Assistant Department Chairs Leadership Program

I. OVERVIEW

The Assistant Department Chair Leadership Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is designed to provide faculty with an opportunity to gain leadership experience and develop the skills necessary to serve as department chairs. The program aims to build a pipeline of capable leaders who are well-equipped to address the evolving needs of academic departments, promote collaboration, and enhance the overall effectiveness of academic leadership.

Upon completion of the program, the faculty will be able to:

A.        Describe various leadership theories.
B.        Discuss the different roles and responsibilities of the Department Chair.
C.        Describe the key components of effective team dynamics.
D.        Distinguish the various techniques used to resolve conflicts.
E.         Apply strategies used to manage difficult conversations.
F.        Apply the principles in giving and receiving constructive feedback.

II. PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Stipend

The program will occur during the 2025-26 calendar year.  It will begin on October 6, 2025, and end on August 21, 2026.  Faculty participation will be determined by the department chairs and deans.  Each participant will receive a stipend and a course release for the Spring 2026 semester.  The stipend will be paid in two disbursements (Spring 2026 and Summer 2026).

Leadership Development

The leadership component will include the following:

A.        Leadership seminars focusing on topics such as conflict resolution, team dynamics, leadership theories and leadership styles.
B.        Training on the administrative functions of the department chair.
C.        Mentorship from the department chair and, if applicable, the dean of the School.

III. POTENTIAL LIST OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE ASSISTANT DEPARTMENT CHAIR

The Assistant Department Chair may assist and make recommendations to the Department Chair to support a range of key departmental activities and initiatives. The specific duties of this position will be defined by the Department Chair in alignment with the department’s strategic goals and current priorities. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

A.        Course schedules
B.        Course assignments, course releases, and identification of suitable adjuncts.
C.        Identify suitable Teaching Assistants (TAs) for teaching assignments or class-related duties.
D.        Support for the Chair in the accreditation process
E.         Committee assignments.
F.         Agendas for department and sub-chair meetings.
G.        Department-related event planning.
H.        Budget management.
I.          Strategic planning
J.         Monthly reports to the Dean’s office.
K.        Marketing reports on student and department performance to the administration.
L.         Periodic Program Review.
M.       General reporting to the Provost and other administrative offices.
N.        Represent the Department at the Chair’s request.
O.        Perform special assignments as identified by the Chair.
P.         Undertake special initiatives.
Q.        Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all activities.
R.        Collaborate with faculty on needed policy revisions.
S.         Help identify and solve problems relating to the Department.
T.         Other duties specified by the chair in the contract.

IV. EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS

Participants in the program are expected to:

A.        Collaborate effectively with the department chair and other faculty members.
B.        Demonstrate initiative and a commitment to fostering a positive departmental environment.
C.        Actively engage in all of the seminars and trainings.
D.        Attend the monthly update meetings with the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
E.         Participate in the assessment and evaluation of the program.

Assistant Department Chair Leadership – INAUGURAL COHORT

Dr. Bridgett Clinton-Scott is a Full Professor and the Graduate Program Director in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where she has been a dedicated faculty member since 2005. Dr. Clinton-Scott earned her Doctor of Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly known as University of Maryland University College), complementing her M.S. in Merchandising Management from Michigan State University.

Her teaching expertise is focused on fashion merchandising and design, with a particular emphasis on fashion technology. Dr. Clinton-Scott’s research portfolio encompasses organizational management, knowledge transfer, and consumer behavior. She has contributed significantly to her field through several publications and juried design pieces. Beyond her academic duties, Dr. Clinton-Scott is actively involved in student success as the co-director of the campus Professional Dress Clothes Closet. This initiative provides free professional attire to UMES students, reflecting her deep commitment to student engagement. She regards the many impactful student engagement activities she has spearheaded as the highlights of her distinguished career.

---

Dr. Richard DeBenedetto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. As a practicing clinical pharmacist, he also holds a position at Chesapeake Healthcare where he focuses on HIV, gender-affirming care, and hepatitis C pharmacotherapy. His educational background is varied with a residency with Campbell University and Walgreens, a Pharm.D. and Master of Science in Clinical Research from Campbell University, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Education.

