The Next Step in Leadership: Mentoring in Higher Ed

Streamed Session Leadership

Brief Abstract

Higher ed leadership requires a wide range of skills for success. Leaders must know how to effectively communicate, how to make strong arguments to support initiatives, how to be financially responsible, and how to cultivate change on campus. One important but often underdiscussed facet of leadership is mentoring. In formal leadership roles, leaders should be supportive yet directive supervisors, but in the dynamic, changing landscape of higher ed, they must also provide mentorship and professional development opportunites that help members of the institution grow as professionals by building upon their strengths and addressing areas for improvement. Mentorship and coaching can also be highly beneficial and meaningful among organizational peers.

In this session, a co-director and a graduate of OLC’s IELOL program will provide advice from the field about the benefits of mentorship at an organization as well as how to be an effective mentor to your colleagues, regardless of your title or position at your institution. This session is intended for anyone interested in furthering their leadership skills.

Presenters

Lead Presenter: Dylan Barth, Online Learning Consortium Inc.

Dylan Barth is the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Learning and a Co-Director of the Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL). Dylan provides strategic vision and oversight for professional development, research and publications, and the Quality Scorecard Suite at OLC. He has 20+ years of experience teaching in higher education and 12+ years working in faculty and instructional development. Dylan holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an emphasis on masculinities in contemporary post-apocalyptic fiction.

Co-presenter: Tim Walker, Loyola University Chicago

Tim Walker is Associate Director of Instructional Technology & Research Support at Loyola University Chicago. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education supporting faculty with integrating technology into teaching and learning. Tim currently manages a centralized team of 10 full-time staff and about 20 student workers. This groups provides a wide array of technology and research services to the University community. Prior to joining Loyola, he served as the Director of Technology for the McCormick Tribune Center at National Louis University. Tim holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Marquette University, a master's degree in human services administration from National Louis University, and graduate certificates in distance education and leadership in online learning (IELOL) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Penn State University. Tim is a regular presenter at local and national conferences, with topics focusing on faculty and instructional system support, and IT management.

Extended Abstract