The College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) has launched a new leadership program focused on supporting emerging faculty leaders in their walk toward successful leadership.
Dr. Chad McEvoy, the dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, who co-chairs the CAST LEAD program together with Executive Associate Dean Dr. Cara Rabe-Hemp, emphasized the impact that leadership development in CAST has on the college’s goals.
“Higher education is at an important point in time, and developing leaders for CAST is a vital investment in our college’s future.”
The program, officially known as the CAST Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) program, aims at identifying, fostering, and supporting emerging leaders to refine skills for success in leadership positions while developing support networks.
The comprehensive, nine-month program nurtures the competencies and self-assuredness of emerging leaders as they deepen their understanding of issues impacting Illinois State University and higher education throughout this academic year.
Under the newly launched program, a cohort of six participants are getting the opportunity to build the skills needed to meet leadership responsibilities and enhance their leadership potential through reading assignments, targeted discussions, and enlightening panel discussions.
“CAST LEAD provides participants with the opportunity to build skills and experiences needed to meet leadership responsibilities, whether those are formal leadership roles like future department chairs, school directors, or other administrative positions on campus, or as better informed and developed faculty leaders in our CAST units,” said McEvoy.
The inaugural cohort of CAST LEAD includes Dr. Jennifer Banning (Family and Consumer Sciences), Dr. Amy Bardwell (Family and Consumer Sciences), Dr. Jin Jo (Technology), Dr. Lucas Maxwell (Agriculture), Dr. Iuliia Tetteh (Agriculture) and Dr. Liangcheng Yang (Health Sciences). CAST LEAD content includes topics such as strategic leadership, finance and budgeting, exploring leadership styles, leading with emotional intelligence, and improving cultural competence.
“Executive Associate Dean Cara Rabe-Hemp and I are excited to work with this outstanding cohort of faculty participants in CAST LEAD this year as part of a journey of leadership growth,” added McEvoy.
