Penn State Intercom......October 17, 2002
Administrative Fellows
Program
opens door to advancement
By Annemarie Mountz
Public Information
Susan Youtz is perfectly frank about what the Administrative Fellows Program has done for her.
"I would not have my current position if not for the Administrative Fellows Program," said the executive secretary of the University Faculty Senate.
Youtz, who had been an instructor in the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Development and had held various administrative roles there, had been looking for new challenges and opportunities after 16 years as a faculty member.
"Having been on the Commission for Women and knowing some of the Administrative Fellows was the jump-start for me to make my application," she said.
Youtz served her Fellowship in 1999-2000 under James Ryan, vice president for Outreach and Cooperative Extension.
"Going in, I didn't have a set agenda, but I wanted to learn more about Outreach and Cooperative Extension. Half-way through my Fellowship, people were asking me what I wanted to do when it was over. I ended up staying there one-and-a-half years, providing leadership for the Creating Health project, a rural and women's health collaborative project with four colleges, Cooperative Extension and Penn State Public Broadcasting."
In August 2001, Youtz was named to her current position.
Her success story has been mirrored 42 times in the Fellows that have gone through the program since its inception in 1986.
Nancy Herron, associate dean for Academic Programs in the Commonwealth College, calls her year as an Administrative Fellow "the most important year of my professional life." Herron, who was head librarian at Penn State McKeesport before her Fellowship in 1990-91, learned about higher-education administration under Charles Hosler, then-senior vice president for research.
"The Administrative Fellows Program helped me by broadening my perspective, allowing me to watch decision-makers work, and by establishing an important network of colleagues," Herron said. "It also provided self-confidence and esteem."
Applications and nominations are currently being sought for the Administrative Fellows Program for 2003-04. Three Fellows will work with mentors Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost; Eva J. Pell, vice president for research and dean of The Graduate School; and Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer.
The Fellow who will work for the provost already has been named. The selection committee interviewed a talented pool of applicants last year. Two candidates emerged from that process and were strongly recommended to the provost. The provost found both to be exciting candidates, and a decision was made to offer both candidates the opportunity, one for the 2002-03 academic year and the other for 2003-04. The selection committee encourages all interested individuals to submit an application to the program to work with one of the two other mentors as announced.
The Administrative Fellows Program, a joint program of the Office of the President and the Commission for Women, provides career development opportunities for faculty and staff.
"By serving under the mentorship of a senior level administrator, fellows who are seeking the background necessary to compete at higher levels of administration will have an opportunity to broaden their perspectives and experience," said Bob Secor, vice provost for Academic Affairs, whose unit houses the program.
According to Secor, specific objectives of the program are:
* to increase the Administrative Fellows' awareness of the complexity of issues facing higher education and to enhance their understanding of the environment in which decisions are made;
* to provide opportunities for Administrative Fellows to participate in a wide range of decision-making processes and learning activities to better equip them to understand the challenges of higher education administration; and
* to provide the opportunity to observe a variety of leadership styles.
Although completion of the program does not guarantee appointment to an administrative position at the University, people who complete the program increase the pool of qualified candidates.
"Mentoring, networking and learning are the basis of the program," said Youtz. "It is life-changing. A lot of people don't know what a wonderful thing it is that we have here. This is a well-developed program. The University is making a real investment in its employees, opening doors and facilitating leadership opportunities for people who otherwise may not have been in a position to take advantage of those opportunities."
To apply, nominees must hold full-time faculty or staff positions; have demonstrated success in current positions and interest in an administrative career; demonstrate evidence of leadership experience and decision-making ability; have the ability to relate effectively to students, faculty and staff; exhibit a commitment to diversity; and have a willingness to accept a wide variety of assignments.
Faculty and staff meeting these qualifications at all University locations are strongly urged to apply. Successful candidates will be placed on a 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 candidates to the mentors. Serving on the committee are past fellows and representatives from the Commission for Women, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, Office of Human Resources and the vice provosts for undergraduate education and academic affairs.
Applications are available from Katryn Boynton in 201 Old Main, University Park, or online at http://www.psu.edu/oldmain/vprov and should be returned to Robert Secor, 201 Old Main, no later than Jan. 13.
Herron and Youtz both urge anyone interested in the program to talk to current or former Fellows to hear what the program is doing for them.
"Every Fellow has a different experience, both because of what they bring to the program and because of what the mentor brings to it." said Youtz. "For anyone chosen as a Fellow, I'd say to fasten your seat belt -- you're in for a major ride."
Annemarie Mountz can be reached at AMountz@psu.edu.