Dr. DeBenedetto’s scholarly work focuses on a variety of areas, reflecting his roots in community pharmacy training, specifically, substance use disorders, OTC medications, pharmacy advocacy, HIV, and medication access. As an active member of the Maryland Pharmacists Association, serving in various positions on the board for 5 years, he has been a staunch advocate for pharmacists as healthcare providers at both state and federal levels.

---

Dr. Gina N. Gibbs is the Assistant Chair for the Department of Criminal Justice and an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (MES). She previously served as the Department Chair for the Criminal Justice program at Howard Payne University.  She specializes in correctional rehabilitation, implementing and assessing evidence-based practices in correctional settings, and criminal justice policy.  She has her BS in Psychology and Public Policy from Howard Payne University, her JD from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, her MS in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas, and her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Corrections from the University of Cincinnati. 

Her legal experience includes The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, National Geographic Channel, and the Tarrant County Court Systems.  She has extensive research experience through the University of Cincinnati’s Corrections Institute, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and numerous prisons and departments of corrections across the country. Currently Dr. Gibbs serves as the Principal Investigator for an evaluation project examining state mandated trainings for social workers in Maryland.  She is also the Faculty Advisor to the Pre Law Student Association at UMES.As a native Texas, Dr. Gibbs has very strong opinions about Tex-Mex, BBQ and Beyonce.  In her spare time, she enjoys being on the water, exploring the islands off Chesapeake Bay, cooking, and listening to podcasts.  She is always happy to talk about true crime, music, and books. 

---

Dr. Amy Hagenrater is a Professor in the Department of English, Languages, and Media Studies at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  During her sixteen years at the University, she has taught classes on modern drama, the novel, and American and world literature.  She has developed many courses for UMES such as women’s literature, Afrofuturism, and dystopian fiction.  Dr. Hagenrater has pioneered interdisciplinary initiatives with her English and math cohort (The Mathematics of Literacy) and her interdisciplinary Afrofuturism course. 

Her research interests deal with gender issues, women’s agency, and mother-work as seen in her publications “The Impossibility of Male/Female Relationships in Willa Cather’s My Antonia” (2016), “Pink Is the New Green: Raising Little Shoppers from Birth” (2013), and “Scribbling Pleasure: Undertaking the Sentence of Desire” (2022).  She has chapters featured in Mothers Who Kill (2022) and Seeing the Apocalypse: Essays on Bird Box (2021), respectively, and continues her work exploring gendered sites of oppression through her writing in #MeToo and Literary Studies: Reading, Writing, and Teaching about Sexual Violence and Rape Culture (2021).  Her creative non-fiction work, Potemkin Village, on the abuses within a woman’s lived experience is slated for a 2026 publication.

---

Xavier Henry, Ph.D, is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aviation Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. His educational experience includes doctoral research in sustainability and bioenergy and a Masters in natural resources management with a focus on the utilization of unmanned aerial platforms to improve decision making in Agri-systems. He also maintains a commercial pilot’s license, ground instructor rating, and a remote pilot certificate. Xavier is also a proponent of multidisciplinary education and research and has taught an array of courses at the University and other academic venues. Furthermore, his passion for education and research is evident in numerous collaborations related to air transportation, sustainability, natural resource management all of which have been funded by the Federal
Aviation Administration, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Transportation, and NASA. Xavier has also coauthored two textbook chapters related to bioenergy and sustainability and has journal articles in several areas of his research interest.

---

Dr. Hernandez earned his M.F.A. in Sequential Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and his Ed.D in Higher Education from Argosy University. He is an educator with over seventeen years’ worth of experience, as well as a practicing freelance artist in the field of comics, illustration, and commercial art. As a Sequential Illustrator, he has worked on projects for Topps cards, Upper Deck, Toys R’ Us, and Focal press (writing and illustrating “Set The Action!”, an educational book on background design for Media Artists, and Kaiser Studio Productions). He has also worked on images and marketing material for DC Entertainment, Marvel and Star Wars, as well as freelancing for City State Entertainment on both comics and gaming material.

