Advocate Online

On the Road
with Phadra Williams

In February, I had the pleasure of watching 20 excited graduates of the NEA Higher Education Emerging Leaders Academy sit on the edge of their seats as Mike Billirakis of the NEA Executive Committee said to begin his commencement speech, “It’s a celebration of accomplishment as well as of beginnings and promise. The graduates from this academy represent the future of higher education leadership at college campuses all across this country.”

This year’s ELA graduates join an elite group of more than 100 higher ed members—full and part-time/contingent faculty, education support professionals, academic professionals and graduate assistants—who have graduated from the academy. The program has produced local presidents, state officers, NEA Directors, and other national and local leaders.

Rosemary Teetor, ELA graduate from Clackamas Community College in Oregon, pointed to one success, “The Contingent Faculty Advocacy Caucus we formed in February is a direct result of what I learned and who I met at the ELA sessions.”

Donna Searight, a graduate from Oakland University in Michigan noted, “Before I attended the ELA, I participated in my local on a minimal basis. During the ELA training, I gained the confidence necessary to become the vice president of my local.”

Frank Hatstat, from Bellevue Community College in Washington State agreed that “the whole experience was an eye opener. Each session I was able to bring something back to my local we could use right away.” I look forward to sitting in the audience next year as we charge a new group of ELA graduates with the challenge of building stronger NEA higher ed locals. Who knows? It may even be you.

—Phadra Williams coordinates
NEA’s Higher Ed Leadership Academy