Quinnipiac U Professor Completes Research Institute Program

Caption: Julia Fullick-Jagiela, associate professor and chair of management and co-director of the People’s United Center for Women & Business at Quinnipiac University. Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac University.

Hamden, CT – Julia M. Fullick-Jagiela of Cheshire, associate professor and chair of management and co-director of the People’s United Center for Women & Business at Quinnipiac University, recently completed the 2019 HERS Institute leadership development program in Golden, Colorado. HERS is a leadership development and research organization dedicated to women in higher education.

Research has shown that women hold less than 40 percent of tenured positions and only 36 percent of full professorships, according to the TIAA Institute. Likewise, only 30 percent of presidents at the nation’s colleges and universities are women, according to the American Council on Education.

The HERS Institute was created to proactively fill higher education leadership roles across the country with dynamic women. The HERS program helps participants develop their individual leadership strengths to lead change on campus, expand their knowledge of the higher education landscape and become even stronger assets to their institutions.

Fullick-Jagiela joined 63 competitively selected leaders from across the United States and Canada to take part in the intensive, residential leadership development program at the Colorado School of Mines.

Research also has shown that women only apply for a position if they meet 100 percent of the qualifications, while men apply even if they only meet 60 percent of the qualifications, according to Hewlett Packard. Alumnae of the HERS Institute noted the program’s noncompetitive space energized them and helped them develop the confidence needed to lead at their respective institutions.

“While attending the HERS Institute, I focused on adaptability, skill diversity and lifelong learning,” Fullick-Jagiela said. “In order for higher education to remain sustainable, an open mindset is crucial—one that will embrace change and not be afraid to innovate and pivot as needed.

“We have a lot of work to do in academia, and those of us in leadership roles have a duty and responsibility to make higher education a more equitable and inclusive space,” she added. “The HERS Institute curriculum not only offered me the opportunity to prepare for my leadership roles, but also to succeed in them. Our Center for Women & Business has the potential to be a welcoming, lifelong learning center for current students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.”

Each attendee of the HERS Institute is required to complete a self-designed leadership project that pursues organizational change on campus. Past examples include creating a new institution program, launching a campus center or spearheading other types of campus initiatives. A participant’s leadership development begins with her application and continues throughout her residency.

“My current work is focused on redefining leadership development practice to include diverse leadership voices and experience,” Fullick-Jagiela said. “I challenge my students to be catalysts for inclusive and equitable change, and to empower them to be dedicated leaders in the classroom and community.”

Fullick-Jagiela, who joined Quinnipiac in 2013, has served as department chair and co-director of the People’s United Center for Women & Business since 2018. She was the recipient of the 2015 Quinnipiac University Pi Beta Phi Certificate of Excellence in Teaching award. She has a doctorate and master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, all from the University of Central Florida.