Leadership Academy

The ETSU Leadership Academy is dedicated to nurturing and developing the leadership capabilities of faculty and staff members to advance the university’s mission and strategic priorities. Core frameworks include emotional intelligence, adaptive leadership, growth mindset, servant leadership, and the distinction between management (operations) and leadership (vision and change). Case-based and scenario-driven learning ensures that theory is continually connected to real-world practice. Grounded in integrity, collaboration, and continuous personal and professional growth, the academy aims to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled leaders who are prepared to drive positive change within their units and departments, the broader university community, and the Appalachian Highlands region.

2026-27 Leadership Academy Cohort

Kari Albarado

Kari Albarado, MS is in her ninth year as Director of Campus Recreation at East Tennessee State University. She is an active member of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, where she previously served as Tennessee State Director (2022–2024). Kari currently serves as Vice President of the ETSU Staff Senate, is a member of the Alumni Board of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and serves as an adjunct professor in Sport and Recreation Management at ETSU. Outside of her professional roles, Kari is the proud mom of twins, Marleigh and Peyton (11).

 Brian Bennett

Brian Bennett, PhD is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Computing at East Tennessee State University. He has served as a full-time faculty member since 2015 and Department Chair since 2021. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from ETSU and his Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. His academic interests include software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computing education. His leadership emphasizes student success, faculty development, and academic program quality, including work on ETSU’s BlueSky Tennessee Institute partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which connects Computing education with workforce needs.

 Colin Glennon

Colin Glennon, PhD is Chair and Professor of Political Science at East Tennessee State University, where he has been on the faculty since 2013. He teaches courses in public law and American politics and serves as the pre-Law advisor for the University. Dr. Glennon's research interests focus broadly on judicial behavior, the relationship between courts and other branches of government, and citizen perceptions of judicial legitimacy. He enjoys mentoring undergraduate researchers, assisting students navigating graduate school and career options, and working with youth in the community, usually on the baseball field.

 Kaci Hauldren

Kacie B. Hauldren, PhD, MSN-Ed, BSN CNE, is Executive Director of Academic Student Success and Retention in the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing. An ETSU alumna, she joined the faculty in 2019 after directing the Practical Nursing program at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. She has since served as Post Licensure Director and Clinical Placement Coordinator. Her expertise includes student success, curriculum redesign, nurse faculty retention, and expanding access to nursing education for nontraditional learners. A Certified Nurse Educator and 2023 Tennessee Nurse Leader Rising Star, she is committed to strengthening the nursing workforce for this region.

 Daniel Hedden 

Daniel Hedden, MA is Director of Honors Programs at East Tennessee State University, where he oversees the Honors College's Changemaker Scholars program. He has worked at ETSU for nearly two decades, with much of that time devoted to honors education and curriculum development. His work focuses on creating opportunities for students to connect their academic experiences with meaningful work in their communities through experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. He also teaches in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, with interests in moral and political philosophy.

Jenny Lockmiller

Jenny Lockmiller, M.Ed serves as Director of University Career Services at East Tennessee State University, where she leads campus‑wide efforts to help students clarify their goals, build confidence and connect with meaningful career pathways. With more than two decades of experience in workforce development and cross‑sector leadership, she has directed multi‑site teams, managed complex federal programs, and built partnerships that align education with regional economic to support youth, adults, and job seekers across Northeast Tennessee. Her work centers on career education, strategic planning, employer engagement, and data‑informed program improvement, grounded in a collaborative leadership style that prioritizes people, purpose and community impact. 

 Natalie Smith

Natalie L. Smith, PhD is the Chair of Sport and Recreation Management in the College of Business and Technology. Her research focuses on organizational creativity and innovation in sport, publishing articles and leading workshops globally on the subject. Teaching organizational behavior, leadership, and administration in sport and recreation has been a profound way to authenticity grow as a leader herself. She also serves on the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, where she co-wrote the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.  In her career before academia, she worked in professional men’s and women’s soccer. Follow the department on Instagram at @ETSU_SARM.

Sarah Thomason 

Sarah Thomason, PharmD is Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice at East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. She chairs ETSU’s Executive Council of Chairs and is President-Elect of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. She has served as Vice Chair of Virginia’s Opioid Abatement Authority and currently serves on the Patient Advocate Foundation Board. Her leadership interests include faculty development, student success, academic policy, and strengthening partnerships across health care and higher education. She works to create an environment where faculty and students can thrive and pharmacy education can meet the changing needs of patients and communities.

