University Park

2009-10 Administrative Fellows announced at University Park

University Park, Pa. – For the 23rd consecutive year, three Penn State faculty and staff members will again gain first-hand experience in leadership through Penn State's  Administrative Fellows program. The 2009-10 Fellows have been selected and include:

-- Teresa A. Davis, director of Transportation Services, Auxiliary and Business Services. Her mentor will be Craig Weidmann, vice president for Outreach.

-- Karin E. Foley, associate dean, Eberly College of Science. She will be mentored by Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs.

-- Patreese D. Ingram, associate professor of agricultural and extension education, College of Agricultural Sciences. Her mentor will be Rodney Erickson, executive vice president and provost.

The Administrative Fellows Program offers Penn State faculty and staff the opportunity to work with senior University officers to gain knowledge and experiences pertaining to the challenges of leadership in the academic community. The program provides the chance for participants to strengthen their administrative talents and qualifications by working with a Penn State administrator in a mentoring relationship. Fellows increase their understanding of the contexts within which decisions are made and gain an increased understanding of the various units across the University. The length of the program is one academic year.

"The Administrative Fellows Program offers a unique opportunity for professional development at higher levels of administration," said Blannie Bowen, vice provost for Academic Affairs. "Fellows obtain access to a mentor who can familiarize them with issues facing higher education, broaden their leadership skills and perspective and help prepare them for any future advancement in their careers. The experience they gain also can benefit them as they return to their existing positions of leadership."

Davis, director of Transportation Services, Auxiliary and Business Services, plans, organizes, directs and evaluates parking initiatives to include strategic planning, capital planning and emergency planning. She directs the management of transportation services at University Park, with a student enrollment of more than 43,000 and more than 23,500 employees; over 17,000 parking spaces, including four parking structures; a 450-vehicle rental fleet; and campus bus and shuttle services. Davis has built positive relations with key federal, state and local government, transportation, police and campus entities to promote mutually beneficial goals. Davis earned her doctoral degree in workforce education and development from Penn State, received her certification of administrator of public parking from the University of Virginia, her master's degree in public administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and a bachelor of science in liberal studies from the University of the State of New York, Albany.  

"I feel that this program will give me the opportunity to observe and learn from the University administrators in areas that I have the least contact with in my current position," said Davis. "I am very intrigued by the University's activities with the state and with business and industry in terms of employment and training opportunities."

Foley, associate dean of the Eberly College of Science, fosters interdisciplinary research opportunities, oversees matching funds commitments, serves on selection panels for limited submissions, leads oversight committees for large research grants, serves on University-wide committees and provides general support for the research mission of the college. She also participates in strategic planning for the college; oversees the college's research administration, facilities, human resources and information technology planning; directs orientation activities for new faculty and provides general administrative, budget and leadership support for the dean.

"I feel very privileged having the opportunity to spend a year shadowing Damon Sims, who has already established himself here as a respected leader and effective advocate for students," Foley said. "This will certainly help me be more efficient in my current position, and I'll have a broader perspective of the University. I think all leaders and administrators can do a better job of leading, the more knowledgeable they are about the whole organization or institution of which they are a part."

Ingram, associate professor of agricultural and extension education, holds an appointment split between extension activity (75 percent) and research (25 percent). Her teaching, research and service have been directed toward building the capacity of extension educators, extension clientele/audiences and undergraduate and graduate students to communicate, serve and work effectively with diverse populations. Ingram has a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Michigan University, a master's degree in community service and an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Michigan State University .

"I see the University from my small corner of the world in the College of Agricultural Sciences, but I want to learn about how the University operates from a much broader perspective so I can make a greater contribution to the goals and success of the University," said Ingram. "With a better knowledge and understanding of the issues at Penn State, I can't help but be more helpful to my department and college."

For more information about the Administrative Fellows Program, visit http://www.psu.edu/dept/vprov/.

 

Last Updated May 29, 2012