NW Missouri Times

Dr. Rachel Day, a first-year chair at Northwest Missouri State University, has been selected to participate in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI). This program is designed to help higher education professionals develop essential skills for administrative roles.

In January, AASCU convened department chairs from across the nation in Washington, D.C., for two days of training and skill-building as part of its third DCLI. Participants engaged with experienced college and university presidents, provosts, and national thought leaders on topics such as centering the academic mission, supporting student success, and enhancing leadership communication.

Day expressed enthusiasm about continuing virtual sessions throughout the spring semester. She looks forward to discussions focused on aligning actions with her university's mission, vision, and values. "I really do like to draw threads together and connect – like ‘OK, I don’t have that answer, but let me get you in touch with this person,’” Day said. “I hope that’s going to serve me well as department chair.”

Day joined Northwest's faculty in 2022 after over a decade of teaching at Grand Canyon University. She holds a doctoral degree in vocal performance with a pedagogy emphasis from Arizona State University and bachelor's degree in music from Smith College.

“The fine arts department just really accepted who I am and what I do as a pedagogue – really trying to stay at the front of pedagogy and neuroscience,” Day noted.

Her participation follows that of previous Northwest chairs who were part of the first cohort last year. Charles L. Welch, AASCU’s president and CEO stated: “We know the department chair position is one of the most challenging positions on campus... With each new DCLI cohort, we are providing these frontline campus leaders with peer support...to strengthen their leadership acumen.”

AASCU represents over 500 regional public colleges and universities dedicated to research that advances economic progress.