Dr. Dan Givens One of Three from Auburn Named as 2015-16 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows
Dr. Dan Givens, associate dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Veterinary Medicine, was one of three Auburn University faculty selected to hone their leadership skills through a professional development program as 2015-16 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellows. Across the SEC, only 50 faculty and administrators were chosen.
Auburn’s other fellows included Magdalena Garmaz, program chair of environmental design in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, and Stanley Harris, associate dean for graduate and international programs in the Harbert College of Business.
The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, or SEC ALDP, is a professional development program that seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has two components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants and two, three-day, SEC-wide workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants.
The first of the two workshops took place earlier this month at the University of Arkansas. A second workshop is scheduled for February at the University of Mississippi.
“This is a unique chance to develop my understanding of the multiple perspectives that deserve careful consideration when leading colleges and universities to excel in our current and future circumstances,” Givens said.
Givens performed undergraduate studies at Western Kentucky University and obtained the DVM from Auburn in 1994. Following two years of clinical practice in central Kentucky, he earned a Ph.D. from Auburn and completed a clinical residency that culminated in board certification in the American College of Theriogenologists, recognizing his clinical expertise in animal reproduction. He achieved board certification in the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (virology subspecialty) while performing NIH-funded, post-doctoral research.
Since 2000, Givens’ efforts in applied research regarding infectious diseases that affect reproduction of cattle have resulted in more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, four book chapters and two international patents.
Simultaneously, for his classroom lectures in basic sciences as well as clinical instruction in the large animal teaching hospital, Givens has received five teaching awards since 2001.
The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program is a part of SECU, the academic initiative of the SEC. SECU actively highlights the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty of the conference’s 14 member universities.
“The individuals selected by their SEC universities to participate in the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program represent the future of higher education administration,” said Torie Johnson, SECU executive director. “The leadership skills they already possess are sure to be enhanced by the SEC ALDP experience.”
Since its creation in 2008, more than 270 faculty and academic administrators have completed the SEC ALDP, and program alumni have become deans and provosts, among other senior-level positions, at universities around the SEC and country.