UCO-Based Educators' Leadership Academy Welcomes 2025 Higher Education Department Chair Academy Class
Oct. 16, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma-based Educators’ Leadership Academy (ELA) welcomed 18 higher education professionals throughout the state to the 2025 Higher Education Department Chair Academy.
Established in 2009, the Chair Academy provides practical and detailed training essential to overseeing academic departments, department chairpersons, school directors, deans and core curriculum coordinators who are relatively new. The workshop-style approach spans five multi-day sessions held throughout the summer and fall.
Participants are provided with leadership development opportunities to manage programs, personnel and the advancement of their respective departments. Additionally, the Chair Academy involves small-group discussions, peer-to-peer collaboration and transformative learning experiences.
Those participating in the 2025 ELA Chair Academy and their institutions are:
- Jessica J. Appleby, Ph.D., UCO
- Janet L. Attisha, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Tulsa Community College
- David Chapman, Ph.D., UCO
- Travis Draud, M.S., Oklahoma City Community College
- Allyson M. Fenwick, Ph.D., UCO
- Stacey R. Frazier, Ed.D., Northern Oklahoma College
- Hala Gheriani, MBA, Ed.D., Oklahoma State University-OKC
- Misty Gray, DNP, MSN/Ed., RN, Seminole State College
- Maryanne Jayamane, M.S., UCO
- Lauri Jones, Ph.D., RN, CCRN, Tulsa Community College
- Oksun Lee, Ph.D., UCO
- Joanne L. Peterson, Ph.D., Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Spence Pilcher, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Brandy Ree, Ph.D., Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Evan Shough, Ph.D., UCO
- Tiffany Smith, M.A., Oklahoma State University-OKC
- Kelly Ann Temple, M.F.A., UCO
- Amanda L. Waters, Ph.D., UCO
ELA Chair Academy Faculty and Advisors:
- Bob Brennan, Ph.D., Midwestern State University
- Katrina Lacher, Ph.D., UCO
- Elizabeth Maier, Ph.D., UCO
- Luis Montes, Ph.D., Rose State College
- Scott Newman, Ed.D., Oklahoma State University-OKC
- Juanita Ortiz, Ph.D., ELA Advisor, University of Oklahoma
For more information about ELA’s Chair Academy, visit go.uco.edu/chairacademy.
For more information about Central, visit uco.edu.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma-based Educators’ Leadership Academy welcomed 18 higher education professionals throughout the state to the 2025 Higher Education Department Chair Academy. Pictured from left to right, row 1: Stacey R. Frazier, Ed.D., Northern Oklahoma College; Janet L. Attisha, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Tulsa Community College; Oksun Lee, Ph.D., UCO; Amanda L. Waters, Ph.D., UCO; Juanita Ortiz, Ph.D., ELA Advisor, University of Oklahoma; Katrina Lacher, Ph.D., UCO; row 2: Kelly Ann Temple, M.F.A., UCO; Misty Gray, DNP, MSN/Ed., RN, Seminole State College; Tiffany Smith, M.A., Oklahoma State University-OKC; Elizabeth Maier, Ph.D., UCO; row 3: Hala Gheriani, MBA, Ed.D., Oklahoma State University-OKC; Lauri Jones, PHD, RN, CCRN, Tulsa Community College; Joanne L. Peterson, Ph.D., Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine; Maryanne Jayamane, M.S, UCO; Evan Shough, Ph.D., UCO; Luis Montes, Ph.D., Rose State College; row 4: Travis Draud M.S., Oklahoma City Community College; Brandy Ree, Ph.D., Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine; Jessica J. Appleby, Ph.D., UCO; Allyson M. Fenwick, Ph.D., UCO; and, Spence Pilcher, Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Devan Wielgos