A new program implemented will help interested University of Maryland Eastern Shore faculty members get an opportunity to gain leadership experience.
UMES Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Rondall Allen announced the inaugural cohort of a new Assistant Chair Program geared at developing a pipeline of capable leaders able to address the evolving needs of academic departments. The program’s first cohort began in October 2025 and runs through Aug. 21.
“The program is a unique one, especially among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, to help develop the next generation of leaders,” Allen said. “This is also a great opportunity to help department chairs get the support they need in helping implement departmental initiatives.”
Allen said the impetus of the program was inspired by his time as the dean of the School of Pharmacy & Health Professions, where he had to fill a department chair vacancy. With no succession plan in place, this led to the shuffling of positions and the creation of vacancies at others.
Members of the inaugural cohort were handpicked by their respective department chairs, with each member serving in the position between one and two years, at the chair’s discretion. Each member in the program also receives a stipend and a course release for the Spring 2026 semester.
This year’s cohort, 16 in all, ranges from a number of departments across the institutions’ four undergraduate schools.
Some of the roles and responsibilities for the assistant chairs may include working with faculty on essential policy revisions, department-related event planning, dealing with student degree audits and supporting their respective chairs in the accreditation process.
Department of English, Languages & Media Studies (ELMS) faculty member Dr. Amy Hagenrater will serve as the assistant chair under interim chair Dr. Cynthia Cravens.
Hagenrater, who has been at UMES since 2009, said she was honored to be chosen for the newly created role.
“I’m touched to be considered for this,” she said. “In our department, we pioneer creative areas in our discipline, and beyond that, in outreach in the University, and that’s the innovation we want to continue to provide.”
Also, participating in the program is Joel Tomlinson, who is the assistant chair in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology. Tomlinson said his decision to enlist in the program was in order to gain additional experience in managerial roles in higher education.
“This has definitely been eye-opening,” he said. “Being able to see some of the daily ins and outs and increased insight into departmental operations has given me a different perspective.”
Allen said the program, along with the previously introduced Faculty Fellows program, which focuses on developing leadership and administrative experience for faculty members in order to understand and support the University’s mission, is beneficial to the University when it comes to strategic planning.
“It’s a component of faculty retention and leadership development, and I think it’s helpful,” he said. “It allows experienced faculty to get a chance to see opportunities to develop their skills and learn more about the institution from a leadership perspective.”
Assistant Department Chair Leadership Program Inaugural Cohort:
- Dr. Bridgett Clinton-Scott, Human Ecology
- Dr. Richard DeBenedetto, Pharmacy Practice and Administration
- Dr. Gina Gibbs, Criminal Justice
- Dr. Amy Hagenrater, English, Languages, & Media Studies
- Dr. Xavier Henry, Aviation Sciences
- Dr. Elvin Hernandez, Fine Arts
- Dr. Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Dr. Lynnette Jones, Education
- Dr. Payam Matin, Engineering
- Dr. Caleb Nindo, Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences
- Dr. George Ojie-Ahamiojie, Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Dr. Constance Pruitt, Social Sciences
- Dr. Leslie Santos-Roman, Rehabilitation
- Joel Tomlinson, Computer Science and Engineering Technology
- Dr. Leslie West, Business, Management and Accounting
- Dr. Justine Whitaker, Natural Sciences
For more information on the Assistant Department Chairs Leadership Program, go to https://wwwcp.umes.edu/academic/assistant-department-chairs-leadership-program/.
