UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Academic Leadership Program (ALP) in 2026-27 will include five new fellows from Penn State.
The BTAA is the academic consortium of the Big Ten universities and the United States’ pre-eminent model for effective collaboration among research universities.
The ALP focuses on addressing the challenges of academic administration at major research universities. Through the program, participants who have demonstrated exceptional ability and administrative promise can further develop their leadership and managerial skills. Fellows are appointed to one-year terms, and funding is provided by the participating institutions.
Penn State’s participants for the 2026-27 program were selected based on their significant contributions and further potential for university leadership.
The 2026-27 Academic Leadership Program Fellows are:
- Christyne Berzsenyi, professor of English and program coordinator for the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Multidisciplinary Studies program, Penn State Wilkes-Barre
- Lisa D. Iulo, professor of architecture and director, Hamer Center for Community Design, Stuckeman School, College of Arts and Architecture
- Berend Mets, past chair and professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, 2026-27 senate chair-elect, College of Medicine
- Elizabeth Prosek, professor of education and professor-in-charge, counselor education, College of Education
- Nicole Webster, professor of recreation, park, and tourism management and associate dean of Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College of Health and Human Development