Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Assistant Professor of Integrated Studies and General Education Coordinator, Greg Wilson, who was named one of eight fellows in the inaugural cohort of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education’s (WICHE) Academy for Leaders in Humanities. The fellowship prepares future academic leaders in management, communication, and leadership skills as they work closely alongside higher education Presidents, Provosts, Deans, and other leaders around campuses over the next two years.
“I was honored and a little surprised when I found out I was selected to be a part of this fellowship,” said Wilson. “Looking at the other fellows, I know I will be learning a lot from them and from our mentors at WICHE. I feel humbled and ready for this opportunity.”
In addition to Wilson’s excellence in teaching, he has also collaborated with and led CWI faculty in delivering effective General Education courses and programs to students for the last five years as part of his role as Coordinator. Wilson has also been instrumental in kick-starting and leading the College’s Z-Degree Classes, which lowers textbook costs for students to provide greater access to learning materials.
The WICHE fellowship provides funding to CWI which will allow Wilson to serve as Assistant Dean for General Education and focus on institutional projects to advance the effectiveness of General Education courses and Z-Degree classes. These projects will center on equity, justice, and intercultural communication to ensure students from all backgrounds succeed at CWI.
“WICHE is committed to helping all the fellows learn more about what it means to practice leadership and learn project management skills,” Wilson said. “Each fellow completes a project that complements their school’s institutional goals. For CWI, our core themes of Student Success and Inclusive Excellence will be at the center of the project I hope to complete, ensuring greater access for every student that decides to attend school here. I’m excited about the possibilities ahead!”
“The goal of the WICHE Academy for Leaders in the Humanities is to allow institutions in the region to grow their own leadership and diversify their academic administration by preparing their humanities faculty to effectively and confidently take on and succeed in leadership roles,” said Camelia Naranjo, Interim Assistant Director of Academic Partnerships, Learning, and Development in the WICHE Programs and Services unit. “There is a need for promoting humanities faculty into upper-level leadership roles at higher education institutions, and this program will bridge that gap.”
Fellows will attend a professional development seminar this fall at WICHE’s headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, and receive ongoing professional development throughout the two-year term. Each fellow will also assume an administrative role at their institution, reporting to a senior leader in academic affairs, and completing an extended project that advances an important institutional priority to practice leadership skills.
Additionally, each fellow will have two mentors: an institutional mentor who will serve as their supervisor and the primary liaison between the institution and WICHE, and an external mentor or advisor. CWI Dean of Arts and Humanities, Justin Vance, Ed.D., will serve as Wilson’s institutional mentor.
“I am glad to see Greg recognized — his goals have always been to support all students at CWI, reduce barriers to students' educational progress, and make a positive difference,” Vance said. “As a mentor, I look forward to helping give Greg perspective, tools, and support to make an even bigger difference at CWI and in our community.”