He is currently working on the second issue of his own comics property “Mundo Rudo”, exploring elements of his Hispanic and Caribbean background using superhero/”luchador” archetypes in an action/adventure story. As an educator, he has taught subjects connected with visual arts and sequential storytelling at institutions including the University of the District of Columbia and the Art Institute of Washington, while also speaking on subjects connected to Sequential Art studies at events such as the San Diego Comic Con, AwesomeCon, and other conventions across the country. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he has taught Sequential Art and Art Education courses since 2020.

---

Dr. Patrice L. Jackson-Ayotunde is a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, MD. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from LeMoyne-Owen College in 2000, and her M.S. degree in Organic Chemistry from Tennessee State University in 2003. She completed her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (concentration in Medicinal Chemistry) 2009, from Howard University. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde continued her research training as a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University in the Drug Discovery Program.

Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde’s research engages in early drug discovery of small molecules for the treatment of generalized and drug-resistant epilepsy. She currently holds a U.S. patent on a series of antiseizure agents in preclinical studies. Her laboratory has a long-standing partnership with the Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP) at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde has a drug library of over 30 compounds and over 20 of those analogs have been evaluated by ETSP for anti-seizure activity in a battery of induced-seizure animal models. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde also have collaborations with her UMES colleagues Drs. Miguel Martin (SOP) and Tracy Bell (Department of Natural Sciences) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Psychoactive Drug Screening Program led by Dr. Bryan Roth’s lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She truly enjoys working with students. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde has trained and mentored several graduate, professional, and undergraduate students. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde has published several articles in refereed journals, two book chapter, and over forty abstract presentations at national scientific meetings.

Currently, Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde serves as the Director of Graduate Studies for the Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program, one of the Co-Directors for Alumni Affairs along with Drs. Tejada and Truong, and faculty advisor for the Pharmacy Student Government Association and the UMES American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Student Chapter. She was awarded The UMES Richard Bernstein Endowed Professorship in 2019. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde was named a CURE (Citizens United For Research In Epilepsy) Champion for her efforts in epilepsy research and assisting the pharmacy students with the Annual UMES School of Pharmacy 5K Strides for Epilepsy Run/Walk event. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde is currently a member of the American Epilepsy Society, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, American Chemical Society: Medicinal Chemistry Division, and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. She is also a member of The Princess Anne (MD) Chapter of The Links, Inc. Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde resides in Salisbury, MD with her husband Alexander and 9-year old daughter Abigail Oreoluwa.

---

Dr. Lynnette Jones serves as the Assessment Coordinator for the Department of Education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. With 34 years of experience as an educator, she has had the privilege of working with both students and teachers in various settings. Her extensive background includes roles as a special education teacher, Dean of Students, Principal, and Supervisor of Special Education in the Somerset County Public School System.

In 2016, Dr. Jones began her tenure as an assistant professor in the special education program within the School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts. She is dedicated to education and works collaboratively with faculty members to prepare future teachers for careers in public school systems throughout Maryland and beyond.

---

Dr. Payam Matin is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Princess Anne, Maryland. Dr. Matin has received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan in May 2005. After graduation, he worked for the auto-manufacturer DaimlerChrysler (now Stellantis). Dr. Matin joined UMES in 2007 to help develop the UMES general engineering program. He has taught 15 different undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Dr. Matin has published nearly 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. He is the recipient of federal and private grants from NSF, US Army, MD Space Grant Consortium, DS Smith/MIPS, etc. He served as the ABET accreditation coordinator for two successful accreditation visits. He has helped the engineering department develop and launch both new undergraduate programs (including Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering) and new graduate programs (including masters of Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics, and PhD in Applied Engineering and Computing). Dr. Matin served as an Acting Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology at UMES from June 2022 to June 2023. He is currently serving as the Assistant Department Chair of the Department of Engineering at UMES.

