Pamela Bhatti, associate chair for strategic initiatives and innovation in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology, has been selected for the Class of 2022-2023 of Drexel University’s Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program. The ELATES program is a national leadership development program designed to promote women in academic STEM fields, and faculty allies of all genders, into institutional leadership roles.

The Class of 2022-2023 ELATES Fellows is a prestigious cohort of 30 faculty members from over 25 institutions of higher education across the U.S. and Canada. The ELATES Fellows include experts in engineering, mathematics, and science, all of whom have significant administrative experience on top of their scholarly accomplishments. Bhatti was nominated by senior leadership for this intensive, yearlong program, which includes eight to 10 hours per week of personal and leadership development work as well as three series of on-site work in the Philadelphia area.

Bhatti is an expert in in translational engineering in health and medicine and co-founded a medical startup company (Camerad Technologies). Funded by both the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, her interdisciplinary research and education program focuses on addressing unmet clinical needs in healthcare including hearing implants, and sensing systems to enhance detection of cardiovascular disease. Importantly, her program strives to overcoming critical gaps in engineering innovation and entrepreneurial education for both students and faculty. Bhatti has served as an associate chair focusing on innovation and strategic areas for ECE since 2019. Notably, she has played a pivotal role in streamlining the Master in ECE entrepreneurship course and supporting faculty with technology translation.

“I am thrilled for the boost to my leadership capabilities that this opportunity provides, while engaging with a powerful and impressive cohort of ELATES Fellows, instructors, and allies. I heartily thank Georgia Tech leadership for this opportunity,” said Bhatti.

Facilitated by leaders in the fields of STEM research and leadership development, the ELATES curriculum is focused on increasing Fellows’ personal and professional leadership effectiveness, from the ability to lead and manage change initiatives within institutions, to the use of strategic finance and resource management to enhance organizational missions. Pairing online instruction and discussion with intensive, in-person seminar sessions, the program encourages Fellows to apply what they’ve learned at their home institutions. Ultimately, it aims to create a network of exceptional faculty who bring broad organizational perspectives and deep personal capacity to the institutions and society they serve.

“I am delighted to welcome this talented new cohort of ELATES fellows as they join the community of distinguished alumnae who are committed to lifelong learning and leadership development.” said Sharon Walker, executive director of the ELATES program and dean of Drexel University’s College of Engineering. “I am excited to see what impact they will not only have this year on their home campuses, but more broadly to the higher education STEM community in the future.”

To learn more about ELATES at Drexel, visit ELATES online at Drexel.edu/ELATES.