Provost Fellows announced for 2024-25 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program

Four Auburn University faculty members have been selected for the 2024-25 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program (https://www.thesecu.com/programs/sec-academic-leadership-development-program/).

 

·       Alecia C. Douglas, associate professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management

·       Paul Fitchett, professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching

·       Alan Wilson, professor and assistant director of Instruction, Outreach and Extension

·       Kevin Yost, professor and Synovus Fellow of the Department of Finance

 

“Auburn University is proud of these four outstanding faculty members and congratulate them on their accomplishments,” said Vini Nathan, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “Their impact as instructors, researchers and scholars contributes significantly to advance the university’s mission now and into the future.”

The SEC Academic Leadership Development Program seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has three components: a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants; two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows.

 

Alecia C. Douglas

Alecia C. Douglas is an associate professor in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management. Having served the institution for the last 16 years, she has significantly helped shape the hospitality management program. Holding a doctoral degree from Purdue University and a master’s degree from the University of Delaware, she brings over 18 years of teaching and 22 years of research experience to her role. While at Auburn, Douglas has played a pivotal role in curriculum development, strategic planning and fundraising initiatives at the departmental and college levels, which have enhanced the hospitality management program’s educational offerings. Her career in academia is complemented by her foundation in the hospitality industry acquired from leading hotel companies across the Caribbean, Europe and the United States. Outside of academia, Douglas maintains a keen interest in industry trends and developments, ensuring her teaching remains relevant and insightful for aspiring hospitality professionals. Passionate about advancing into administrative leadership within higher education, Douglas seeks to leverage her academic insights and industry background to contribute effectively to university governance. Her proactive engagement in administrative responsibilities, including fundraising through initiatives like The Hospitality Gala and strategic planning exercises, highlights her readiness for broader leadership responsibilities. 

 

Paul Fitchett

Paul G. Fitchett is a professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in the College of Education. Since arriving at Auburn in 2022, Fitchett has helped further the mission of the College of Education, serving as co-principal investigator on projects totaling over $21 million in external funding in support of increasing the teacher pipeline and supporting career exploration and post-secondary education advancement. Fitchett graduated with a bachelor's of arts  in History and master's of arts in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After teaching in urban, suburban and rural public schools in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, he returned to UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. From 2008-2022, Fitchett was a faculty member and administrator at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As assistant dean for teaching and innovation, he facilitated curriculum innovation, including helping faculty develop practice-based pedagogies and pivot toward virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. He continues to support the growth of teacher education and the promotion of evidence-based practices that enhance student learning. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Fitchett researches the intersections of teacher working conditions, instructional practices and student learning outcomes with an emphasis on social studies education. He is also associate editor for Theory & Research in Social Education, the flagship research journal of the National Council for the Social Studies.

 

Alan Wilson

Alan E. Wilson is a professor and assistant director of Instruction, Outreach and Extension, as well as the graduate program officer in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences. He obtained his Ph.D. in applied biology from Georgia Tech in 2006 and has since been involved in various research and educational endeavors. Wilson's professional journey includes serving as a research investigator at the University of Michigan and NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory before joining Auburn in 2007. Additionally, he has had notable roles at organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the USDA NIFA SBIR Aquaculture program. Wilson's passion lies in examining algal blooms in recreational, drinking and aquaculture water bodies. He is dedicated to mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers in these fields, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and tangible achievements such as publications and presentations. Since 2010, Wilson has been teaching the Meta-Analysis course. Under his guidance, his students have collectively produced 61 peer-reviewed journal articles, reflecting the far-reaching impact of his instruction across various academic institutions.

 

Kevin Yost

Keven Yost is a professor and holds the esteemed position of Synovus Fellow in the finance department at Auburn University. Since 2022, he has been the department chair and faculty director of full-time and online MBA Programs since 2020. Yost completed his Bachelor of Science in finance and economics at the University of Florida and went on to earn his Ph.D. from Purdue University. His tenure at Auburn University dates back to 2003. As the faculty director of full-time and online MBA Programs, Yost is the academic liaison between the faculty delivering these graduate programs and the executive director and associate dean for graduate and executive programs. He has served terms on the university's Central Unit Allocations Committee for budgeting and as a presidential appointee on the university Senate Steering Committee. Yost has played pivotal roles in the Harbert College of Business strategic planning, graduate programs, undergraduate programs and international programs committees. He has chaired and participated in various department curriculum, search and program committees. Yost's teaching portfolio covers both undergraduate and graduate courses in financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance, catering to students on campus as well as in online programs. He also shares his expertise in the Harbert College of Business’s study abroad programs and has overseen several doctoral and master thesis committees. Notably, he has been honored with the Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award and has received multiple teaching accolades from the Harbert College of Business, finance department and MBA programs. In academic research, Yost concentrates on corporate governance and has contributed to esteemed publications such as the Journal of Finance, the Journal of Banking and Finance and the Journal of Corporate Finance, among others. His work has garnered over 2,000 citations, underscoring its significance and influence.

(Written by Danielle Johnston)