From Staff Reports

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –  The University of North Carolina System has named a select group of 24 participants to its Executive Leadership Institute, according to a UNC System press release dated May 5.

This is the second cohort of the program, which is designed to build the next generation of top leadership from within the UNC System. It includes a focus on enhancing the pool of well-prepared, highly qualified future leaders from Historically Minority-Serving Institutions.

The 10-month program will provide an overall view of the UNC System, its operations and future leadership opportunities. The institute develops leadership skills by sharing best practices and forming partnerships among participants and their institutions. Members will benefit from executive coaching on an individual level and in a team setting.

“Through this institute, we can grow our own future leaders, developing their talents and fostering a renewed climate of collaboration and excellence,” said UNC System President Peter Hans, according to the release.

Leading experts from across the UNC System will deliver in-person and online instruction designed to enhance leadership skills. The cohort will follow a curriculum in three experiential education modules: executive leadership, leading teams and leading the enterprise.

The members of the new class are:

• Omar Ali, professor and dean of Lloyd International Honors College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Karen Beres, vice provost and dean of academic affairs, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• Gary Brown, vice chancellor for student affairs, Elizabeth City State University
• Ivey Brown, university general counsel, Winston-Salem State University
• Garikai Campbell, provost, University of North Carolina Asheville
• Cory Causby, associate vice chancellor for human resources, Western Carolina University
• Crystal Chambers, professor of educational leadership, East Carolina University
• Lindsay McCollum Farling, vice president of finance and budget, University of North Carolina System
• Paula Gentius, chief of staff and secretary of the university, North Carolina State University
• Erin Hart, chief of staff, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Laura Kieler, chief marketing officer, PBS North Carolina
• Nicole Lucas, interim director, institutional effectiveness and SACSCOC accreditation, Fayetteville State University
• Terry Lynch, vice chancellor for student life, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
• Krisha Marcano, assistant dean of student affairs and entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• Pedro Nino, director of strategic planning, North Carolina Central University
• Amy Owenby, human resources director, North Carolina Arboretum
• Darin Padua, professor and chair, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Eric Simon, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, University of North Carolina Wilmington
• BaShaun Smith, associate vice chancellor for student affairs/dean of students, Western Carolina University
• Mesia Steed, associate professor and interim chair of Department of Biological Sciences, Winston-Salem State University
• Virginia Teachey, vice chancellor of finance and administration, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Teresa Thompson-Pinckney, associate vice chancellor for access and student success, Fayetteville State University
• Frances Ward-Johnson, dean of the Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, North Carolina A&T State University
• Laura Williams, controller, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate and the benefits of a mentoring relationship. Participants will have the opportunity to pay it forward as mentors for future cohorts, ensuring promising talent continues to develop and advance in careers across the UNC System.