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Jill Nelson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean of undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering and Computing, recently completed an exclusive, three-week program at Drexel University for STEM leaders in higher ed.
ELATES at Drexel “is a national leadership development program designed to promote senior STEM faculty as they advance into effective institutional leadership roles within their schools and universities,” according to the program’s website.
Nelson was in a cohort of 40 who met for one week in August and November before finishing the program with a week in March. In addition to practical skills, she said that meeting people from across the country brought tremendous value.
“What many participants say is, ‘The biggest thing I’m taking away from this is the network of people that I’ve met.’ And it’s so true, and I love that because networking at that scale is not something that comes easily when you’re working day-to-day at your institution,” said Nelson. “I know these people well enough now that I can reach out to them for advice or collaborations. I have this connection that is incredibly valuable and these people are great sounding boards and links to other places.”
One impactful session was an exercise called “The Incredible University.” Participants pitched a new research building to real-life academic leaders, in which they present why the facility is beneficial, who the stakeholders are, and the budget. “It’s a good simulation of the pieces you have to think about in such a situation. But importantly, it’s a chance to really invest intellectually and emotionally in something in a context where it’s a safe place to fail.”
Nelson also cited the Institutional Action Project, an exercise rooted in applying leadership learning, as an activity that will help her bring direct results to George Mason. She used the project to assess a critical issue: students stalling in their math progression, often before they even reach calculus. By developing a three-pronged approach focused on early communication about placement testing, structured academic support for foundational math courses, and potential policy changes requiring continuous math enrollment, Nelson translated theory into tangible intervention. Importantly, the exercise fostered deeper collaboration, particularly with the mathematical sciences department, due to the presence of George Mason Mathematical Sciences Department Chair Maria Emelianenko at ELATES. The goal is a more intentional system designed to keep students moving forward, improving both retention and time to graduation.
Other activities included giving a five-minute TED-style talk, hearing from leaders in higher education and management—including Sabina Nawaz’s, author of You’re the Boss—and sessions on organizational dynamics and resource management. Nelson said that it was refreshing to be removed from the “silos” that serve as a barrier in higher ed.
“I met people in roles similar to mine and I’ll continue to talk to them about ‘how does this work at your institution?’” she said. She cited a new connection at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, which is a particularly useful contact, given that institution is similar in many ways to George Mason.
Nelson said that an important takeaway is having a renewed vision of looking at the bigger picture when it comes to the college’s strategic goals. “After ELATES, I’m thinking, what are our strategic goals as a unit, how are they related to the dean’s goals, and how do those relate to the university? And how do I bring everyone in to get their input?”
“It was lovely to have Jill in the program and part of the 12th cohort of ELATES fellows,” said Sharon Walker, executive director of ELATES and dean emerita at the Drexel College of Engineering. “Jill brought to every discussion a deeply thoughtful perspective that was focused on the well-being of the students, faculty and staff she serves as associate dean for undergraduate programs. It is clear she is a truly special leader and making an impact at George Mason.”