DETROIT — Ratna Naik, Ph.D., chair and professor of physics and astronomy in Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been selected as a fellow for the 2013-14 Executive Leadership in Academic Technology & Engineering (ELATE at Drexel®) program. ELATE is a collaborative project of Drexel University and Drexel University College of Medicine.

Naik joins 18 other experienced and diverse women faculty in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The fellows come from a range of universities and colleges across the nation, many with global experience. Nearly half of the fellows have leadership experience as directors, department chairs and associate deans. Each was nominated by her dean or provost and will contribute to institutional initiatives applying skills learned in the program.

"I am delighted and honored to have been selected as a fellow for this prestigious program and am thankful for this opportunity to enhance my leadership skills," said Naik.

Naik's fellowship year will conclude with the completion of an Institutional Action Project developed in collaboration with Wayne Raskind, Ph.D., dean of WSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The action projects are aimed at addressing an institutional priority that will increase the fellows' understanding of the challenges facing their respective institutions and the skills a leader must possess to address these challenges.

ELATE focuses on increasing personal and professional leadership effectiveness, and leading and managing change initiatives within the fellows' respective institutions. Fellows use strategic finance and resource management to enhance the missions of their organizations. Participants will work with leaders in the fields of STEM research and leadership development. The curriculum includes in-residence sessions and activities, online modules and discussion, and on-the-job application at each fellow's home institution.

"We are extremely excited to launch a new year of the ELATE program and are very pleased with the response of university leaders who support the time and costs of this very intensive work of leadership," said Diane Magrane, executive director of Drexel's International Center for Executive Leadership in Academics and ELATE fellowship director. "Most importantly, the deans and provosts have committed to mentoring the fellows and opening doors at the highest levels of leadership in their organizations. This response bodes well for the future of academic STEM leadership."

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Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research institutions in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://www.research.wayne.edu.