Making intentional investments to tap into leadership potential, the Office of the Provost has selected Dana Huebert Lima, Leslie Hopkinson, Jennifer Hawkins, Aldo Romero and Nettie Freshour for the 2026-27 Academic Leadership Provost Fellows Program.
Designed to cultivate the next generation of academic leaders, the program offers selected faculty members valuable professional development opportunities through mentorship from senior administrators to strengthen leadership skills and expand their experiences in academic administration.
“By pairing exceptional faculty members directly with some of our most effective administrators to work collaboratively, we are shoring up existing pathways across the University while building for the future,” incoming Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Beverly Wendland said.
“A true measure of our long-term impact will be how we fortify our leadership pipelines to ensure our most talented faculty members are prepared to lead one day.”
Fellows will contribute directly to strategic initiatives and special projects that address important opportunities and challenges for the University.
Dana Huebert Lima, teaching professor and associate chair for undergraduate studies in the Department of Biology, will serve as the Fellow for Interdisciplinary Programs and Academic Innovation. Lima will be mentored by Associate Provost for Curriculum and Assessment Lou Slimak.
Leslie Hopkinson, associate professor in the Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, will serve as the Fellow for Student Success Systems (CLASS and Retention Initiatives). Hopkinson will be mentored by Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education Evan Widders.
Jennifer Hawkins, professor and chair of the Department of Biology, will serve as the Fellow for Faculty Development in Curriculum Innovation. Hawkins will be mentored by Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Tracy Morris.
Aldo Romero, Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, will serve as the Fellow for AI in Curriculum and Academic Policy. Romero will be mentored by Vice Provost Mark Gavin.
Nettie Freshour, teaching professor in the School of Agriculture and Food Systems, was selected to serve as a Fellow for both Interdisciplinary Programs and Academic Innovation and Faculty Affairs. Freshour will be mentored in this unique position by Associate Provost for Curriculum and Assessment Lou Slimak.
Throughout the academic year, the fellows will engage in projects that support institutional priorities while gaining firsthand experience in academic leadership, strategic planning, policy development and collaborative problem solving.
The Academic Leadership Provost Fellows Program reflects the commitment from WVU to develop faculty leaders who will help advance the University's mission of excellence in teaching, research and service.