---

Dr. Caleb Nindo is a Professor of Food Processing and Engineering and Director of the Food and Agricultural Sciences PhD program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Dr. Nindo obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and PhD in Food Processing Engineering from the United Graduate School, Iwate University (Japan). He has over 25 years of experience teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and conducting research on novel food/agricultural processing technologies that add value and improve food safety, quality, and shelf life. He has several publications in peer-reviewed journals and outreach bulletins. Dr. Nindo is passionate about providing hands-on and experiential learning to students, working on projects with local food businesses, and serving in the Department and the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences in various capacities. He is actively engaged in global food security projects and outreach to under-resourced farmers, having served as Cluster Lead for five 1890 Land-grant Universities organized under the Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD). He led the training of USDA Cochran Fellows on US food quality standards/regulations, USDA-supported urban agriculture projects, summer demonstrations of food processing techniques to high school students and teachers of agriculture.

---

Dr.  George Ojie-Ahamiojie is an Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program. He is the author of the books “Essential Leadership Skills for Hospitality Supervisors: An Experiential Approach,” and “Upward Mobility: Interviewing and Career Management.” In 2019, he was recognized and given the “Worcester County of Maryland Drug and Alcohol Abuse Award for Outstanding Achievement in Prevention,” by the Worcester County Health Department. Governor Larry Hogan and Senator Chris Van Hollins of Maryland also presented him with citations for his work in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention.

He was awarded The UMES Second Annual Student Choice for Teaching Excellence Badge of Distinction for 2021-2022. He was awarded the “Partners in Excellence,” the highest award given by the Walt Disney Company for excellent performance, guest satisfaction, cast excellence, and business results. Also awarded “President Bill Tiefel Award” by Marriott International for quality service and guest service, and satisfaction.

---

Dr. Constance Pruitt is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). She specializes in International Relations, Comparative Politics in Africa, and American Government. Her expertise includes international organizations, elections, democratization, politics of the Global South, peace and conflict resolution, and diverse representation in foreign affairs. In academia, through her near-decade of experience as a collegiate instructor, Constance provided teaching and mentorship to numerous students across several universities such as Howard University, James Madison University, Trinity Washington University, and the University of the Potomac. She has contributed scholarly works in the field through multiple publications including book chapters, peer-reviewed academic journal articles, and book reviews. She has co-authored a chapter entitled “The Struggle for Governance-Democracy in Contemporary Africa” within the book “Black Freedom Struggles.” Constance is also a Peer Reviewer for Sage Publications and was the Assistant Director of Howard University’s Pre-PhD Summer Enrichment Program. Her current book project analyzes the role of Black women in foreign affairs spaces. As a scholar-practitioner, Constance previously worked at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on the Southern and East Africa regional team and at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) within the Africa Center. Furthermore, she has worked on local political campaigns and has several years of experience in international recruitment for the tech company 2U, Inc.

Constance also values the importance of volunteer service and advocates for increased diversity in politics. She was the first Board President of the organization Black Women in International Affairs (BWINTAF). She served on the Advisory Committee for Women in Global Development Leadership Forum and as an Ambassador for Howard University’s Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership, among other volunteer experiences. Constance’s work in academia and politics was recognized when she was honored on the “2021 Power 50 Leaders in National Security and Foreign Affairs” list by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Diversity in National Security Network (DINSN). She is currently a Stephen M. Kellem term member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Constance holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, a Master’s degree in International Relations from Webster Graduate School, Regent’s University London, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Howard University.

---

Dr. Leslie M. Santos-Román serves as Associate Professor and Clinical Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). She holds a PhD in Rehabilitation and Counseling Education and a postdoctoral degree in Disability Policy, with over 19 years of clinical expertise in counseling, clinical practice, and mental health. In her role as a faculty member and Clinical Coordinator for the program, Dr. Santos-Román oversees practicum and internship placements, cultivates strategic agency partnerships, and facilitates students’ attainment of competencies, fostering valuable collaborations that enhance program quality and community engagement.

