Aerial view of KU's Fraser hall at sunrise

Senior Administrative Fellows

This program allows selected faculty to explore administration for approximately four hours each month.

KU is dedicated to the development of administrative leadership at all levels. The Senior Administrative Fellows program allows a small group of competitively selected tenured faculty to explore administration. Each year's cohort, selected from applications and nominations, works together for approximately four hours per month. Fellows learn more about KU and administrative roles, engage in self-reflection and assessment of their own leadership styles and preferences, and consider possible pathways of leadership in academia. Past participants have appreciated the opportunity to meet face-to-face with KU's leaders as well as time spent focusing on their personal leadership development.

A small group of faculty members are selected from applications and nominations each year as Senior Administrative Fellows. The Fellows work together for approximately four hours per month in exploration of the “nuts and bolts” of administration at KU. Fellows benefit from:

  • Time spent with administrators at KU exploring the nature of the work they do and the challenges they face;
  • Twice-monthly meetings designed to give a general overview of all the major units of the university including administrative units such as budget, human resources, general counsel, and governmental relations;
  • Discussions on such major issues as academic leadership, the future of higher education, and public policy;
  • Insight into administrative-level decision processes.

There is no stipend or release time offered nor is there a promise of an administrative position at the conclusion of the year.

Please apply by May 1, 2024.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a letter answering the following prompts:

  • Why did you apply to the SAF program at this point in your career?
  • What leadership skill(s) do you hope to develop/strengthen during the fellowship and why?

Once all applications are submitted, the Office of Faculty Affairs will contact department chairs (or deans if the applicant is a department chair) for an endorsement.

Applicants will be notified about the outcome of the selection process in May.