SEC names three from Auburn University as 2015-16 Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows

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Fifty faculty and administrators from Southeastern Conference universities, including three from Auburn University, will be able to hone their leadership skills through a professional development program as 2015-16 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows.

The Conference named Auburn's Magdalena Garmaz, program chair of environmental design in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction; Daniel Givens, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Veterinary Medicine; and Stanley Harris, associate dean for graduate and international programs in the Harbert College of Business as this year's fellows.

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, or SEC ALDP, is a professional development program that seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has two components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants and two, three-day, SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.

The first of the two workshops took place earlier this month at the University of Arkansas. A second workshop is scheduled for Feb. 24-26, 2016 at the University of Mississippi.

"My selection for a SEC ALDP fellowship is at the same time an honor and responsibility to make Auburn better by bringing back and implementing some of the exciting initiatives from other universities," Garmaz said. "I am looking forward to learning more about the ways in which our collaborative and interdisciplinary actions can positively affect our students, faculty and staff."

"This is a unique chance to develop my understanding of the multiple perspectives that deserve careful consideration when leading colleges and universities to excel in our current and future circumstances," Givens said.

"Being named an SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellow is a great honor and offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the complex inner-workings of Auburn and the other SEC schools," Harris said. "In addition to in-depth discussions with Auburn's key leaders, I eagerly look forward to networking with, and learning from, the other 49 fellows across all SEC schools and disciplines. I am confident the experience will help me grow as a person, educator and leader."

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program is a part of SECU, the academic initiative of the SEC. SECU actively highlights the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty of the conference's 14 member universities.

"The individuals selected by their SEC universities to participate in the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program represent the future of higher education administration," said Torie Johnson, SECU executive director. "The leadership skills they already possess are sure to be enhanced by the SEC ALDP experience."

Since its creation in 2008, more than 270 faculty and academic administrators have completed the SEC ALDP, and program alumni have become deans and provosts, among other senior-level positions, at universities around the SEC and country.

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Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.