Dr. Sally Selden, associate dean for academic affairs at University of Lynchburg, is one of 26 mid-level administrators in higher education nationwide selected by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) to participate in a year-long Senior Leadership Academy.
Individuals chosen for the program aspire to senior leadership positions in independent colleges or universities. Dr. Selden will participate in two seminars, one in Pittsburgh, Pa., November 1–3, 2013, and one in Washington, D.C., June 10–12, 2014. She will undertake a mentoring program, experiential learning projects, and a series of readings and case studies.
Dr. Selden, also a professor of management, joined the University of Lynchburg faculty in 2001 after teaching at Syracuse University and the University of Oklahoma. She earned a PhD at the University of Georgia and an MPA and BA at the University of Virginia. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification, and her primary teaching interests are in the areas of management, human resource management, and leadership.
“The need to prepare future leaders of colleges and universities has never been greater because the generation of people now in senior leadership positions on campus is rapidly approaching retirement,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “Competition for the available places in the program was intense, and the review committee found the nomination materials to be most impressive.”
Since the program began in the 2010–2011 academic year, many participants have experienced upward mobility. Eight have been appointed to vice presidencies at other institutions, three have been appointed to vice presidencies at their home institutions, 15 have earned promotions to positions of greater responsibility within their home institutions, and four have advanced to higher positions at other institutions.