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Kentucky State University professor Dr. Donavan L. Ramon was among the first cohort to graduate from the Council on Postsecondary Education’s Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI) Nov. 2.

Ramon, assistant professor of liberal studies in the Whitney Young School of Honors, was one of nearly 20 graduates from campuses across the commonwealth.

“It has been a privilege working with my ALDI cohort members the past several months,” Ramon said. “I have learned a great deal about mentoring and leadership through this initiative. I look forward to becoming an administrator and using the leadership skills I have cultivated through ALDI.”

“The institute was created to address the personal, interpersonal and organizational issues faced by early career, underrepresented minority faculty,” according to officials from the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). “Throughout this year, these 19 faculty have participated in workshops that address the state of affairs in postsecondary education – changing campus demographics, achievement gaps, legislation and higher education, performance funding, and high-impact educational practices to support student success.”

According to CPE officials, “participants also interviewed leaders currently serving in positions they aspire to and have been encouraged to seek mentors who can support their leadership aspirations.”