HARRISBURG – HACC staff members Cheryl Batdorf, executive dean of academic affairs at the Lebanon Campus; Michael Sandy, director of global education; and Karen Tombs-Harling, associate dean of academic affairs for the Virtual Campus recently completed the Academic Leadership Academy from Penn State's Center for the Study of Higher Education.

They attended sessions in State College designed for academic administrators to further develop their leadership, communication and problem-solving abilities. Some of the topics studied were faculty development, strategic planning and resource development, legal issues in higher education and managing conflict. Monthly virtual sessions followed throughout the past academic year.

“As someone who has been working in higher education administration for 17 years, I am impressed with the pertinent topics that were discussed during the week-long training,” said Batdorf. “The presenters were very knowledgeable and, in many cases, are recognized researchers in their fields.”