculty include those with the rank of Professor and Associate Professors who have held this rank for at least two years (since Aug. 16, 2018).

To apply, interested faculty should submit a one-page summary addressing professional aspirations that includes a commitment statement agreeing to participate in all seminars, a current abbreviated CV (3 – 5 pages max), and a one-page nomination letter from their department head that is co-signed by the appropriate associate dean for research. The nomination letter should provide insight as to why this faculty member could be successful in an administrative position and why they should be selected. Please carefully consider the time required for participation before making application. These materials should be emailed no later than Friday, December 18 to Teresa Gammill (tgammill@research.msstate.edu and copy Lynn Taylor, ltaylor@research.msstate.edu). Selections will be made and announced prior to the start of the spring 2021 academic semester.

Questions concerning this program should be addressed to Teresa Gammill.