As a new year of possibilities begins, the New Leadership Academy (NLA) is excited to welcome a brand-new cohort of nearly forty fellows to the program—its biggest class ever. Representing colleges and universities from across the country, these distinguished and accomplished leaders are excited to deepen their executive skills through the NLA’s groundbreaking platform … right here at the University of Utah!
Unlike traditional “diversity training,” NLA’s curriculum reflects a leadership philosophy aligned with Shared Equity Leadership (SEL), a concept developed by the American Council on Education in conjunction with the Pullias Center for Higher Education. Aimed at “broadly inclusive and collaborative approaches to leadership … necessary to achieve equitable outcomes,” the program is part of a partnership between the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education and NLA. This intensive, hands-on approach to leadership development includes mentoring relationships, professional coaching sessions, a six-month online curriculum that includes sessions with national experts, and a summer institute where fellows will build lasting relationships and deepen their leadership commitments and learning.
“In our second year at the University of Utah, the New Leadership Academy continues to innovate while inspiring leaders—and grow the program to reach broader audiences,” says NLA director, Amy Fulton. “Along with our national NLA Advisory Board, we are continuing to cultivate relationships and provide curriculum for leaders in a variety of professional and academic fields. And the first alumni retreat at the U of U this summer will draw many amazing NLA alumni to Salt Lake, including several college and university leaders who will share their experiences and meet with the new fellows. It’s an exciting time to be part of NLA!”
New enrollees will begin the hybrid curriculum in January 2023 with a self-directed program that will include independent weekly learning materials alongside online workshops and activities to reinforce core program principles. The program culminates in a weeklong in-person gathering scheduled for the summer, when enrollees will participate in a series of intensive workshops and seminars guided by Director Fulton; previous NLA alumni; and a national lineup of experts in leadership and equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To learn about NLA, please visit the New Leadership Academy website or follow their LinkedIn for more information and updates.
New Leadership Academy Fellows
2023 Cohort
- Cristian Aquino-Sterling
Associate Prof. & Director of International Studies
College of Education, San Diego State University - Chris Baczek
Senior Director, Personal Enrichment Programs
The University of Utah - Antrece L. Baggett
College Operations Officer (Interim)
Houston Community College - Jessica Barco
Director of Financial Aid
California State University, Fullerton - Susan Bernardin
Director, School of Language, Culture, & Society
Oregon State University - Sabrina M. Brown
Director for the Office of Student Success
Washington University in St. Louis - Marisela R. Chávez
Director, Faculty Development Center
Professor, Chicana and Chicano Studies
California State University, Dominguez Hills - LaTasha C. DeHaan
Assistant Prof. II of Political Science
Elgin Community College - José Del Real Viramontes
Assistant Prof.
University of California, Riverside - Samantha Eldridge
Director, American Indian Resource Center
The University of Utah - Jared Escobar
Operations Manager
The University of Utah - Antuan Featherstone
Online MSW Program Manager
University of Michigan, School of Social Work - Julio A. Galindo
Chief DIEB Officer & Chief Philanthropy Officer
Mesalands Community College - Andrew K. Gay
Associate Prof. & Chair
Southern Oregon University - Sylvia Gonzalez-Gorman
Associate Prof.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Helen Graham
Dean Liberal Arts, Humanities & Education Professions
Houston Community College - David Hawkins-Jacinto
Sr. Communications Manager; Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI)
The University of Utah - Ignacio Hernández
Associate Prof.
Fresno State - Cristina Herrera
Professor & Director of Chicano/Latino Studies
Portland State University - Aurora Kamimura
Assistant Provost for Inclusive Excellence
Lecturer in Education, Arts & Sciences
Washington University in St. Louis - Russell Kaufman
Campus Chief Information Officer
Miami Dade College - Line Kemeyou, M.D.
University of Utah Health - Lātū Kinikini
Associate Director, Opportunity Scholars Program
David Eccles School of Business (DESB)
The University of Utah - Monica Leisey
Associate Prof.
Salem State University - Gil Lizalde
Director, DSA Business Services
University of Houston - Ivette A. Lopez
Professor & Director
University of Utah Family & Preventive Medicine
Utah Area Health Education Centers - Jennifer Luken Sutton
Director
University of Texas at Arlington - Nafisa Masud
Content Specialist
University of Utah Health - Natasha A. McNeely
Associate Prof. of Political Science
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - Melinda Mejia
Program Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Studies & Humanities
Houston Community College - Idalia Nuñez
Assistant Prof. of Language and Literacy
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Cindy Pickett
Presidential Associate for Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona - Sonia Pruneda-Hernandez
Acting Dean of Education & Social Sciences
Montgomery College - Claudia R. Rodas
HSI Advisor to the Provost
Associate Clinical Professor
Northern Arizona University - Juliana S. Simonetti
Assistant Prof. & Director of Obesity Medicine
Co-Director of PROMIS2U
Co-Director of Comprehensive Weight Management Program
University of Utah Health - Dianne Valdivia
Director of Campus Administration
Miami Dade College - Diana Y. Valle-Murillo
Program Coordinator
CSU Monterey Bay - Katty Del Pilar Youd
EDI Program Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute