Kentucky to Host SEC Academic Leadership Development Workshop

LEXINGTON, KY. (Sept. 18, 2018) — The University of Kentucky is set to host the fall Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Leadership Development Program workshop Oct. 15-17. The three-day session will be held primarily at the newly-renovated Gatton Student Center and will also include visits to unique locales in and around Lexington.

UK President and Vice President of the SEC Eli Capilouto will offer a welcome and remarks before participants engage in interactive discussions on topics ranging from campus safety assessment to diversity and inclusion to public-private partnerships. UK Provost David Blackwell is also among those campus administrators scheduled to join the workshop.

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program’s (SEC ALDP) goal is to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has three components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants (i.e., fellows); two SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows.

“It is our strong belief that helping to prepare administrators for the next phase of their careers has the potential to impact all of higher education, both now and in the future,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said of the SEC ALDP. “Our universities make a significant investment in these individuals, and we are proud to work with them through this program.”

In addition to the Kentucky workshop, 2018-19 SEC ALDP participants will also visit the University of Tennessee in the spring. There are approximately 55 fellows this year, and nearly 400 have completed the program since its inception in 2008.

“The content of the program was wonderful and all of the sessions had pearls of wisdom,” said Kathryn Cardarelli, assistant provost for faculty advancement at UK and former fellow. “I also enjoyed meeting the participants and learning more about the diversity of positions at the other SEC universities.”

Kentucky most recently hosted an SEC ALDP workshop in October 2011, and this year’s event is under the guidance of G.T. Lineberry, associate provost for faculty advancement.