International Center's Sue Roberts Receives SEC ALDP Alumni Fellowship

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 19, 2017) – Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization at the University of Kentucky, is a recipient of a Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP) Alumni Fellowship, the league office announced Tuesday. In its first year, the fellowship provides opportunities for SEC ALDP alumni to visit other SEC universities to strengthen their administrative leadership skills.

As part of the fellowship, Roberts, who was a member of the 2013-14 SEC ALDP cohort, is scheduled to visit the University of Florida, Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University during the 2017-2018 academic year. During the visits she plans to examine how other SEC universities’ international offices are organized and how her SEC colleagues interact with college deans and other key campus stakeholders. 

“The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program has provided numerous opportunities for me to learn more about what it takes to be a successful university administrator,” Roberts said. “I enjoyed my time in the leadership program several years ago, and I am looking forward to extending my participation as a recipient of one of the first SEC ALDP Alumni Fellowships.” 

The SEC ALDP seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC universities and beyond. It includes a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants and two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants. 

“This new fellowship component of the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program was designed with administrators like Dr. Sue Roberts in mind,” said Torie Johnson, executive director of SECU. “The fellowship provides a collaborative learning opportunity that is meant to increase knowledge while also preparing individuals for high-level service in academia. We are confident Dr. Roberts will be able to accomplish both during her visits to other SEC universities.” 

Roberts has won research funding from the National Science Foundation for several projects, and she has conducted research in Southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Ireland, and Australia. From 2012-2017, she was an editor of the top-ranked journal Progress in Human Geography.  

The SEC ALDP is managed by SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC supports and promotes the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty at its 14 member universities.