Jana Kainerstorfer recently completed the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program at Drexel University, an intensive full-year, part-time fellowship program that provides training and development for women faculty and administrators.
“ELATES is a multitude of sessions that all in one way or another go hand-in-hand with academic leadership,” said Kainerstorfer, professor of biomedical engineering. “I learned a lot about myself and what I might want to do in my career moving forward. It really helped me to identify my own strengths.”
The 2024-2025 ELATES class included 47 faculty from 35 institutions across the United States and Canada. Throughout the year, the cohort convened for a series of week-long sessions exploring organizational leadership, finance and resource management, strategic communication, project development, and more. Fellows were organized into peer learning communities and supported by executive coaches. The program also included workshops on critical soft skills such as negotiation, conflict resolution, and personal branding.
“I learned so much about myself, for example, how I approach negotiation and even how to think more strategically about my personal brand,” Kainerstorfer reflected. “One of the most incredible elements was the 360-degree feedback process. It offered a truly eye-opening perspective.”
