| By Amy M. Marshall
Special to Intercom |
Three
to be chosen for 2000-20001 Administrative Fellows Program |
"A catapulting experience."
That's how Robin Anderson, coordinator of process improvement, describes the Administrative Fellows Program, in which she participated in 1995-96.
"As a Fellow, you establish a network that helps open doors," Anderson said. "You become more politically astute and gain influence that benefits you when working with different University departments."
Other previous Fellows echo Anderson's comments. Claudia Limbert, now Penn State DuBois campus executive officer and a Fellow in 1995-96, said participation in the program "changed my life."
"I thought I knew how the University worked," said Limbert, who was a faculty member at Penn State Shenango before participating in the program. "But I had tunnel vision -- I had no idea how well the University is run."
Broadening participants' views of the University is a main goal of the Administrative Fellows Program, which is offered jointly by the Office of the President and the Commission for Women. In the program, which is open to full-time faculty and staff, Fellows serve under the mentorship of a senior-level administrator in order to learn more about the complex issues facing higher education and how decisions are made in higher education administration. Completion of the program does not guarantee an administrative appointment at the University, although many past Fellows have moved on to administrative posts at Penn State and within other organizations.
Limbert, whose mentor was Robert E. Dunham, former senior vice president and dean of the Commonwealth Educational System, said being an Administrative Fellow led her to make the transition from teaching to administration.
"The great thing about the program is that it's like a safety net -- if you find that you don't like administrative work, you can return to your faculty or staff position," she said. Limbert had gotten a taste of higher education administration while at Penn State Shenango through involvement in the Faculty Senate and other committees. After her colleagues urged her to apply to be a Fellow, she decided to give it a shot.
"I loved teaching, but I wanted something more," she said. "The Administrative Fellows Program gave me more by really preparing me for administrative work."
Administrative Fellows get to broaden their views by attending meetings of the Board of Trustees, University Planning Council, President's Council, and other high-level committees, observing senior-level decision-making processes, and working on special projects assigned by their mentors, among other career development-related activities. The fellowship year is designed to make participants more effective in their current jobs and help them better understand career opportunities that may be open to them in the future. However, the program serves as much more than a training ground for potential administrators. Susan Shuman, who was a Fellow in 1997-98 to John A. Brighton, then executive vice president and provost of the University, said her self-confidence grew immeasurably after participating in the program.
"You cannot come out of the experience unchanged," explained Shuman, a diversity planning analyst.
Linda Higginson, associate dean for students and academic support in the Commonwealth College, agrees that being a Fellow provides an opportunity for both personal and professional growth.
"The program forces you into self-reflection because you're in 'learner mode,'" said Higginson, who was a Fellow to Dunham in 1994-95. "There's no expectation for you to produce things as you would in your regular position -- you're there to learn about yourself and how decisions are made in higher education administration."
Higginson, who had her sights set on being an Administrative Fellow for some time, said the program more than met her expectations.
"It's one thing to read about something, but it's another to actually experience it," she said, noting that the program provides opportunities for potential administrators and for those who just want to learn about the University's administration.
Although each participant has a different fellowship experience, past Fellows agree that Penn State administrators' willingness to discuss issues with them was a huge benefit of the program.
Being a Fellow has benefited the careers of many people since the program's inception in 1986, and past Fellows said they feel strongly about sharing their experiences with others.
"People were so generous with their time and their thoughts while I was a Fellow," Shuman said. "I want to give back by sharing what I learned with others."
Three individuals will be selected to participate in the Administrative Fellows Program for 2000-2001: one will work with Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost; one will work with Rodney P. Kirsch, vice president for development; and one will work with James H. Ryan, vice president for Outreach and Cooperative Extension. Successful applicants will be placed on leave of absence from their current positions and continue to receive a regular salary.
The starting dates of each fellowship may vary depending on the office and the Fellow's commitments. A screening and interview committee will recommend applicants to the mentors. The committee includes past Fellows and representatives from the Commission for Women, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, Office of Human Resources and the Office of the President. Applications are available from Katryn Boynton in 201 Old Main, University Park, and should be returned to Robert Secor, 201 Old Main, no later than Jan. 31.