Oakland University faculty bring leadership experience to national AASCU cohort

Four Oakland University faculty members recently joined department chairs from across the country for a national leadership institute designed to strengthen academic leadership through professional development, peer learning and collaboration.

Melissa Hoag, Ph.D., Doris and Paul Travis Professor of Music and chair of the Department of Music; Yongjin Lu, Ph.D., professor and chairperson of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Guangzhi Qu, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Tomoko Wakabayashi, EdD, professor and department chair/coordinator in the School of Education and Human Services, participated in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) department chair leadership training Sept. 9-10 in Washington, D.C.

The semester-long AASCU cohort brings together department chairs from institutions across the country for intensive learning, peer exchange and professional networking. The experience gives academic leaders an opportunity to share challenges, learn from colleagues and explore approaches they can bring back to their own institutions.

Melissa Hoag

For Hoag, the opportunity provided practical leadership tools that she can apply directly to her work as chair.

"I am immensely grateful to Provost Amy Thompson for her willingness to support the professional development of Oakland's department chairs,” she said. “I don't think I can overstate how important this kind of leadership training is — certainly for me. The program gave me practical tools that I know will make me more effective in my role as music department chair."

Wakabayashi said Oakland was particularly well represented among the participants, with the four OU faculty members making up a significant presence within the cohort. Participants were divided into small groups that brought together chairs from different universities and academic disciplines.

Despite differences among institutions and departments, Wakabayashi said participants often found themselves confronting similar issues.

Tomoko Wakabayashi

One example was the frequently discussed "race to R1," referring to the pursuit of recognition as a research-intensive university.

"What stood out to me was that we had very similar challenges," Wakabayashi said. "Learning about how others are experiencing and have addressed similar issues were insightful as well as comforting."

Wakabayashi said the training included practical strategies and stories from other academic leaders that she hopes to implement in her work at Oakland.

She also appreciated learning more about OU's role within AASCU, noting that Oakland President Ora Pescovitz and Provost Amy Thompson currently play significant roles in the organization.

Qu said the opportunity to learn from academic leaders at other institutions offered perspectives that could be applied to both current and future challenges at Oakland.

Guangzhi Qu

"Academic leadership is an opportunity to continuously learn from others and bring those lessons back to our institutions,” Qu said. “One of the most valuable parts of the AASCU cohort was learning practical approaches from peers who have faced challenges similar to those we are experiencing at Oakland University. Just as importantly, their experiences helped me think more proactively about issues we may encounter in the future and how to address them before they become problems."

The experience reflects Oakland University's broader commitment to supporting faculty leadership and connecting the university with communities beyond its campus.

As a public doctoral institution, Oakland impacts Michigan and the world through education, research, scholarship and creative activity. Community engagement is an important part of that mission, connecting the university's expertise and resources with broader communities through teaching, research and service.

The AASCU cohort provides another avenue for that engagement. By participating in national conversations with academic leaders from other institutions, OU faculty are able to share their own experiences while bringing new ideas, strategies and perspectives back to Oakland.

Yongjin Lu

"One of the most valuable aspects of the AASCU experience was the opportunity to examine our shared higher education landscape and walk away with actionable solutions,” Lu said. “Thanks to Provost Thompson's strong commitment to our professional growth, the insights shared across institutions gave me fresh perspectives to bring back to Oakland University in support of our faculty, students, and broader campus community."

The project also highlights the ways faculty leadership can extend beyond individual departments. The knowledge and relationships developed through professional networks such as AASCU can contribute to the university's academic community while helping OU faculty better serve students, colleagues and the communities connected to the university.

For Wakabayashi, that exchange of ideas was one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience.

"There were some very useful strategies and stories shared at the training, which I'm hoping to implement going forward,” she said.

The participation of Hoag, Lu, Qu and Wakabayashi demonstrates Oakland University's commitment to developing faculty leaders who engage with their peers, share expertise and bring new ideas back to the university.

Their work through AASCU is one example of how OU faculty extend the university's reach beyond campus — strengthening connections, learning from others and contributing to the broader higher education community.

To learn more about Oakland University’s Community Engagement and how OU faculty, staff and students are making a difference beyond campus, visit oakland.edu/community.