Membership involvement and development has been a focus of ALE for years. Beyond the annual conference, the association is committed to creating opportunities for ALE members to connect with leadership educators and practitioners throughout the year to share, network, dialogue, and collaborate in areas that are important to them.
We are pleased to offer five separate Focus Area Networks (FANs) to our members. Each FAN group is directed by a coordinator who organizes communication and content with that group. The groups and their respective listservs serve as an opportunity for communication with like-minded professionals. The FAN groups often hold webinars, send relevant information or publications to their members, and discuss collaboration opportunities for the ALE annual conference. The groups also gather in person at least once during the annual conference. See the descriptions and contact information below for each of the ALE FAN groups.
ALE members interested in joining a FAN group or groups should contact Summer Odom, summerodom@tamu.edu with your areas of interest.
Agriculture & Extension Leadership
The Agriculture & Extension Leadership FAN is comprised of individuals interested in the unique opportunities and challenges of leadership across agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. This group provides space to share ideas, exchange resources, and explore innovative approaches to developing leaders in agricultural and extension contexts. Those with years of experience as extension educators, those just beginning their work in agricultural leadership, and anyone eager to learn more about this field are invited to be a part of this FAN.
Ag & Extension Leadership FAN Leader:
Erin Gorter, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Education & Communication
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Ekthomps@calpoly.edu
Teaching and Pedagogy/Andragogy
Our purpose is to dialogue outside (and inside) conference spaces around shared interests in regard to leadership development and education in adult learning (andragogy) and pedagogy. To utilize this space to network, share ideas, and to discuss areas of tension and/or challenges that arise around developing leaders. We encourage our members to engage in the following ways:
- Share recent and applicable scholarly research
- Collaborating through dialogue
- Best practices and resource sharing
- Personal and professional development
- Scholarship of teaching and learning (outcome)
- New and innovative approaches/pedagogy
Teaching and Pedagogy/Andragogy FAN Leaders:
Dan Jenkins, Ph.D.
Professor
Leadership & Organizational Studies
University of Southern Maine
daniel.m.jenkins@maine.edu
Kate McCain, Ph.D.
Collegiate Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Virginia Tech
kdmccain@vt.edu
Co-curricular Programs and Student Affairs Leadership
The Co-Curricular FAN is designed to connect and foster discussion amongst practitioners offering leadership education outside of the classroom. Whether you advise a student organization, foster leadership in student leaders in the student affairs space, or develop professional competencies with graduate students, this FAN is for you! During the year, our FAN provides opportunities to network and discuss topics and strategies connected to our work. At the annual ALE conference, we get together to network with each other and discuss how we can further develop the field as well as each other.
Co-curricular Programs and Student Affairs FAN Leaders:
Madeline Lambing, Ed.D.
Associate Director of Leadership Experiences/Lecturer
Aleshire Center for Leadership & Community Engagement
Washburn University
madeline.lambing@washburn.edu
Ashlee Young
ashlee.k.young@gmail.com
Graduate Leadership Education
The graduate education FAN group is comprised of individuals interested in considering the unique niche of graduate education in leadership as well as exploring the various pedagogies utilized in delivery of this education. Those new to graduate leadership education, those who have had more experience, and even those who just want to learn more about graduate leadership education are invited to be a part of this FAN.
Graduate Leadership Education FAN Leaders:
Andrew Wefald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Staley School of Leadership
Kansas State University
wefald@ksu.edu
Haden M. Botkin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Organizational & Community Leadership
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
hmbotkin@illinois.edu
Leadership Studies Research
The Leadership Studies Research FAN is designed to sharpen the scholarly capacity of ALE members by applying time, space, network, and resources toward research methods in leadership studies pertinent to leadership education. In 2019, the Leadership Studies Research FAN launched the Methods Workshops concept at the ALE Conference, which provides professional development training in research methods to ALE members.
Leadership Studies Research FAN Leaders:
Hannah Sunderman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education
Virginia Tech
hsunderman@vt.edu
Dami Alegbeleye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Leadership & Organizational Studies
University of Southern Maine
Ibukun.alegbeleye@maine.edu
Leadership Coaching and Consulting
Coaching and consulting guide individuals and organizations in unlocking leadership potential and maximizing performance. As leadership evolves rapidly due to technological advancements and generational shifts, the Coaching and Consulting Focus Area Network (FAN) creates a vibrant space where aspiring and experienced leadership educators, graduate students, business leaders, and entrepreneurs come together to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. This FAN is the perfect environment to grow your coaching and consulting expertise, expand your market reach, enhance executive education and personal coaching offerings, and elevate the success of the organizations you serve. Whether you're developing new programs or refining existing ones, this is where thought leadership thrives.
Leadership Coaching and Consulting FAN Leader:
Tony Andenoro, Ph.D.
Director of Community Engagement & Programming
College of Social Work & Criminal Justice
Florida Atlantic University
Founder, Apogee Leaders LLC
tandenoro@fau.edu
Students
The Student FAN is a group for students, moderated by students. Its purpose is to support students interested in leadership education. A newly established FAN, we welcome your ideas for how to begin building our community together. We aim to connect students to one another, to introduce you to mentors outside of your home institution, and to provide valuable resources to support your professional development.
Students FAN Leaders:
Ashlee Sullivan
Doctoral Student
Virginia Tech University
asullivan@vt.edu
Lizzy Kenes
Doctoral Student
University of Nebraska
ekenes2@huskers.unl.edu
