NC State’s Office for Faculty Excellence hosted nearly 100 academic leaders from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) conference Nov. 18-20.
Academic leaders from the ACC member institutions explored critical issues, shared innovative practices and strengthened collaborations across their universities. The conference underscored the significance of inter-institutional partnerships and leadership development within higher education, setting a stage for future advancements.
The ACC ALN aims to build a robust network of academic leaders across its 15 member institutions, enabling the exchange of ideas, resources and strategies to address contemporary challenges in higher education. The 2024 conference embodied this mission, offering a dynamic agenda filled with opportunities to collaborate, innovate and inspire.
Welcoming participants from diverse academic disciplines and administrative roles, the event began with a reception, setting the tone for three days of rich dialogue and exploration. Participants included provosts, deans, department chairs and faculty leaders, creating a multidisciplinary environment for robust discussions on leadership and collaboration.
NC State’s 2024 ACC ALN cohort includes David Andow, head of the Department of Applied Ecology; Sontina Barnes, coordinator of the JD/MSW Dual Degree Program, NC State School of Social Work with Campbell Law School; Jason Bocarro, Owens-Shelton Distinguished Professor of Leadership with a Global Perspective and James Buzzard Leadership Development Program Director, College of Natural Resources; Robert Scheller, associate dean for research, College of Natural Resources; and Gavin Williams, head of the Department of Chemistry.
The conference provided an opportunity for NC State to showcase several programs by leading discussions on interdisciplinary programs, the role of the dean in university advancement, university accreditation and conflict management. It also highlighted NC State’s Centennial Campus and how academia can interface with industry and government to drive progress, and a fireside chat featuring Chancellor Randy Woodson and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden.
Participants also engaged in tours of NC State’s facilities, including the iconic Hunt Library and JC Raulston Arboretum. These tours offered firsthand experiences of the university’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, inspiring attendees to envision similar transformations at their campuses.
The ACC ALN conference is more than a meeting of academic leaders—it is a catalyst for action. The event fosters partnerships that transcend institutional boundaries by convening leaders from member institutions driving research, teaching and administration innovation.
The ACC ALN is crucial in preparing the next generation of academic leaders. The network empowers participants to address emerging challenges with confidence and creativity by creating a space for dialogue and collaboration.
If you are interested in being a member of the NC State’s cohort for the ACC ALN, the Office for Faculty Excellence is currently seeking applications for five NC State faculty leaders to participate in the 2025 ACC ALN program.
The program consists of a virtual kick-off and three on-site sessions over the course of the calendar year, each hosted at a different participating university campus. These sessions are designed to build leadership awareness and effectiveness in the context of higher education, and facilitate conversations over a range of topics that support leadership growth in key areas across multiple spheres of influence.
The sessions for 2025 are:
- Feb. 7, 1-3 p.m., Virtual Kickoff on Zoom
- March 26-28, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
- June 23-25, University of Miami, Miami, FL
- Oct. 20-22, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
For more information about the ACC ALN, please see the 2025 flier. To apply, please fill out this brief application form by 5 p.m. on Dec. 18. Please contact Jonathan Holloway, Leadership Program manager (jphollow@ncsu.edu), with any questions.
