In May, interested individuals were invited to either self-nominate or nominate a colleague. Of the 62 applications received for the 2016–17 program year, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Rafael L. Bras, in consultation with an advisory committee, chose 16 participants, ensuring institutional level perspective and a balanced representation across Colleges and Schools and across associate and full professors. The field of candidates has all attained tenure.

"Fostering and mentoring the qualities of good leadership is essential for our goal of institutional effectiveness and providing good stewardship of the present and future of the Institute,” said Bras. "Georgia Tech has an extraordinary pool of talented individuals that are willing and actively seek opportunities to lead. This new program will help those individuals achieve the most of their potential, and contribute to develop a pool of future academic leaders that will serve us and the broader national academic community well."

Beginning in September, the nine-month program will include monthly workshops, as well as a weekend workshop in late October. Other program activities will include small group work, self assessments, and 360-degree assessments. 

"The design of the program is to foster, mentor, and create a leadership climate among all stakeholders at Tech,” said Terry Blum, director of ILE. “The workshops will allow for intensive discussions and sharing of experiences, and will serve to spotlight leadership opportunities for individuals who are interested in being change agents for our larger community."

Due to the high number of applications, many candidates were invited to apply to future planned cohorts. Nominations for the next cohort will begin in Spring 2017.  

"We are very proud of the quality of applicants for the program in its first year,” said Susan Cozzens, vice provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development. "Having so many good people step up is tremendously encouraging for the future of leadership here at Georgia Tech."

Members of the 2016-2017 cohort:

College of Computing

• Beki Grinter, professor, Interactive Computing
• Eric Vigoda, professor, Computer Science

College of Design

• Jason Freeman, professor, Music

College of Engineering

• Stephen Ruffin, professor, Aerospace Engineering
• Christopher Jones, professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Krista Walton, professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Joe Le Doux, associate professor, Biomedical Engineering
• Susan Burns, professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts 

• Roberta Berry, associate professor, Public Policy
• Anne Pollock, associate professor, Literature, Media, and Communication
• Adam Stulberg, professor, International Affairs

College of Sciences

• Deirdre Shoemaker, professor, Physics
• Jenny Singleton, professor, Psychology
• Joseph Dufek, associate professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Scheller College of Business

• Han Zhang, associate professor, Information Technology Management
• Nishant Dass, associate professor, Finance

For more information, visit http://www.provost.gatech.edu/emerging-leaders.