By: Diane Stirling
(315) 443-8975
Jeffrey M. Stanton, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Programs and Professor at the School of Information Studies (iSchool), has been named as a fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE) for the 2012-2013 academic year.
The announcement of the year’s fellowship appointments was made today in Washington, DC by Molly Corbett Broad, American Council on Education president.
The appointment will provide Stanton with a unique opportunity – the chance to spend a year working alongside a college or university president or senior academic officer as an intensive leadership development experience. Stanton is one of 57 fellows from across the U.S. and internationally who was selected this year following nomination by their institutional leaders, and after a rigorous application process.
“This fellowship is truly unique in that it provides the opportunity to experience what happens from the president’s office on down, and you get to see the inner workings of a university from many different angles,” Stanton said. While his placement won’t be finalized until June, Stanton said he is hoping to be placed at a state university (public) setting, because that will contrast with the experiences he has had as an associate dean while at Syracuse, a private school.
Stanton was nominated for the fellowship by Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor, herself once an ACE fellow. “It’s a great honor, and it’s something that I’m really looking forward to taking part in. It is an incredible growth opportunity,” Stanton said. “This will be a chance to branch out and understand issues from the perspective of the whole university. I greatly appreciate the Chancellor’s support and vote of confidence in this, and I’m hoping that the fellowship will be beneficial both for the iSchool and for Syracuse University in the long run,” he said.
According to the ACE, each fellow is included in the highest level of decision making while participating in administrative activities. Through that experience and accompanying seminars and other leadership activities, the fellowship provides the opportunity “to condense years of on-the-job experience and skills development into a single semester or year.”
Established in 1965, the program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising senior faculty and administrators for responsible positions in college and university administration. According to Sharon A. McDade, Ed.D., fellows program director, most previous fellows have advanced into major positions in academic administration. She said that of more than 1,700 participants over 47 years, more than 300 have become chief executive officers and more than 1,100 have become provosts, vice presidents, or deans.
“We’re extremely pleased with the strength of the incoming class,” McDade said. “The Fellows Program will sharpen and enhance their leadership skills and their network, and prepare them to address issues of concern to the higher education community.”
Stanton has served as an Associate Dean at the School of Information Studies for four years. A psychologist by training, his research has addressed specialized research methods, psychometrics, and statistics, with a focus on self-report techniques. His research involves applying the principles of behavioral science and organizational research towards understanding the interactions of people and technology in institutional contexts. He is the author of the book, “Information Nation: Education and Careers in the Emerging Information Professions.”
Currently on a one-semester research leave from his iSchool position, Stanton has authored a number of scholarly articles in peer-reviewed behavioral science journals, as well as various computer, psychology and information publications. He has more than a decade of experience in business working in startup and established firms, and has worked in private industry as a human resource analyst. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1997.