Faculty Leadership Academy
The Faculty Leadership Academy is a year-long professional development series for full-time faculty from public postsecondary institutions who have demonstrated the potential for academic leadership and are seeking to further develop these skills. To qualify, participants were nominated by their institution's chief academic officer. The goal is to develop academic leaders who recognize the value of collaboration, promote academic quality, and possess the complex set of skills needed for higher education leadership. The four themes of the Faculty Leadership Academy are academic quality, faculty leadership, leading in place, and systemness.
2026-27 Cohort
Not pictured: Amy Liebert, Associate Professor/History Department Head, Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Christopher Bell
Associate Professor and KY Fame Program Coordinator,
Somerset Community College
Mark Blankenbuehler
Associate Professor of Chemistry,
Morehead State University
Brian Bourke
Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs,
Murray State University
Shannon Brogan
Acting Chair, School of Humanities; Professor, Speech Communication,
Kentucky State University
Carole Cobb
Chair, School of Education,
Kentucky State University
Bethany Ebelhar
Professor,
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Hailley Fargo
Associate Dean in Steely Library,
Northern Kentucky University
Brian Hines
Associate Professor,
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Nathaniel (Nathan) Hirtz
Associate Professor and Department Head,
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Tahsin Huq
Assistant Professor,
Eastern Kentucky University
Stacie Jankowski
Associate Professor, Interim Program Head,
Northern Kentucky University
J. Sebastian Leguizamon
Associate Professor,
Western Kentucky University
Gretchen Macy
Faculty Fellow for Wellness, Director Center for Env and Workplace Health, Professor,
Western Kentucky University
Eslam Omar
Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy,
Kentucky State University
Andi Paganelli
Professor,
Western Kentucky University
Emi Ramirez
Assistant Professor of Practice,
University of Louisville
Brian Shumway
Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Faculty Development,
University of Louisville
Samiyyah Sledge
Assistant Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Healthcare Professions Skills, and Faculty Fellow,
University of Louisville
Shelley Volpenhein
Director of Sales Program & Asst. Teaching Professor Haile College of Business,
Northern Kentucky University
Jason Willoughby
Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor of Business Administration,
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Mike Winchester
Associate Professor of Chemistry,
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Faculty Coaches
Renee Eichas
Dean of Nursing and an Associate Professor
Jefferson Community and Technical College
Renee Eichas is the dean of nursing and an associate professor at Jefferson Community and Technical College. Renee earned her associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) from Galen College of Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an emphasis on education from Grand Canyon University. Eichas is currently pursuing a doctorate in health professions education at Bellarmine University, focusing her research on students with learning differences and accommodations. She serves as president of the Kentucky Nurses’ Deans and Directors for the Kentucky Nurses Association and chairs the KCTCS ADN Curriculum Committee. A graduate of the Faculty Leadership Academy, Renee is dedicated to advancing nursing education and fostering student success through leadership and collaboration.
A participant in the inaugural cohort of the Faculty Leadership Academy (2024-25), this will be Renee’s second year serving as a Faculty Coach.
Ben Littlepage
Professor, Higher Education and Student Affairs
Murray State University
Dr. Ben Littlepage, of Madisonville, is a professor for the Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Murray State University. Prior to Murray State, Dr. Littlepage was a higher education administrator for nine years at three different institutional types: state-assisted regional university, private liberal-arts college, and community and technical college. Functional areas for which he has administrative experience include academic advising, academic affairs, admissions and records, alumni relations, annual giving, career counseling, and first-year experience. His expertise lies in operationalizing and redefining functional units. His research focus is first-generation students and institutional operations. Dr. Littlepage holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Memphis and a Master of Education in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University.
He has participated in CPE initiatives like the Student Success Collaborative, and the Kentucky Advising Academy. Dr. Littlepage was a participant in the inaugural cohort of the Faculty Leadership Academy (2024-25), and this will be his second year serving as a Faculty Coach.
