From 2022 until 2025, the Institute on Inquiry, Equity & Leadership in the Academic Department brought together teams of Ivy+ Provost Leadership Fellows selected from the most competitive research universities in the United States.
Fellows—all tenured faculty at FAN institutions—met virtually and in-person to interrogate the best scholars and scholarship on how systems shape the academic profession, then to understand the difference faculty can make in reshaping it. The program was designed to help faculty leaders in the work they were already doing as chairs, heads, and in similar academic leadership roles.
In addition to taking local action, Fellows concluded by designing and proposing multi-university initiatives to a panel of subject matter experts and foundation leaders. These capstones become shovel-ready projects for university or foundation support—or for Fellows to advance on their own.
Fellows left with new tools of leadership, like-minded partners, and support from the highest levels for leading changes demonstrated to advance a more inclusive excellence and to help all faculty thrive in their units.
Scaling impact, FAN universities deployed the Institute’s videos, workbooks, and other best-in-class resources for their own faculty development programs.
The Ivy+ Provost Leadership Fellows
Ivy+ Provost Leadership Fellows were selected by members of FAN’s Steering Committee (often in consultation with deans) from the tenured ranks of their institutions. In the three-year Institute cycle beginning in 2022, Fellows were typically department chairs/heads, associate deans, center or institute directors, or other faculty facing similar leadership portfolios.
Inquiries into the ‘Discretionary Spaces’ of Faculty
In the vernacular of the FAN Institute, “inquiries” tackled discretionary spaces where just one faculty member can make an outsized impact on fairness and opportunity—and ultimately, the diversity represented in their units and disciplines. Participants in an inquiry engaged scholarship (What is happening out there?), evidence (What is happening in my department?), and practice (What can I do from my current position?).
Each Institute inquiry had three parts:
A “masterclass”-style video introduction to the module by a nationally-acclaimed expert [~25 minutes]
An interactive working session—some in person, some virtual—led by the expert [90 minutes]
Discussion board engagement and a debrief with campus colleagues and/or a cross-consortium “crew” [30-45 minutes]
Each scholar we invited to lead sessions for Fellows brought an expertise in bias, racialization, and other inequities—all challenging ideas. Yet this Institute was first and foremost an inquiry, so we invited Fellows to bring the tools of their disciplinary training to interrogate the best scholarship and their own assumptions about these concepts. Through free inquiry, Fellows made up their own minds about what to implement back on their campuses.
SERVICE & WORKLOADS
KerryAnn O’Meara, Ph.D.
Teachers College, Columbia University
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Julie R. Posselt, Ph.D.
University of Southern California
SEARCHES & HIRING
Damani White-Lewis, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
MENTORSHIP
Kimberly A. Griffin, Ph.D.
University of Maryland
CULTURE & CLIMATE
Sharon Fries-Britt, Ph.D.
University of Maryland
excellence, merit & peer review
Abigail Stewart, Ph.D.
University of Michigan
Institute Prologues: Equity-minded Leadership & Diversity’s Imperative
The 2022-25 Institutes began with masterclass-style videos specially produced by FAN that featured icons in the field of higher education scholarship.
Estela Bensimon, Ph.D.
University of Southern California
Click above to view Prof. Estela Bensimon’s contribution to the Ivy+ Institute on Inquiry, Equity & Leadership in the Academic Department.
Daryl G. Smith, Ph.D.
Claremont Graduate University
Click above to view Prof. Daryl G. Smith’s contribution to the Ivy+ Institute on Inquiry, Equity & Leadership in the Academic Department.
Typical Institute Schedule
Fall [IN-PERSON]: Fellows meet their “crews,” critically reflect, and establish expectations for the “inquiries” to come. [2 days/2 nights]
Winter [VIRTUAL]: Fellows explore the “discretionary spaces” where faculty have the greatest impact on — or against — default routines, policies, and practices in their departments. [every 4 to 6 weeks]
Spring [IN-PERSON]: Fellows consolidate the year’s learning into proposals for shovel-ready systemic change initiatives. [3 days/2 nights]
What’s next?
In 2025, the Ivy+ FAN Steering Committee reorganized the Institute for a new cycle to meet a new moment. Click here to learn more about the Institute on Faculty Voice and Collaborative Leadership.
How do I learn more?
If you are a prospective Fellow, contact your FAN Steering Committee representative to learn more about the Institute for Ivy+ Provost Leadership Fellows. If you are a prospective Inquiry leader or you are an outside organization looking to learn more about this initiative, contact FAN’s Executive Director.