NSU Administrator Selected for AASCU Emerging Leaders Program

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University administrator, Dr. Kendra Haggard, director of student engagement and transitions, has been selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to participate in their Emerging Leaders Program. 

The program consists of a cohort of higher education professionals from across the country, selected for their outstanding work. Haggard was the only person chosen from Oklahoma. The ELP is a leadership program designed to prepare academic and administrative professionals exploring opportunities to advance to higher-level administrative positions. 

“It is an honor to have been chosen for the ELP,” Haggard said. “AASCU only selects 35 people to be a part of the cohort each year. I was able to learn about how to improve my leadership techniques and also how to help my team grow. In addition, I met 34 amazing people who I can go to for advice and to brainstorm ideas.”

Participants from this year’s ELP cohort started the program with a trip to Washington, D.C. on June 24-26. For the remainder of the six-month program, members will participate in interactive virtual sessions. During these sessions, they will discuss topics ranging from modern-day leadership challenges to best practices for an executive search. 

Haggard said she had no idea how much she would enjoy the ELP or how much she would learn. She said she is thankful she was selected and had this opportunity to learn and grow in her leadership.

“I am most excited about using my Working Genius techniques and the program development techniques I learned on my project for ELP and meeting with my cohort each month to receive feedback,” Haggard said. “The information that I learned will benefit NSU because I will be able to apply what I have learned to my own leadership. I can share that information with my team to help us continue to grow and use our strengths to create more programs for our students at NSU.”

In addition to the in-person and online learning opportunities, ELP members are tasked with completing activities on their home campus that will continue to refine their managerial and leadership skills. While working on the activities, members will receive guidance from an on-campus sponsor and a project advisor.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Haggard for being selected to participate in the AASCU ELP,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “I am confident that Dr. Haggard’s experience with ELP will greatly benefit our university and its students as she applies the insights and skills gained to further strengthen our NSU communities.” 

ELP features a strong relational component that encourages deeper peer-to-peer learning. As a result, members form and nurture bonds with each other and their sponsors and advisors, while being in an environment that offers safety, support and trust.

“ELP focuses on the relational component and demonstrates how the 35 members of the cohort connect,” Haggard said. “Through this connection, they also showed us how we can make stronger connections with our teams and campus partners. I am excited to show my team what I have learned about how we can use each of our strengths to make us even stronger.”

For more information about the Emerging Leaders Program, visit https://aascu.org/leadership-development/emerging-leaders-program/.  

To learn more about NSU, visit nsuok.edu. 

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