• Nomination Process

  Deans and Vice Presidents identify faculty and staff with demonstrated leadership potential, a commitment to the university, and at least 5 years of service. Nominees complete the portion of the nomination packet related to their interest, leadership experiences, and alignment with the university's strategic priorities. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee appointed by the President and Provost, focusing on diversity, departmental representation, and potential impact. The President and Provost approve the final cohort of approximately eight (8) participants.
• Past Cohort Members

  2025-26 Leadership Academy Cohort

  

  William W. Cate

  William W. Cate, MBA, is Assistant Dean for Fiscal Affairs and Administration for East Tennessee State University's Charles C. Sherrod Library, Graduate School, and Honors College. Currently, he serves as the secretary to ETSU's Staff Senate and is a member of the east Tennessee chapter of the Project Management Institute. He also owns and operates Anna Marie’s Florist in Johnson City.   

  

  O.J. Early

  O.J. Early, Ed.D., is Director of Content Strategy at East Tennessee State University, where he leads integrated marketing campaigns and guides institutional storytelling. His work has generated national and state media attention. He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from ETSU, with dissertation research focused on student interpretation of institutional branding. He is an elected member of the ETSU Staff Senate, serves on the Board of Trustees for Washington College Academy, and is a member of the Warming Shelter Committee at First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City.

  

  Steph Frye-Clark

  Steph Frye-Clark, DMA, is Director of the Mary B. Martin School of the Arts and Associate Professor of Tuba & Euphonium at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where they also serve as Coordinator of the Brass Area. An internationally recognized performer, educator, and advocate for underrepresented composers, Steph has been on faculty since 2013. They currently serve as the elected Faculty Trustee on ETSU’s Board of Trustees, are a member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and sit on the Board of Directors of the International Women’s Brass Conference.

  

  Alyson Chroust

  Alyson Chroust, PhD, is Chair of Psychology and an Associate Professor at East Tennessee State University. An experimental psychologist, her research examines early cognitive and perceptual development, with a growing focus on infant outcomes following prenatal substance exposure. She leads research efforts for interdisciplinary initiatives addressing opioid use during pregnancy and early childhood health in Appalachia, integrating clinical data, multilevel modeling, and community-engaged approaches. Dr. Chroust mentors undergraduate and doctoral researchers and collaborates with community partners to advance evidence-based practices that support infants, families, and the professionals who serve them.

  

  Christy Hall

  Dr. Christy Hall is Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Nursing, where she has served in academic leadership for more than five years. With over 30 years’ experience in healthcare and 25 years in nursing education, she oversees undergraduate nursing students across multiple pathways. Her leadership focuses on academic excellence, student success, workforce development, and innovation in nursing education. Dr. Hall’s professional interests include trauma-informed education, nursing well-being, rural and underserved populations, and leadership development. She is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that enables faculty, staff, and student success while preparing outstanding nurses to meet healthcare needs.

  

  Jill K. Hayter

  Jill K. Hayter, Ph.D., serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Economics in the College of Business and Technology (CBAT) at East Tennessee State University. Her scholarship focuses on labor economics and public policy, with multiple peer-reviewed publications and national conference presentations. Since joining ETSU in 2010, she has advanced through key academic and administrative roles, contributing to strategic planning, accreditation, curriculum innovation, and student success initiatives within CBAT.

  

  Scott Jeffress

  Scott Jeffress is the Executive Director of the Roan Scholars Leadership Program at East Tennessee State University, a role he has held since retiring from the U.S. Army in 2012 after 22 years of service. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he served in leadership positions across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including leading ETSU’s Army ROTC Program. Jeffress oversees recruitment, leadership development, fundraising, and operations for the Roan Program. He also serves on several community and nonprofit boards, including Summit Leadership, the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, and the Johnson City Public Library.

  

  Jamie Price

  Jamie Price, PhD, is the department chair for Curriculum and Instruction in Clemmer College of Education and Human Development and Associate Professor of Math Education.  She is the program coordinator for the undergraduate elementary education program.  in addition to teaching pre-service teacher candidates, she leads professional development workshops for in-service teachers in the east Tennessee region.  She is a member of the inaugural class of the ETSU Leadership Academy.