Dhongde Selected for Higher Education Leadership Institute

Associate Dean Shatakshee Dhongde is one of about 50 higher education leaders nationwide recently selected to attend the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute.  

HERS provides all emerging and established leaders with programming and support to grow their leadership skills, as well as gain a broader perspective on trends and challenges in higher ed leadership across a variety of institutions.  

Dhongde, who serves as associate dean for academic affairs in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, said her first weekend session with HERS was an eye-opening experience.  

“We had focused sessions with leaders and experts in many different institutions, including R1 and R2 universities, as well as liberal arts colleges. This was a great way to gain insight into the broader spectrum of challenges and opportunities that universities face.”  

She added that most of the people in her cohort are serving in associate or assistant leadership positions, which she said is the perfect time to do a program like this.  

“We usually think of people approaching executive leadership levels as the target audience for a leadership institute such as this. But it’s also very useful — if not instrumental — to have mid-level leaders train this way,” said Dhongde.  

The cohort will meet for two more rigorous three-day sessions, followed by a graduation ceremony in April. Dhongde will also create and complete a yearlong leadership project. 

“This experience is not only valuable in my own leadership journey, but it also allows me to bring back fresh perspectives and new skills to the Ivan Allen College and the Institute.”