Duke Announces 2024 Cohort of ACC Academic Leadership Network Fellows

Duke University faculty members Candis Watts Smith, Denise Comer, Norbert Wilson, Saskia Cornes and Shai Ginsburg will serve as fellows in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network.

The provosts of the ACC member institutions created the Academic Leaders Network to develop the leadership potential of participating faculty. 

In 2024, all fellows will participate in a number of joint institutional activities, beginning with a virtual kickoff on February 27 and followed by on-site sessions at Clemson (March 20-22), the University of Louisville (June 12-14) and NC State (November 18-20). 

Designed to build awareness and effectiveness in the context of academic leadership, these sessions also provide opportunities to engage with peers across the ACC and discuss issues and trends in higher education.

On their home campuses, fellows will meet with key leaders and administrators who oversee such areas as academic affairs, student life, budgeting and financial planning, research, admissions, development and human resources, among others. These activities will help orient them more fully to the administrative workings of their own institution.

This leadership development opportunity is part of Duke Faculty Advancement’s portfolio of programs to support faculty and academic leaders. Deans were invited to nominate faculty members who hold administrative leadership positions.

2024 Duke ACC Academic Leadership Network Fellows

Denise Comer

Professor of the Practice, Thompson Writing Program

Director, Thompson Writing Program

Saskia Cornes

Assistant Professor of the Practice, John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute

Program Director, Duke Campus Farm

Shai Ginsburg

Associate Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Chair, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Department

Candis Watts Smith

Professor of Political Science

Interim Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education

Norbert Wilson

Professor of Food, Economics and Community

Director, World Food Policy Center

Previous Cohorts

Duke’s 2023 ACC fellows were Sharon Gerecht, Timothy Johnson, Hai “Helen” Li and Patrick Smith. The inaugural fellows in 2022 included Steffen Bass, Lori Bennear, Iyun Harrison, Cory Krupp and Benjamin Smallheer.

Main image: Candis Watts Smith, Denise Comer, Norbert Wilson, Saskia Cornes and Shai Ginsburg