When Tobi Greiff, associate dean for academic affairs in the George Washington University College of Professional Studies, worked with a team to launch GW RevU, a new lifelong learning platform to help users sharpen their professional skills, it was a lot of fun and a lot of work. That experience shaped the project he undertook as a member of the fifth cohort of the GW Academic Leadership Academy (GWALA), in which he focused on partnerships and was guided by nuggets of wisdom from Ernest Hemingway and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Created in 2019 by then-provost Forrest Maltzman and current Provost Christopher A. Bracey, the GWALA program is meant to build leadership capacity from within GW’s ranks. It provides participating faculty and staff an opportunity to network across the university’s schools and units.
After attending a series of meetings throughout the academic year, cohort members sum up what they have learned by writing a blog, creating a poster presentation, or delivering a five-minute address resembling a miniature TED Talk. This year’s cohort attended a graduation ceremony and lunch April 11 in the University Student Center.
“I learned a lot about engaging with partners,” Tobi Greiff said. (Lily Speredelozzi/GW Today)
In speaking to people both inside and outside GW about GW RevU, Greiff did a lot of listening. In his presentation at the graduation ceremony, Greiff said he relied on guidance from LBJ, who noted “You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking,” and from Hemingway, who counseled, “When people talk listen completely. … Most people never listen.”
“I learned a lot about engaging with partners, potential partners,” Greiff told those gathered for the ceremony. “I think the skills that we learned here at GWALA are very, very helpful for that.”
An alumna of the program, Ahdeah Pajoohesh-Ganji, associate professor of anatomy and cell biology in SMHS, was in attendance. A member of GWALA’s fourth cohort, she is one of a handful of previous graduates who returned this year to share insights with successors. Her experience in GWALA, she said, helped her grow as a leader in ways she never expected.
“Through discussion on various topics, including conflict management, emotional intelligence, decision-making and effective communication, I have gained insights that have deepened my understanding of those around me,” Pajoohesh-Ganji said. “Connecting with colleagues across schools is one of the most meaningful aspects of the program, which has broadened my perspective.”
GWALA, she added, “fosters a culture of collaboration, self-reflection and continuous learning, strengthening GW by shaping leaders who support others.”
Another program alumna, Melissa Napolitano, professor and interim chair of the Department of Community Health in Milken Institute SPH, enjoyed interacting with colleagues.
“I was honored to be part of the inaugural cohort of GWALA,” Napolitano said. “It provided me with an opportunity to learn and practice new skills as a leader and interact with incredible colleagues from across the university.”
Provost Christopher A. Bracey told GWALA graduates they are highly qualified leaders. (Lily Speredelozzi/GW Today)
Participation in GWALA provides faculty and staff with a learning experience that can enhance their leadership skills, Bracey said in his welcoming remarks.
“Your participation in this program is a testament to your dedication to becoming even better at what you already do well, by carving out time to meet new people across the university, developing new skills and knowledge and enhancing your roles at the university,” Bracey said.
“We will continue to rely upon strong academic leaders to help set the tone for our community,” Bracey added. “Now, you are those leaders.” Given the quality of the assembled graduates’ skills, he said, GW’s future looks bright.
“Your toolkit is full of new experiences and dependable, lasting relationships across all our schools and colleges, plus several units,” Bracey concluded, “and I know you will continue to distinguish yourselves.”
Candidates for GWALA are selected from nominations submitted in June. Eligible candidates must be full-time employees who have worked at the university for at least one year. Individuals from all academic units across the university are welcome.
In another presentation, Natalia Blinkova, acting Writing Center coordinator and associate professor in the Fundamentals of Lawyering program at GW Law, described how she used her time with GWALA to develop a new set of marketing materials to promote her program.
Natalia Blinkova used her time in GWALA to develop promotional materials for the Fundamentals of Lawyering program. (Lily Speredelozzi/GW Today)
“We have a very limited presence on the law school website. We didn’t have any portable materials,” Blinkova said. She met with various other professionals to develop marketing materials in several formats, from glossy pamphlets describing the faculty and the curriculum to video clips for the website.
Other presentations were made by Gergana Jostova, professor and chair in the Department of Finance in the School of Business; Bibiana Obler, program head and associate professor of art history in the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design; and Eric Schluessel, associate professor of history and international affairs in the Elliott School of International Affairs. Each spoke about how GWALA helped them to better meet organizational challenges.
Additional faculty and staff members of the fifth cohort include Domonic Bearfield of the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration; Jason Belk, assistant dean of students in GW Law; Carla Berg, Milken Institute School of Public Health; Nicole A. Campbell, Elliott School; Cynthia Core, CCAS; Jennifer Donaghue, assistant provost for international education; Grace Henry, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion in SMHS; Tamara Henry, Milken Institute SPH; Cameron Hogg, School of Nursing; Carly Jordan, CCAS; Ioannis Koutroulis, SMHS; Tian Lan, SEAS; Peter Loge, SMPA; Suleiman Osman, CCAS; Allison Sylvetsky, Milken Institute SPH; Anna Vakulick, Libraries and Academic Innovation; Huixia Judy Wang, CCAS; Ryan Watkins, GSEHD; Erin Wentzell, SMHS; and Erica Wortham, SEAS.
Jennifer Abbruzzese, director of administration in the office of the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, served as emcee for the event.
