A well-rounded scholar is one who is fully engaged in the dialogue of the profession and contributes to improve one's home institution by implementing the best practices of the discipline. I have had the unique privilege to serve in a variety of roles at a variety of institutional levels, including departmental roles like Head, Coordinator of the French Language Program and Director of Graduate Studies in Modern Languages; university roles like Graduate Council representative and reviewer for the university research and travel grant awards (Faculty Development Awards & University Small Research Grants); and professional roles like delegate to the Modern Language Association. Most recently, I had the honor of serving as Associate Dean for Student Success, Engagement and Undergraduate Studies at Kansas State University. Currently, I serve as the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Puterbaugh Foundation Endowed Chair at Oklahoma State University. Whether it is spearheading initiatives like career development and mentoring across the College of Arts and Sciences or supporting departmental initiatives in order to increase visibility and access to our students' scholarly and creative endeavors, or chairing a university taskforce, I believe that service is crucial to furthering our mission.
Please consult my CV for a detailed list of my administrative experience and service.
Please consult my CV for a detailed list of my administrative experience and service.
Statement of Leadership Style
I seek to encourage and empower. Through a varied, inclusive, and flexible approach, I work to build bridges and foster the development of new procedures and ideas that will benefit all involved. This approach must be balanced with a keen understanding of the objectives of one’s work and an analysis of the challenges that face a particular committee or unit. I believe strongly in promoting dialogue and a fair, inclusive work environment when resolving problems. My goal is to be an organized, effective, and conscientious leader, and I look for creative approaches to encourage open communication, build cohesive teams, and achieve common goals. To achieve that goal, one must treat all members of the team equitably and understand the varied nature of communication. I view my role as an engaged facilitator. Everyone has a different style of interaction and communication, and it is crucial to make space for all to have a seat at the table, to empower colleagues to share their views and to ensure each member has agency to act and engage as needed.
To manage effectively, one must be a committed member of the team. I believe in accountability, particularly my own, when collaborating with colleagues or with students. To this end, I work to set achievable goals for all involved, myself included, that will help to move the committee or team towards succeeding in the stated mission. Identifying metrics for success helps to evaluate progress in complicated moments and determine a change in action if indicated. Drawing upon my varied experience in instruction and service as well as my training in pedagogy and effective instructional strategies, I bring a diverse and flexible approach to management. It is imperative to focus on the objectives, facilitate dialogue among team members, and encourage creativity and flexibility to resolve issues as they appear. By focusing on team building, inclusiveness, dialogue, and empowerment, I create opportunities for reflection and success.
Institutions of higher education, particularly land-grant institutions, have a responsibility to create new knowledge and work towards making the world a better place. To truly accomplish transformational change, we must attend to the imperative to enhance morale, engagement, productivity, success, and innovation within the institution and in every facet of what we do. From instructional practice to curricular design to institutional structure and leadership philosophy, we must ensure that a commitment to genuine and equitable engagement remains firmly at the center of our practices. At its core, this means caring about others, creating space for plurality, and ensuring that all members of the community are seen, heard, and supported. It also means acknowledging that accomplishments in this area are never the sole achievement of a singular person but rather the result of concerted effort on the part of many working together. Moreover, true change is not marked by singular achievements but by a long-term commitment.
To manage effectively, one must be a committed member of the team. I believe in accountability, particularly my own, when collaborating with colleagues or with students. To this end, I work to set achievable goals for all involved, myself included, that will help to move the committee or team towards succeeding in the stated mission. Identifying metrics for success helps to evaluate progress in complicated moments and determine a change in action if indicated. Drawing upon my varied experience in instruction and service as well as my training in pedagogy and effective instructional strategies, I bring a diverse and flexible approach to management. It is imperative to focus on the objectives, facilitate dialogue among team members, and encourage creativity and flexibility to resolve issues as they appear. By focusing on team building, inclusiveness, dialogue, and empowerment, I create opportunities for reflection and success.
Institutions of higher education, particularly land-grant institutions, have a responsibility to create new knowledge and work towards making the world a better place. To truly accomplish transformational change, we must attend to the imperative to enhance morale, engagement, productivity, success, and innovation within the institution and in every facet of what we do. From instructional practice to curricular design to institutional structure and leadership philosophy, we must ensure that a commitment to genuine and equitable engagement remains firmly at the center of our practices. At its core, this means caring about others, creating space for plurality, and ensuring that all members of the community are seen, heard, and supported. It also means acknowledging that accomplishments in this area are never the sole achievement of a singular person but rather the result of concerted effort on the part of many working together. Moreover, true change is not marked by singular achievements but by a long-term commitment.
