President's Executive Leadership Institute

Explore the complex world of higher education and gain valuable and transferable leadership skills through the President's Executive Leadership Institute.

Through this unique professional development opportunity for campus-based administrators and leaders, program fellows will learn about issues facing higher education broadly and the University of South Dakota specifically.

This program is an opportunity to develop future university leaders, foster interdisciplinary collaborations and cultivate a strong connection to the campus community.


Join us in congratulating the 2025-2026 President's Executive Leadership Institute fellows:

  • Heather Anderson, Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship, Management, & Marketing
  • Katy Beem, Academic Advisor, School of Education
  • Chad Birger, Instructor, Economics and Decision Sciences
  • Margaret Carmody, Vice President of Development, USD Foundation
  • Melissa Dittberner, Lecturer, Addiction Counseling and Prevention
  • Cheryl Hartman, Sociology Department Coordinator & Senior Lecturer, Anthropology & Sociology
  • Michelle Harvey, Director of Student Engagement, Student Services
  • Brooke Jackson, Coordinator, Native Student Services
  • Young Ae Kim, Professor, Department of Art
  • Julia Kleinschmit, Career Coach, Center for Career Design
  • Ashley Lemons, Director of EEO/Title IX, Human Resources
  • Mike Moran, Director of Compliance, Athletics
  • Susan Puumala, Professor of Practice, Public Health & Health Sciences
  • Tracie Ritz, Lecturer, Counseling and Psychology in Education
  • Alan Sazama, Assistant Dean, Medical Education, Sanford School of Medicine
  • Anna Stork, Admissions Counselor, Gallagher International Center
  • Emma Thompson, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Student Services
  • Tyler Vacha, Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences, USD Foundation
  • Rhonda Weidner, Assistant Admissions Officer, Enrollment Processing Center
  • Jong-Sung Yoon, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Benefits

  • Increase knowledge and awareness of issues and challenges facing higher education and the University of South Dakota
  • Enhance leadership, management and decision-making skills
  • Learn about the relationship between the South Dakota Board of Regents and the University of South Dakota
  • Explore the role of strategic planning and budgeting in advancing department and unit interests in alignment with the overall mission of the university
  • Identify appropriate strategies in addressing key issues and achieving organizational goals
  • Understand state and federal government issues that affect higher education
  • Expand networking opportunities and resources available at the local, state and national levels in sustaining the university and its mission