Administrative Fellowship Program names 10 fellows

Continuing the legacy of a flagship leadership development fellowship for academic administrators of color, 10 new fellows have been selected for the 2007-08 class of the Administrative Fellowship Program. The seven visiting fellows are talented professionals drawn from business, education, and the professions outside the University, while the three resident fellows are exceptional professionals currently working at Harvard who were identified by their department and selected by the fellowship program review committee.

Coordinated by the Office of the Assistant to the President, the Administrative Fellowship Program (AFP) launched the program year with a one-day orientation at the Harvard Faculty Club in September. President Drew Faust welcomed the sponsors and 10 new fellows and proceeded to lead a discussion on Harvard’s ongoing commitment to diversity. Following her remarks, A. Clayton Spencer, vice president for policy, helped the fellows appreciate Harvard’s unique organizational structure and her role in the President’s Office.

Entering its 18th year, AFP is a University-wide program that provides professionals an opportunity to learn leadership by working in a significant academic administrative role for one year. AFP reflects Harvard’s strong commitment to addressing the under-representation of ethnic minority groups within the University’s administrative workforce.

The program is supplemented with educational seminars and case studies on various aspects of higher education leadership and academic administration. The program faculty is a combination of school deans, vice presidents, major office directors, and faculty across the University. The goals of the program include enhancing the fellows’ administrative and professional skills, and clarifying their career objectives.

The 2007-08 Harvard Visiting Administrative Fellows are as follows:

Simone Monique Barnes, B.A. in English literature and criticism (University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth) and Ed.M. in arts in education (Harvard Graduate School of Education [HGSE]). Barnes previously ran her own public relations consulting firm in New York City. She has worked as a public relations consultant with clients reflecting arts, publishing, lifestyle, and nonprofit sectors, such as HarperCollins Publishers, Aaron Davis Hall, the Thymes Ltd., and the Faith Quilts Project. Barnes has taught courses in marketing and public relations, and has published work with Oxford University Press. She currently serves on the board of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers. Her fellowship assignment is in the curatorial department of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

Emilyn Brown, B.A. in anthropology and African-American studies (City University of New York), M.A. in history (Columbia University), masters of science in library and information science (MSLIS/Pratt Institute). Brown most recently served as an archivist and acting librarian for the Research Institute for the Study of Man (RISM), and as an archival consultant for the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, both located in New York City. Prior to her decision to embark on a career as an archivist, Brown worked in the corporate sector. In 1991, she became an activist on behalf of the New York African Burial Project. Her primary research interest is the social history of colonial New York with an emphasis on African-American and women’s studies. Her fellowship assignments are at the Edna K. Loeb Music Library and the University Archives.

Roland N. Bullard Jr., B.A. in communication (Florida Atlantic University), M.Ed. in higher education administration (University of South Carolina), doctoral candidate (A.B.D.) in higher education administration (Indiana University). A student affairs administrator by trade, Bullard has served in various positions in higher education. He is an active member of several professional organizations dedicated to the study of college student personnel services such the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). For ACPA, he has taught online courses and serves as a curriculum consultant for the New Professionals Institute/Roadshow. Most recently, he was a fulltime doctoral student while serving in a graduate assistantship position in the Office of the Chancellor at Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis. His fellowship assignment is in the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) and is a multifaceted appointment that includes special projects in human resources, degree programs, facilities management, and the dean’s office.

Megan Minoka Hill, B.A. in international affairs (University of Colorado, Boulder), M.A. in social sciences (University of Chicago). A member of the Oneida Nation (Wisconsin), Hill brings comprehensive fundraising and public relations experience to Harvard. She previously served as a director of development for the Arizona State University Foundation, the director of development for the University of New Mexico’s College of Arts and Sciences, and the director of individual giving and major gifts for the American Indian College Fund, a national organization serving America’s 34 tribal colleges and universities. Hill has also consulted with international indigenous communities to foster sustainable and economic development in Siberia, New Zealand, Australia, and southern Africa. Currently, she is the secretary/treasurer on the board of directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy, and is a member of the board of directors for the Dr. Rosa Minoka Hill Fund. Hill’s fellowship assignment is in the Honoring Nations program at KSG.