Her scholarly work addresses the critical need for enhanced access to mental health services in rural and underserved communities. Dr. Santos-Román demonstrates a sustained commitment to interdisciplinary training, preparing counseling students to collaborate effectively with professionals across different fields. She emphasizes ethical and multicultural practice within a developmental framework, supporting students’ progressive acquisition of competencies throughout their training trajectory and ensuring they are prepared to work effectively with diverse populations.

Dr. Santos-Román’s research agenda and federally funded grant initiatives focus on expanding specialized training opportunities and advancing service delivery for children and families, especially in underserved and marginalized communities. Her scholarship advances culturally responsive, family-centered, and community-engaged approaches to counselor education, inspiring a shared dedication to equity and social impact. As a Latina scholar, Dr. Santos-Román’s participation in the Assistant Chair Program reflects her dedication to increasing diversity and fostering inclusive leadership. She recognizes the importance of representation in shaping equitable educational environments and mentoring the next generation of professionals. Through this role, she aims to model inclusive leadership practices and contribute to systemic change within higher education, particularly in programs serving historically marginalized communities.

---

Mr. Joel Tomlinson is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology (CSET) at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). He teaches courses in circuit analysis, electronic design, digital electronics, industrial controls, and instrumentation and measurement systems. Mr. Tomlinson also provides leadership for the Engineering Technology program’s accreditation process through the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). In October 2024, Mr. Tomlinson played a key role in assisting the Engineering Technology program in achieving its initial ATMAE accreditation.

He brings more than six years of professional experience as an Industrial Electronics Technician in the food processing industry. Prior to joining UMES, he served as a manufacturing engineer, where he directed the design and production of wire harnesses for both commercial and military applications. Drawing upon his industry background, Mr. Tomlinson established student internship and cooperative education opportunities with his former employers to enhance experiential learning and better prepare Engineering Technology students for successful entry into the workforce. Mr. Tomlinson serves as the faculty mentor for the Global Electronics Foundation student chapter at UMES, which supports students in developing the technical and professional skills necessary for successful careers in electronics manufacturing.

Mr. Tomlinson’s scholarly and research focuses on technology and engineering education, with an emphasis on career and industry readiness. He recently concluded a National Science Foundation–funded initiative titled Teachers and Researchers Advancing Integrated Lessons in STEM (TRAILS). This project promoted the integration of the scientific method and the engineering design process to address the educational needs of rural and underserved communities.

In addition, Mr. Tomlinson has contributed extensively to the Cyber Warriors Diversity Program at UMES, which seeks to broaden participation among underrepresented and minority populations in the fields of cybersecurity and information security. The program provides students, faculty, and community members with access to free cybersecurity training and professional certification opportunities.

---

Dr. Leslie West brings a blend of academic expertise and industry experience to the classroom, with a professional background in auditing and accounting across government, financial, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. This diverse background enables her to bridge the gap between real-world practice and academic learning, preparing students to apply accounting principles in a variety of business settings. At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dr. West teaches courses in accounting, auditing, and business communications. She is dedicated to helping students build both technical competence and strong professional communication skills, essential qualities for success in today’s business environment. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA, Inc.).

Dr. West’s teaching and research interests include auditing, financial accounting and sustainability, housing economics, internal controls, growth mindset and effective communication in professional and organizational contexts. Dr. West holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Old Dominion University.

---

Dr. Justine Whitaker is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where she leads research in molecular ecology of aquatic systems. She earned her Ph.D. from West Virginia University’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment and her M.S. in Biology from William & Mary. Before joining UMES, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of West Florida and served as an Assistant Professor at Nicholls State University. As research faculty for the Paul S. Sarbanes Coastal Ecology Center and NOAA LMRCSC, she continues to advance research that supports sustainable fisheries and coastal conservation. As graduate faculty, she chairs and serves on graduate committees and to guide students through projects in fisheries genetics and molecular ecology. She has taught courses spanning science communication, genetics, and biology of fishes.

---