Kathryn Meier, director of communications in the University of Delaware’s College of Arts and Sciences, graduated this summer from the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute, an educational nonprofit that provides an intensive leadership and management development program for women in higher education administration.

She joined 67 women leaders representing 54 institutions across the U.S. for the 2018 program, held July 9-21 at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.

“HERS provides a community for learning and reflection through a leadership development model of self-knowledge, networking and institutional awareness,” said Meier. “The institute was an excellent opportunity to gain perspective on key issues in higher educational globally and nationally.”

Driven by the HERS mission of “equality and excellence in higher education,” this year’s concentrated immersion curriculum included topics on “Inclusive Excellence—Identity and Allyship,” “Managing and Leading Change in Organizations,” “(Re)Framing Organizational Culture,” “Advancement, Fundraising, Philanthropy and Leadership” and “Mapping Your Leadership Development.”

“The higher education landscape is changing, and we need to expand the narrative on the relevance and impact of our work through intentional outreach and engagement,” said Meier. “Each session was comprehensive and offered compelling, in-depth conversations and skill development with an incredible community of dynamic women colleagues who will impact positive change in our industry.”

Faculty and guest speakers included: L. Joy Gates Black, president, Delaware County Community College; Frances Blase, provost and associate professor of chemistry, Haverford College; Tammy Gocial, associate academic vice president, Maryville University; Tuajuanda C. Jordan, president, St. Mary’s College of Maryland; HERS core faculty Nancy Martin, CEO and partner, Archer~Martin Associates; Belinda Miles, president, Westchester Community College; Molly Smith, provost and vice president of academic affairs, University of Wisconsin-Superior; Kathleen Waldron, president, William Paterson University; and Donna Wilson, interim president at Lock Haven University.  

“The HERS experience was inspiring and transformational,” said Meier. “To hear directly from women in executive roles, to understand their professional development stories, challenges and successes, and how they lead change was invaluable. I am grateful for [College of Arts and Sciences] Dean [George] Watson’s support and nomination, and look forward to bringing fresh insights to my role at UD.”

Meier has served as director since 2014, providing senior communications counsel to the dean and college executive team, and leading a team of staff in executing comprehensive internal and external communications strategies. She is also an adjunct assistant professor in the departments of English and Business Administration.

Her previous roles since joining UD in 2006 include leadership of UD’s Lerner College of Business and Economics’ inaugural communications team, and management positions in the Department of English and Sea Grant College Program.

She serves as an executive board member on UD’s Women’s Caucus and chair of the communications committee, and is an ally of the LGBTQ Faculty/Staff Caucus. In 2013, she received the YoUDee Outstanding Advisor Award for advising UD’s premier student a cappella group, Vocal Point, a role she held for nine years.

Meier holds a bachelor’s degree in English, a master of business administration degree, and a doctorate in English, all from UD. Based on significance to scholarship, research and/or pedagogy of business communication, and demonstrated originality of thought and careful investigation, she recently earned the 2017 Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Association for Business Communication.

She was nominated to participate in HERS by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Previous UD attendees at HERS Bryn Mawr include Heather Kelly, director of institutional research, and P. Gabrielle Foreman, Ned B. Allen Professor of English and professor of Africana Studies, both in 2012. Lynnette Young Overby, professor of theatre, artistic director of “Women of Consequence” and deputy director of UD’s Community Engagement Initiative, previously attended HERS at its Wellesley College location.