Bill Johnson, B.S. in education and Ed.M. in administration (University of Nebraska). A native member of the Santee Sioux Tribe (Nebraska), Johnson has worked the past 15 years in various college settings, including public and private universities, as well as a community college. His primary work has been in collegiate athletics as a men’s basketball coach, he brings experience in various administrative areas including student affairs and recruitment, community and alumni relations, and fundraising and development. His most recent position was at the University of San Francisco. Johnson has always remained active in the Native American community, volunteering to meet with prospective incoming students at the universities and college where he has worked. Johnson’s fellowship assignment is in the Harvard University Native American Program.

Maria Mejia, bachelor of business administration (Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre Y Maestra, Dominican Republic), master of industrial and labor relations (Cornell University). While working at Avery Dennison Corp. for eight years, Mejia held various middle-management positions, such as human resources generalist, human resources manager, and acting human resources manager for Central America and the Caribbean. Her experience in the field of human resources includes staffing, training and development, and employee relations and project management. Mejia brings valuable experience in networking and building relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as a deep understanding of corporate and manufacturing environments in a global capacity. Mejia remains active as a volunteer by serving as a counselor to several nonprofit organizations, such as Local Initiatives Support Corp., a community development organization. Additionally, she volunteered as a translator at the 2004 presidential election polls, to assist the growing Latino population in understanding the voting ballot. Mejia’s fellowship assignment is in the Office of the Vice President of Finance.

LeSette M. Wright, B.A. in psychology (LaSalle University), Ed.M. in counseling psychology and guidance (Temple University), M.A. in bilingual/bicultural studies in Spanish (LaSalle University), and M.Div. in urban ministry (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Wright has 14 years of human services and public health experience. She served as public health adviser and violence prevention counselor at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), where she helped to develop the Peacezone, a violence prevention curriculum for students in grades K-5. She is a clinical therapist, certified nouthetic counselor, and certified school counselor with specialization in Spanish bilingual/bicultural studies and youth ministry. She has worked with students, families, teachers, administrators, clergy, and a host of mental health providers in a variety of settings, including Boston and Philadelphia school districts. Her fellowship assignment is in the Harvard Youth Violence Prevention Center at HSPH.

The 2007-08 Harvard Resident Administrative Fellows are as follows:

Pamela Burton, B.S. in business management (University of Massachusetts). Burton is currently the administrator for Faculty Support Services at HGSE, where she’s responsible for the day-to-day operations of the faculty assistants. She has been with the School for nearly three years. Previously, she worked at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for 15 years as the business director for the Social Service Department. There she started a committee of professionals of color. She was the first chairperson of this committee and continued to be involved in various diversity issues throughout her time at MGH. She is a past recipient of a YMCA Black Achiever Award.

Christie L. Taylor, B.A. in journalism (Boston University) and M.A. in English literature (University of Wisconsin, Madison). Taylor is currently the director of administration in the Department of Visual and Environmental Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She has been an administrator at Harvard for nearly 10 years. Prior to coming to Harvard, Taylor worked as an independent producer/director, business manager, and project consultant to WGBH; the Children’s Museum (Boston); Blackside, Inc.; Celestial Media; Reel Deal Productions; and others. She served as a participant on Governor-elect Deval Patrick’s transition team.

Loc Truong, B.S. in biochemistry (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) and M.S. in school counseling (University of La Verne). In his current position as assistant director of employer relations with the Career Services Office at HGSE, Truong works with employers in various education industries, helping them strategize recruiting methods and connecting them with the HGSE community. He also works closely with graduate students and alumni, guiding them in their job searches, and managing career expos. He has mentored teen fathers in a parenting education program, and worked as a counselor with organizations that prepare low-income high school students for college. In 1999, as a featured guest at the annual State of the Union address, Truong was recognized by President Clinton for his volunteer work with AmeriCorps.

Of the many former visiting fellows who remained at Harvard after their fellowship assignment, 18 are currently employed at the University in permanent staff positions.

The Administrative Fellowship Program is a collaborative effort between host departments and the Office of the Assistant to the President, with fellowship stipends being underwritten in part by the President’s Office. The program is coordinated by the Office of the Assistant to the President, where Teresa Malonzo serves as program coordinator and James Hoyte is the associate vice president/assistant to the president.