Quentin Tyler, assistant dean and director of diversity for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment recently was accepted for the 2016-2018 Food Systems Leadership Institute, an executive leadership development program for academia, industry and government.

The FSLI enhances personal and professional development by emphasizing leadership competencies, skills for organizational change and a broad, interdisciplinary perspective of food systems. The experience prepares scholars for upper-level leadership roles in food system programs, and for broader leadership responsibilities within their organizations.

During the FSLI program, scholars work with expert instructors, leadership development coaches and an upper level mentor to help increase their leadership abilities. They meet with leaders of universities, political leaders, industry leaders and others who have advanced to the highest levels of leadership. Leadership theory is combined with practical experience, often in the context of food systems and higher education.

The FSLI is a two-year program. Tyler began his cohort in the fall of 2016. Year one includes intensive executive education-style residential learning sessions at three university locations. Scholars perform assessments to increase their self-awareness of their leadership style, and the results are used to develop and implement a personal development plan, prepared with the assistance of a professional coach.  Interactive distance learning is used between residential sessions. During year two, participants apply what they have learned to develop and carry out an individual leadership project.

Additional information is available at http://www.fsli.org.