Auburn faculty selected as Southeastern Conference Development Program fellows

Three Auburn University professors have been selected to participate in the 2016-17 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program, or SEC ALDP. Auburn’s fellows include Allen Landers, professor in the Department of Physics in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Kevin Moore, associate professor in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction and Todd Steury, associate professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

The SEC ALDP seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. The program’s two components include a university-level development program designed by each individual institution and two, three-day workshops for all SEC ALDP participants.

“It is our strong belief that helping to prepare administrators for the next phase of their careers has the potential to impact all of higher education, both now and in the future,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Our universities make a significant investment in these individuals, and we are proud to work with them through this program.”

Landers holds the Howard Earl and Carolyn Taylor Carr Professorship in the Department of Physics. His research includes studying atomic, molecular and optical physics through the use of multi-particle imaging methods to explore the dynamics of electronic and nuclear motion in atoms and molecules. Landers teaches at all levels in the Department of Physics. He has been awarded the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching, the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Outreach in the College of Sciences and Mathematics and recognized with the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Outreach.

Moore, associate professor in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, is the chair of the Program of Interior Architecture. His research focuses on spatial sequences that create a field of experience, incorporating landscape features and promoting passive environmental stimuli in combination with social and spatial potentials. Moore has more than 10 years of professional experience with several award-winning firms and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional.

Steury, associate professor in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, is the incoming chair of the Auburn University Teaching Effectiveness Committee. His research focuses on the conservation of large carnivores, predator-prey relationships and the detection of elusive wildlife. Steury is a co-founder of Auburn University’s EcoDogs program, which trains bomb-detection dogs to find ecological targets. He has won numerous teaching awards and is widely cited in scientific articles and the press, including Fox News, Time.com, BBC.com and Reuters.

The [SEC] program cemented that I want to continue in administration despite knowing the challenges,” said Ana Franco-Watkins, Undergraduate Program director in the Department of Psychology and former participant. “The connections I’ve made at Auburn and with other SEC ALDP fellows have provided me with a network and base to continue with my future trajectory.”

The next SEC ALDP workshops will be Feb. 22-24, 2017 at Mississippi State University.

The SEC ALDP is part of SECU, the academic initiative of the Southeastern Conference. The SEC supports and promotes the endeavors and achievements of the students and faculty at its 14 member universities.