UT Martin has established the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy, a leader and leadership development program for UTM faculty and staff, which will begin this fall.
The Chancellor’s Leadership Academy is an eight-month program that will enable participants to build their leadership skills and apply them to their university roles.
“The Chancellor’s Leadership Academy represents our strategic investment in UT Martin’s most valuable asset: our people,” Freeman said. “Since arriving on campus in 2023, I’ve been continuously impressed by the exceptional talent and dedication of our faculty and staff. This eight-month leadership experience isn’t just professional development; it’s a transformative journey that challenges participants to think critically, broadly and deeply about the future of higher education.”
Program highlights include executive coaching sessions, personalized assessments with certified trainers, “wicked problem” exercises and engagement with UTM and UT System leaders.
The program will begin in September and run through April 2026. The orientation program will be held Sept. 4, followed by programs on Oct. 2, Nov. 13, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5 and April 2. The graduation program will be held April 30.
The first cohort of the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy consists of 13 UTM faculty or staff members:
- Ashley Bynum, senior associate athletics director for internal operations, Office of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Dr. Brittany Cole, assistant professor, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
- Dr. Kelli Deere, director, UT Martin Parsons Center
- Dr. Steve Elliott, professor and chair, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Dr. Austin Ferrell, assistant professor, Department of Educational Studies
- Will Gibson, disability and testing services manager, Accessibility Resource Center
- Dr. Henri Giles, assistant professor, Department of History and Philosophy
- Dr. Margaret Lewis, professor, Department of History and Philosophy
- Dr. Saman Sargolzaei, associate professor, Department of Engineering
- Jennifer Schlicht, executive assistant, Division of University Advancement
- Callie Smithson, business manager, Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources
- Tammy Stanford, assistant director for success counseling, Student Success Center
- Lt. Chad Worley, administrative and special services lieutenant, Department of Public Safety
“For the 13 individuals selected from our competitive applicant pool, this represents both a recognition of their demonstrated potential and our commitment to preparing the next generation of university leaders,” Freeman said.
“As these participants engage with campus and system executives, tackle collaborative problem-solving and receive personalized coaching, they’ll not only advance their own leadership capabilities but also contribute directly to advancing our institution. The Chancellor’s Leadership Academy embodies our Skyhawk spirit of excellence and our dedication to cultivating leadership that will shape UT Martin’s future.”
The Chancellor’s Leadership Academy is open to all faculty and staff upon application and selection, and the benefits of participation will extend beyond personal development. Participants will gain increased awareness of the challenges facing higher education, advance their leadership confidence, cultivate collaboration throughout UT Martin and prepare for professional advancement.
More information about the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy can be found at www.utm.edu/leadershipacademy.
