Owens attends HERS Leadership Institute

Dr. Debbie Owens, associate professor and former interim chair for the department of journalism and mass communications at Murray State, attended the 2018 Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute.

The two-week intensive institute was held at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. The three-pronged management development program for women in higher education focused on self-knowledge, networking and institutional awareness.

“I am grateful to be afforded this opportunity to participate in the HERS Leadership Institute. I look forward to experiencing activities that will allow me to both enhance my leadership skills and assess my role within the academy,” Owens said. “During my time at the institute, I plan to collaborate with others on projects that I expect to share with my colleagues at Murray State.”

Each year, some 50 to 70 individuals participate in HERS Institutes held at one of three locations: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts or Colorado.

In preparation for the program, Owens was given preliminary assignments, such as conducting interviews with senior officers on campus, and completed reading assignments that focused on various leadership models.

“Much of what I have reviewed lends perspective to challenges that leaders encounter and the strategies they employ to meet those challenges,” Owens said.

Owens joined the faculty at Murray State in August 2002. She has served in a number of leadership positions within the department of journalism and mass communications, including graduate program director, internship coordinator and head of electronic media (now TV production) majors.

Within the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, Owens served on committees for faculty development and graduate programs in addition to chairing the collegiate tenure committee. She has also served on other university committees, including tenure review, community engagement and outreach as well as selection committees for the Breazeale scholarship and the Jesse Stuart and Broughton fellowships.

Owens also expressed her appreciation for the continued support she has received from the administration of the University.

“Dr. Owens’ acceptance to the HERS Institute speaks highly to her leadership here in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business and at Murray State University,” Todd said. “This institute is of the highest quality in the U.S., and the professional development opportunity for Dr. Owens will be very beneficial as she will be immersed in an intensive leadership conference with peers from across the country.”

According to its website, HERS Institute is one of the most comprehensive career development organizations in higher education. Since its establishment in 1976, more than 5,000 women in faculty, staff and administrative positions have further developed their leadership abilities by attending the HERS Institute to address new methods for transforming higher education.