FSU Executive Director for Adult Learners, Transfer and Military Students Selected for AASCU’s Esteemed 2024 Emerging Leader Program

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (July 1, 2024) – A Fayetteville State University staff member was selected to The American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU) esteemed Emerging Leader Program (ELP), a leadership program designed to prepare academic and administrative professionals who are exploring opportunities to advance to higher-level administrative positions.

The AASCU announced Cierra Griffin, Ed.D., executive director for adult learners, transfer and military students will join 34 outstanding higher education professionals to participate in the latest ELP cohort. Since it launched in 2015, ELP has provided participants with the skills, connections, and support needed to transition into higher-level roles in the academe and successfully handle increased responsibility and oversight.

“Being recommended and selected for the AASCU's Emerging Leaders Program means that my leadership not only recognizes my hard work and dedication to this FSU and our students, but they also want to help me enhance my skill set,” said Griffin. “I am a lifelong learner and I'm always one who seeks ways to improve personally and professionally; I’m humbled by and excited for this opportunity.”

The 2024 ELP cohort will meet in Washington, D.C., from June 24–26. For the remainder of the six-month program, members will participate in interactive virtual During these sessions, they will discuss topics ranging from modern-day leadership challenges to best practices for an executive search.

In addition to learning from the robust in-person and online curriculum, ELP cohort members will take the lead in a on their home campuses, with the aim of increasing retention, belonging, student success, and stewardship of place, among others. Under the guidance of an on-campus sponsor and project advisor participants sharpen their managerial and leadership skills through activities like heading a project for a division or conducting research on a challenge their campus faces to construct data-driven solutions.

There is also a strong relational component in ELP, which encourages deeper peer-to-peer learning. As a result, members form and nurture bonds with each other and their sponsors and advisors, as they share an environment based on safety, support, and trust.

“Once again, AASCU is providing a group of aspiring higher education leaders with an invaluable learning experience to help them grow into their future roles in higher education administration,” said Kristin G. Esterberg, chancellor at the University of Washington Bothell and ELP executive sponsor. “I look forward to working with this diverse cohort during the coming months as they prepare to navigate the challenges administrators face today.”

The full 2024 ELP cohort can be viewed here.