---

The Council on Postsecondary recently announced the first cohort of faculty for the Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI). The purpose of ALDI is to create a professional learning community of early career, underrepresented faculty of color who are interested in future administrative leadership positions. Dr. Donavan L. Ramon, Assistant Professor of Liberal Studies in the Whitney Young School of Honors, has been chosen to represent Kentucky State University.

Dr. Ramon was selected because of his leadership ability and interest in advancing to administrative roles. Only one person from each university in Kentucky was selected to participate.

“I am thrilled to develop my leadership skills under the guidance of ALDI, and I look forward to growing under this professional development initiative,” said Dr. Ramon.

The cohort will meet this weekend, April 2-4, in conjunction with the Council’s Student Success Summit in Louisville. Noted scholar Dr. Alma Clayton-Pederson with the Association of American Colleges and Universities will facilitate the inaugural event, which will engage cohort members in a discussion of the demographics of the higher education leadership pipeline.

“We hope this experience will give participants the confidence and skill set for greater success in their careers, as well as foster diverse leadership climates on our college campuses,” said Council President Bob King.

Over the summer and fall of this year, Dr. Ramon and the ALDI cohort will participate in seminars and receive mentoring geared towards cultivating leadership skills and diversifying higher education administration.