ACC Academic Leaders Network

About the ACC ALN

The ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) program is an exciting collaborative leadership program for faculty at ACC institutions who aspire to leadership roles in higher education. 

Launched in 2018, the annual ALN program is designed to facilitate cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders while building leadership capacity for the participating institutions. The ALN provides an opportunity for participants to strengthen leadership competency, to build networks and relations across ACC institutions, to deepen understanding of higher education administration, and to broaden awareness of higher education leadership needs and challenges.

Up to five participants are selected from each ACC institution. Faculty who are currently department or division chairs, associate deans, associate vice provosts, or other similar roles can be nominated by deans and campus presidents for consideration. Nominations are solicited in late spring.

University of Pittsburgh Participants

See the cohorts of participating University of Pittsburgh faculty below.

Cohort 4 (2023)

  • Dr. Mary Besterfield-Sacre, Nicholas A. DeCecco Professor of Industrial Engineering and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Swanson School of Engineering 
  • Dr. Rosta Farzan, Associate Professor of Computing and Information and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, School of Computing and Information 
  • Dr. M. Kathleen Kelly, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Dean – Academic Outreach & Advising, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences 
  • Dr. Heeyoung Lee, Associate Professor of Nursing and Interim Chair, Department of Health & Community Systems 
  • Dr. Gayle Rogers, Andrew W. Mellon Professor and Chair of English, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 

Host campuses for Cohort 4: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Syracuse University, and Duke University

Cohort 3 (2022)

  • Dr. Jessica Burke, Professor of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Interim Vice Dean, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Interim Chair of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health 
  • Dr. Jacqueline Horrall, Associate Professor of Economics, Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 
  • Dr. Adam Lee, Professor of Computer Science, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, School of Computing and Information 
  • Prof. Tomar Pierson-Brown, Clinical Associate Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusive Excellence, School of Law 
  • Dr. Jonathan Woon, Professor of Political Science, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 

Host campuses for Cohort 3: Virginia Tech, Boston College, and University of Virginia

Cohort 2 (2019–2020)

  • Dr. Valire Carr Copeland, School of Social Work
  • Prof. Haider Ala Hamoudi, School of Law
  • Dr. Julius Kitutu, School of Nursing
  • Dr. Tara Meyer, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
  • Dr. Amy Seybert, School of Pharmacy

Host campuses for Cohort 2: University of Pittsburgh, Florida State, and North Carolina State

ACC ALN Cohort 2 participants

Left to right: Prof. Haider Ala Hamoudi, Dr. Tara Meyer,Dr. Valire Carr Copeland, Dr. Amy Seybert, Dr. Julius Kitutu.

Cohort 1 (2018–2019)

  • Dr. Kay Brummond, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
  • Dr. Bruce Childers, School of Computing and Information
  • Dr. Eleanor Feingold, Graduate School of Public Health
  • Dr. Adam Leibovich, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
  • Dr. Melissa McGivney, School of Pharmacy

Host campuses for Cohort 1: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Notre Dame

Left to right: Dr. Melissa McGivney, Dr. Adam Leibovich, Dr. Kay Brummond, Provost Ann E. Cudd, Dr. Eleanor Feingold, Dr. Bruce Childers.