Leak Named To Inaugural Class of AASCU Emerging Leaders

Jeffrey Leak, English professor and President of the Faculty, is one of 25 people nationwide chosen for the inaugural class of the Emerging Leaders program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

This June 11-14 seminar in Washington, D.C., is designed for promising mid-career professionals and faculty leaders in higher education. Participants were nominated for the Emerging Leaders program by presidents, chancellors and cabinet-level administrators. Each participant must have demonstrated to campus leaders the potential for advancement at their campus or another institution.

“Dr. Leak has demonstrated exceptional leadership for many years in positions of increasing responsibility across widely divergent areas of the University, ranging from positions focused on research and community engagement to faculty governance to athletics,” said Nancy Gutierrez, dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

“Most recently, he has ably provided leadership as past director of the Center for the Study of the New South, as President of the Faculty and as the faculty athletics representative,” Gutierrez said. “It is a tribute to Dr. Leak’s inherent integrity that in every role, he earns the respect and trust of the people he serves.”

Leak described his selection as a humbling experience. “There are many faculty who are deserving of such an opportunity,” Leak said. “It’s always uplifting to have your efforts acknowledged within and beyond your institution. But, I also think this honor speaks well about the kind of faculty we have here at UNC Charlotte.”

Leak described the leadership opportunities he has received as representative of the complexity and diversity of the University.

“The AASCU program is designed to prompt faculty to think in more concrete ways about how we can continue to grow as leaders and serve our respective institutions moving forward, with an emphasis on state colleges and universities,” he said. “For me, that will involve learning more about academic budgets and strategic planning, and implementing certain goals I’ve identified next year on our campus. My peers in the program represent a range of academic and administrative backgrounds, and I anticipate benefiting from their knowledge as well.”

Participants in the Emerging Leaders program will have the opportunity to engage in a national dialogue with experienced leaders and experts in higher education and to develop a network of colleagues from across the country. The program includes opportunities for hands-on practical exercises, a leadership self-assessment and the development of a plan designed to help participants achieve their leadership goals.