Faculty forum to address leadership, engagement, well-being

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” Benjamin Franklin said, and that applies to both students and faculty members. To continue its investment in faculty knowledge and professional growth, the Office of Academic Affairs and Provost at Tulane University is sponsoring a Faculty Leadership Forum May 9–11, bringing in top guest speakers to foster development of leadership and managerial skills of faculty actively engaged in the academic mission.

Faculty members have important roles as leaders in their classrooms, laboratories, creative endeavors, committees, clinics and professional organizations. The forum “was developed in response to faculty requests for more initiatives to enhance their leadership skills,” said Tonette Krousel-Wood, associate provost and senior associate dean. “Effective leadership can enhance professional growth, scholarly engagement and academic productivity for junior and senior faculty.”

Online registration is still open for the forum. All registered faculty in attendance for each session will receive a complimentary book and relevant speaker materials.

“Effective leadership can enhance professional growth, scholarly engagement and academic productivity for junior and senior faculty.”

Tonette Krousel-Wood

Guest speakers will be Dr. Lois Nora, president and dean emeritus, Northeast Ohio Medical University, and past president and CEO of the American Board of Medical Specialties; Dr. Richard Tapia, University Professor and Maxfield-Oshman Professor in Engineering, Rice University; and Dr. Robert Kegan, William and Miriam Meehan Research Professor of Adult Learning and Professional Development, Harvard University.

• Nora will lead the session “Improving Faculty Well-being: Addressing Burnout in a Complex World” on Wednesday, May 9, at the DeBakey Center (131 S. Robertson St.)

• Tapia will lead the session “Towards New Leadership: Addressing the Representation Gap in Higher Education” on Thursday, May 10, in Goldring/Woldenberg Hall, Room 170, on the uptown campus

• Kegan will close the forum on Friday, May 11, with “Including Ourselves in the Change Equation: Personal Learning for Professional Development” in the Diboll Auditorium (1440 Canal St.)

Since 2010, the provost’s office has provided faculty development and mentoring initiatives for junior and senior faculty through special seminars, workshops and forums each spring.