Dr. Shelly Daily, department head and professor in the Arkansas Tech University Department of Nursing, is one of 34 higher education leaders selected to participate in the fourth cohort of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI).
Daily earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at ATU. She completed the Master of Nursing Science degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of South Alabama.
A member of the ATU faculty since 2000, Daily was promoted to associate professor in 2010 and professor in 2018. She became head of the ATU Department of Nursing in 2020 and completed the Leadership Tech program in 2021.
According to information provided by AASCU, the DCLI program is “designed to address the unique needs of department chairs and help these front-line campus leaders develop the skills they need to succeed in advancing their institution’s mission and ensuring student success.”
The cohort began the program with two days of skills building and intensive professional development in Washington, D.C. Participants will continue to meet virtually throughout the fall 2025 semester.
“DCLI participants will engage in discussions that address the common challenges department chairs face,” reads a portion of a statement from AASCU. “Topics include strategic communications, navigating difficult conversations, centering the academic mission, student success, situational leadership and wellness for leaders. The program also emphasizes building a strong and supportive network of colleagues through peer leadership exercises.”
The AASCU DCLI was founded in 2024.
“We are honored to welcome the newest DCLI cohort,” said Dr. Charles L. Welch, AASCU president and chief executive officer. “This will be a transformational experience that equips them with the critical skills and supportive network needed to lead in today’s complex higher ed environment.”
This program is made possible with support from Academic Search. Richard Helldobler, president of William Paterson University (N.J.), is the institute’s executive sponsor and lead faculty member.