Amanda Spencer-Barnes
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
Hazard Community and Technical College
Amanda Spencer-Barnes is a Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Hazard Community and Technical College. She earned an Associate in Science (2002) and an Associate in Arts (2003) from Hazard Community and Technical College, a bachelor’s degree in University Studies (2005) and a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education (2007) from Morehead State University, and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (2021) from Eastern Kentucky University.
Her research interests include mathematics and statistics education, developmental education, leadership styles and strategies, online teaching, and strategies for working effectively with others. She currently serves as the lead for her institution’s CPE 10 Essential Skills team. Her previous administrative roles include Assistant Dean, Faculty Chair, QEP Director, and Developmental Education Coordinator.
Spencer-Barnes has received numerous awards recognizing her contributions to her institution and community, including the John Brown Outstanding Faculty Award in 2016, 2023, and 2026; the Jackson Lions Club Hall of Fame (2026); Jackson Lions Club Lion of the Year Award (2025); President’s Extra Mile Award (2024); and Community Award (2023).
She participated in the 2025-26 CPE Faculty Leadership Academy and is excited to return as a Faculty Coach for the 2026–27 cohort.
Justin Yates
Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological Science
Northern Kentucky University
Dr. Justin Yates is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological Science at Northern Kentucky University. He received his PhD in 2014 from the University of Kentucky in Experimental Psychology. His research focuses on the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and the neurobiology of maladaptive decision making. Dr. Yates has received two grants from the National Institutes of Health and multiple grants from the KY INBRE to support his research.
He has mentored over 80 undergraduate students, six post-baccalaureate research technicians, and one postdoctoral fellow. His work has been recognized at the institutional, the regional, and the national level, including NKU's Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Award, NKU's Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, fellow status of the Midwestern Psychological Association, and fellow status of the American Psychological Association. Beyond research, Dr. Yates is committed to leadership development, having served as a Dean's Fellow and completing NKU's Leadership Institute and the CPE Leadership Academy.
Dr. Yates was a participant in the inaugural cohort of the Faculty Leadership Academy (2024-25) and this will be his first year serving as a Faculty Coach.
Brittney Corniel
Family Nurse Practitioner
U of L Health
Dr. Brittney Corniel, DNP, APRN, FNP-C received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from the University of Louisville. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner within the U of L Health, Family Medicine Department in Louisville, KY. She is an Assistant Professor and the Family Nurse Practitioner Clinical Specialty Track Coordinator at the University of Louisville School of Nursing. She is the course coordinator for Advanced Pathophysiology and also the faculty advisor for the Graduate Nurse Student Council. Dr. Corniel also serves on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives.
She has led several grant-funded community initiatives including the Healthcare Heroes and Future Healers Programs, exposing underrepresented youth to healthcare career pathways through experiential learning activities. She assisted with the initiation of the UofL Cardinal Direction clinic. Inspired by her experience as a 2025 CPE Faculty Leadership Academy participant, she instituted a Student Leadership Academy within her department and received grant funding from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to support programming for the inaugural 2026-2027 cohort.
Special Advisor
Gill Hunter
Presidential Fellow for Experience and Engagement
Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. Gill Hunter is a Professor of English at Eastern Kentucky University, where he also serves as Director of Academic Experience and Engagement and Director of the McNair Scholars Program, a federal TRIO program. Beginning his 21st year at EKU, and 31st year as an educator, Gill's academic and professional interests are in pedagogy, leadership development, Irish literature, and the role of regional colleges. Gill earned his BA from UK, his MA from EKU, and his PhD from Purdue University. He lives in Berea with his wife, a retired educator, and not far from their two girls and five grandchildren.
Gill began his work with the Faculty Leadership Academy as a member of the Guiding Team, which was tasked with helping design the overall Faculty Leadership Academy. He has continued providing support in a wide range of areas, including serving as the “Faculty Coaches’ Coach.”
Last Updated: 10/9/2026