16 higher education professionals selected for CPE’s Academic Leadership Development Institute

March 06, 2025

Sixteen faculty and professional staff members from public universities and community and technical colleges across Kentucky were selected to participate in the 2025 cohort of the Academic Leadership Development Institute (ALDI), coordinated by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). ALDI is a year-long series of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff members who are on track for career advancement in higher education.

Members of the new ALDI cohort were nominated by their respective postsecondary institutions based on their leadership ability, dedication to higher education and interest in professional advancement. Participants typically are early in their academic careers with limited administrative experience.

“The Council is committed to developing up-and-coming academic leaders and giving them a chance to learn from state and national experts, as well as each other,” said Dr. Dawn Offutt, CPE Executive Director and ALDI coordinator. “It is really gratifying to follow the careers of past participants and hear how this experience helped them grow.”

Dr. Aaron Thompson, CPE President, added, “As the coordinating board for Kentucky higher education, CPE has a vested interest in improving postsecondary education for the citizens of this Commonwealth. The quality of our faculty and staff is a big part of that, which makes programs like ALDI invaluable.”

The members of the 2025 ALDI cohort are listed below.

• Elnoel Akwa, Technical Support Specialist, University of Kentucky
• Mishonda Bush, Human Resources Manager, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
• Natalee Brown, Director of Recruitment, Maysville Community and Technical College
• Rebecca Cochran, Instructor, Ashland Community and Technical College
• Courtney Coomes, Budget Manager, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
• DuWayne Dale, Professor of Music, Morehead State University
• Travis Haskins, Interim Director of Student Support Services, Kentucky State University
• Martina Jackson, Interim Director of CIEGE, Eastern Kentucky University
• Madeline Kues, Manager of Admissions and Recruitment, Gateway Community & Technical College
• Myah Leonard, Financial Aid Advisor, Madisonville Community College
• Vivek Madupu, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Morehead State University
• Haley Minton, Program Coordinator for Business Administration, Owensboro Community and Technical College
• Diane Nititham, Full Professor of Sociology, Murray State University
• Whitney Sweeney-Martin, Director of Faculty Success and Wellbeing, University of Louisville
• Jeff Varrone, Assistant Director for the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Northern Kentucky University
• Harley Wenz, Instructor of Nursing, Maysville Community and Technical College