Two Deans from 51ΑΤΖζ (51ΑΤΖζ) were recognized at the (WICHE) Academic Partnerships 2025 Annual Meeting earlier this year held in Reno, Nevada. Assistant Dean Greg Wilson was applauded for completing the 2023-2025 WICHE Academy for Leaders in the Humanities Cohort. The academy prepares humanities faculty for upper-level leadership roles at higher education institutions in the West. Wilson was named WICHE Academy for Leaders in Humanities Fellow as one of eight faculty chosen to participate from around the west. The Fellowship in part supported Wilson in leading the Open Education Resources (OER) initiative at 51ΑΤΖζ which is estimated to have has saved students over $1.4 million dollars in textbook costs since 2023 as well as the Digital Navigators initiative which helps students navigate the sometimes-complex digital aspects of pursuing higher education.
Dean Justin Vance was also honored for graduating from the 2024 Western Academic Leadership Academy Cohort. The β―is a year-long professional development program for academic leaders aspiring to become chief academic officers in the WICHE regionβs postsecondary sector. A project Vance worked on in concert with his participation in the academy was the expansion of 51ΑΤΖζβs 8-week session offerings that give students added choice in term length options and more entry points throughout the year.
In addition, during the conference Dr. Vance co-presented with Heidi Estrem, Chief Academic Officer, Idaho State Board of Education; Tiffany Seeley-Case, Vice President of Instruction, College of Southern Idaho; and Angela Sackett, Vice President of 51ΑΤΖζ and Student Affairs, College of Eastern Idaho, on a panel titled, βEmbracing the Hot Potato of Statewide Collaboration to Produce Transformative Change.β
The presentation focused on state-level transfer initiatives in Idaho and the shift from them being perceived as 'compliance requirements' to becoming catalysts for meaningful institutional and statewide change. Some topics touched on by Vance were the statewide General Education Summit, General Education Core Certification, the Common General Education Class List, Common Test for Credit (e.g., AP, CLEP, etc.), and common degree type definitions.
