Dr. Erica Owen, associate dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, is among five faculty members selected to represent the University of Pittsburgh in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network program.
Launched in 2018, the ACC Academic Leaders Network (ALN) seeks to facilitate cross-institutional networking and collaboration among academic leaders while building leadership capacity for the participating institutions. It provides an opportunity for participants to strengthen their leadership skills, build networks across partner institutions, deepen their understanding of higher education administration, and broaden their awareness of the needs and challenges facing leadership in this field. Participants attend three on-site sessions throughout the year, each hosted by one of the ACC’s fifteen member universities. This year’s host schools include Clemson University, the University of Louisville, and NC State University.
Dr. Owen has served as an associate professor at Pitt since 2018, teaching courses in her specialties of international political economy and trade, as well as quantitative methods. Named associate dean in the summer of 2021, she now also serves as chief academic officer for the school, actively engaging in curriculum and community engagement initiatives while fostering the development of faculty and research.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to develop my leadership skills and to meet with leaders from Pitt and other universities in the ACC,” said Owen when asked about the program. “I’m excited to discuss challenges and opportunities in higher education, learn from others, and share some of the initiatives we are working on in Public and International Affairs at Pitt.”
Up to five representatives from each member institution are named to the ALN annually. Deans and campus presidents can nominate department or division chairs, associate deans, associate vice provosts, and faculty in similar roles for consideration. This year, Pitt’s cohort also includes Dr. Kevin M. Conley from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Dr. Kyaien O. Conner from the School of Social Work, Dr. Vanitha Swaminathan from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, and Dr. David A. Vorp, from the Swanson School of Engineering.