UW Faculty Leadership Institute Selects Inaugural Cohort

The University of Wyoming Presidential Fellows program has selected the inaugural cohort of participants for the Faculty Leadership Institute (FLI).

The FLI is designed to prepare faculty members for leadership roles in academic administration and research and aligns with UW’s strategic plan to develop and retain faculty.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of strong applicants from colleges and departments across UW, indicating deep interest in the opportunity to develop leadership knowledge and expertise,” says Associate Professor Gabel Taggart, director of the Master of Public Administration Program in the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies.

The videos and other application materials submitted by prospective participants were inspiring and highlighted the commitment and passion of UW faculty members interested in professional growth in leadership, says Presidential Fellow collaborator Barbara Hickman, UW educational leadership associate professor in the College of Education.

“I’m very impressed by what Gabel and Barbara have accomplished thus far and look forward to engaging with the institute participants,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “It was always the intent for these Presidential Fellowships to address university wide needs and I think the Faculty Leadership Institute will be doing that and more.” 

The FLI will meet one Friday per month throughout the 2025-26 school year and will cover topics such as developing leadership style, ethics of leadership, conflict and negotiations and performance management. Sessions also will focus on leadership topics specific to higher education such as the legal landscape of higher education, financial management and budgeting, fundraising and political competencies.

The cohort has 12 participants, with representation from across the university.

Members of the new cohort are:

Nevin Aiken, School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies.

Amy Banic, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Billie Chapman, Division of Social Work.

Brandon Gellis, Department of Visual and Literary Arts.

Jennifer Harmon, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Elizabeth Minton, Department of Management and Marketing.

Todd Reynolds, School of Teacher Education.

Derek Scasta, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Temple Stoellinger, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, and College of Law.

Clair Uding, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology.

Mia Williams, School of Counseling, Leadership and Advocacy.

Charlie Zhang, Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management.