Stockton Provost Selected to Attend Leadership Academy

Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Harvey Kesselman has once again been selected as a member of an elite group of administrators of higher education nationwide.

Five months after being selected to a to discuss higher education, Kesselman has been named one of 40 college administrators nationwide and one of 20 from public colleges to attend the Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), the college announced on Tuesday, May 29.

The ELA is comprised of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Academic Leadership Institute and the Council of Independent Colleges.

They've come together in an effort to prepare experienced cabinet officers to become successful presidents and chancellors, according to Stockton. The program is made up of ational seminars, readings, executive coaching, mentorship experience and more, according to the school.

“Dr Kesselman has an innate sense of how to lead and a keen understanding of the issues facing higher education in New Jersey and nationally,” said Stockton College President Dr. Herman Saatkamp, who nominated Kesselman. “He exemplifies, at a superior level, the qualities sought (by the ELA’s selection committee).”

Saatkamp said he nominated Kesselman because of Kesselman's years of dedication to Stockton, initially as a student before playing an instrumental role in helping the college grow. He did so in a number of administrative positions, including: Vice President for Student Affairs; CEO of the Southern Regional Institute (SRI) and Educational Technology Training Center (ETTC); Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance; Dean of the School of Education; and currently as Provost.

ELA tackles the changing role of college presidents, Stockton said. This includes institutional fit, government relations, fundraising, financial management and a number of additional aspects, according to the school.

“It is gratifying that Dr. Saatkamp has demonstrated the confidence in me to make his generous nomination, and humbling to have been selected,” Kesselman said. “This academy will be challenging, and it will provide the opportunity for Stockton to benefit from my participation. I plan on working hard to justify this nomination and selection and to represent Stockton.”