CANR leaders participate in APLU food systems institute

Titus Awokuse and Gretchen Neisler are the newest graduate and participant, respectively, of an Association of Public and Land-grand Universities (APLU) leadership program that focuses on food systems.

Titus Awokuse (center) at FLSI recognition ceremony

Titus Awokuse and Gretchen Neisler are the newest graduate and participant, respectively, of an Association of Public and Land-grand Universities (APLU) leadership program that focuses on food systems.

Awokuse, chair of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, was one of 27 fellows of the Food Systems Leadership Institute (FLSI) honored during a ceremony of the APLU in Indianapolis.

Awokuse, and the other fellows, were recognized for their accomplishments in completing the FLSI executive leadership development program and for contributions they have made to their individual organizations and the broader higher education and food systems. 

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Neisler, director of the Center for Global Connections, was accepted into the FLSI executive leadership program. During the program, scholars work with expert instructors, leadership development coaches and an upper level mentor to increase their leadership abilities.

They meet with leaders of universities, political leaders, industry leaders and others who have advanced to the highest level of leadership. Leadership theory is combined with practical experience, often in the context of food systems and higher education. 

The FLSI is a two-year program. Year one includes intensive executive education-style residential learning sessions at three university locations where scholars perform assessments to increase their self-awareness of their leadership style. During year two, participants work, applying what they have learned, to develop and carry out an individual leadership project.

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