By Lauren Kolzow
Over the decades, NIU has increasingly prioritized and nurtured its leaders.
This commitment to fostering homegrown leadership is exemplified by the success of the Emerging Faculty Leadership Program (EFLP), which has effectively prepared faculty members for strategic roles within the university’s administration.
This is particularly evident in the appointments of our two newest department chairs: Ursula Sullivan, our Department of Marketing chair, and Barton Sharp, our Department of Management chair, who both began their new roles on July 1. Charles Petersen, who has been the chair of our Department of Operations Management and Information Systems (OM&IS) since July 2023, has also been through the leadership program. Their experiences underscore the program’s substantial impact on equipping faculty for leadership positions while maintaining their academic responsibilities.
The EFLP is an intensive professional development initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing future leaders within NIU. Overseen by the Provost’s Office, the program selects eight to ten faculty members annually. Participants engage in regular cohort meetings, assigned readings and panel discussions, all designed to expand their capacity for leadership in higher education. This preparation is crucial and has had a profound impact on participants, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to transition from individual faculty roles to leadership positions.
Petersen emphasized the program’s role in broadening his perspective.
“As chairs, we must realize that we are no longer individuals driven solely by our own research, teaching and service. We assume a role with its own skill sets, goals, and dispositions,” he explained. He highlighted the importance of the chair as a boundary spanner for the department, responsible for connecting faculty talents with the needs of majors, the campus and external constituents.
Sullivan also shared her journey through the EFLP and its significance in her career progression. She noted that the program was designed to grow leadership from within, ensuring that faculty members are well-prepared for administrative roles.
“The EFLP allowed me to meet other faculty members in similar situations, which was incredibly valuable. It prepared me to understand how things function at NIU and who to contact for various needs,” she said. “There is a lot of reading and meeting time involved, but the program’s structure made it manageable. It’s about being challenged in a good way and gaining insights that help you grow as a leader.”
Sullivan also underscored the program’s structure, which made balancing its demands with her academic responsibilities manageable.
Sharp reflected on the dual perspectives gained through the EFLP.
“The EFLP does an excellent job of helping faculty understand how administration views what we do and how we do it. This understanding is key to working effectively as a department chair,” he said, noting the value of the networking opportunities provided by the program. “The EFLP gave us an opportunity to make connections with people across campus that we otherwise wouldn’t likely meet. That kind of network is incredibly valuable.”
One common theme among Petersen, Sullivan, and Sharp is the challenge of balancing EFLP participation with their teaching duties. However, each found the program’s benefits to far outweigh the demands.
“Any additional responsibility can be a burden, but the EFLP was well worth the effort,” Sharp said. “The meetings were well-run and productive, and the materials provided were engaging and interesting.”
Sullivan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the support from colleagues and the program’s structure.
“The only reason I have been able to do this is because of the support from my department and the college,” Sullivan said. “The administrative folks have been incredibly helpful, offering assistance whenever needed.”
As the college’s new chairs step into their roles and continue to lead, they bring with them the skills and insights gained from the EFLP.
Petersen looks forward to supporting his department’s faculty in achieving their career goals, whether in teaching, research, or leadership.
“Our faculty are committed to excellence in the classroom and bringing their cutting-edge knowledge to our students. My job is to do what I can to develop and support them so that they will reach their career goals,” Petersen said.
Sullivan is excited about leveraging her newfound network and knowledge to propel the marketing department forward.
“The EFLP has prepared me to understand how things function at NIU and who to contact for various needs,” she said.
Sharp aims to support his department’s existing strengths in student engagement, research quality and collegiality.
“Rather than coming into the role aiming to make significant changes, my goal is to support our outstanding faculty and staff in continuing to do what they do so well,” he said.
As these new chairs lead their departments, the impact of the EFLP will undoubtedly be reflected in their continued success and the elevation of NIU’s academic leadership.
For more information about the EFLP, go to go.niu.edu/EFLP.
