Inspiring Innovation through the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program

Dear Colleagues,

A significant part of our mission to inspire ingenuity and innovation at the university relies upon the Office for Faculty Advancement to promote growth for faculty members who do so much for UK and its people. Part of those efforts for faculty development are implementing programs like the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC-ALDP).

This prestigious program was established in 2007 to identify and foster the growth of academic leaders to lead universities into and beyond the future. To prepare the future of university leadership, each group of selected fellows engages in robust programming about a diverse range of topics, with the following goals:

• Stimulating academic leaders to think critically about the future of the academy.
• Increasing knowledge and understanding of academic leadership in the 21st century.
• Embracing the strength inherent in creating diverse and inclusive academic communities.
• Developing the managerial and organizational skills required to lead complex, diverse and inclusive organizations.
• Improving the general leadership skills and abilities of academic leaders.

Through a highly competitive application process, at least three but no more than four fellows are selected to participate in the program, where they learn to navigate the challenges and complexities of academic leadership. The fellows develop skills necessary to lead complex organizations and create the inclusive learning communities that SEC universities strive to achieve.

At UK, the four current fellows for the SEC-ALDP are:

• Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., senior associate dean for instruction and extension professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
• Luke Bradley, Ph.D., acting chair and professor of Neuroscience in the College of Medicine
• Aaron Cramer, Ph.D., chair and TVA Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
• Brandi Frisby, Ph.D., acting dean and professor in the College of Communication and Information

Throughout the academic year, each of these four outstanding leaders have participated in workshops both on UK’s campus and others. They have demonstrated impactful leadership and deepened their commitment to advancing our mission of teaching, research, service and care to support our Commonwealth’s continued growth. 

For those interested in applying for the SEC-ALDP, applications for next year’s cohort are open through May 10. More information is available here. 

Thank you for your continued efforts to support our community.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost