BOULDER, Colorado – Eighteen emerging leaders in higher education kicked off their yearlong participation in the 2024 Western Academic Leadership Academy, a professional development program aimed at preparing the next generation of chief academic officers for careers at the region’s colleges and universities.
Hosted through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Academy is sponsored by two of WICHE’s membership groups focused on campus leadership — the Western Academic Leadership Forum (the Forum) and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders (the Alliance) — which serve four-year and two-year postsecondary institutions in the West, respectively.
Members of the 2024 Academy cohort are:
- Joseph Bull (Portland State University)
- Meghan Davis (Colorado Northwestern Community College)
- Andrea DeCosmo (Aims Community College)
- Dustin Eicke (Laramie County Community College)
- Heidi Estrem (Idaho State Board of Education)
- Elizabeth Gunn (Nevada State University)
- Jeffrey Kaplan (Red Rocks Community College)
- Catherine “Cath” Kleier (Metropolitan State University of Denver)
- James McAteer (New Mexico State University)
- Carrie Mospens (Hawai’i Community College)
- Jenn Pedersen (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
- Angela Sackett (College of Eastern Idaho)
- Tiffany Seeley-Case (College of Southern Idaho)
- Cheryl Siemers (Kenai Peninsula College)
- Trent Sutton (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
- Randi Tanglen (University of North Dakota)
- Justin Vance (College of Western Idaho)
- Ian Williamson (New Mexico Highlands University)
According to the American Council on Education (ACE), more than half of college presidents are former faculty. The Academy program at WICHE sharpens the skills and mindsets needed by faculty to take the next step in their higher education careers.
“The role of chief academic officer role is multilayered, and these exceptional leaders must be prepared to enter an ever-evolving environment where student success mandates creativity, agility, data-driven goals and decision-making, and strong communication,” said Raymonda “Ray” Burgman Gallegos, WICHE’s Vice President, Programs and Services. “Participants of the Western Academic Leadership Academy are people to watch, and I’m excited to see how they will grow and use what they learn to bring great ideas to our region.”
This month, 2024 cohort members attended a three-day in-person seminar at WICHE’s office in Boulder, Colorado, and in the coming academic year each is mentored by a core faculty member. Core faculty are former or current campus and system chief academic officers from across the WICHE region which includes 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. Cohort members focus on developing practical skills in academic affairs, fiscal affairs, student affairs, and external relationships, with a special attention given to the unique needs of the West’s higher education community.
This is the ninth year of the Western Academic Leadership Academy. In this time, four participants went on to become interim provost, nine went on to become provost, one became president, and two became chancellors.
Media Contact:
Melanie Sidwell, Director of Communications
Mobile: 303.834.5278 | msidwell@wiche.edu
www.wiche.edu
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About WICHE
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) works collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life. Visit www.wiche.edu.
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