By Richard LeComte 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jennifer Cramer, professor of linguistics in the University of Kentucky’s College of Arts and Sciences, is participating in the nationwide 2023-24 Weekend HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) Leadership Institute for emerging leaders in higher education. She is among 63 higher education leaders chosen for the program. 

The HERS Leadership Institute is designed for faculty and staff who generally hold mid- to senior-level positions in higher education.  

Participants represent a range of racial and ethnic groups, gender identities, nationalities, veteran and disability statuses, religious affiliations, ages and years of experience in higher education, thereby broadening the range of perspectives and insights brought to each session. 

 "The goal of the HERS Leadership Institute is to transform and develop dynamic leaders in higher education, with an eye toward building more inclusive and equitable visions of what leadership can be," Cramer said. “Each participant explores how they can contribute to the missions of their home institutions by developing and implementing an equity-minded leadership plan in an area of need. I will be working with my dean's office to explore ways of elevating the status of the humanities at UK." 

The program administrators ask participants to share their vision of leadership and what they hope to contribute to their respective institutions and are then challenged to develop the skills to actualize their professional vision.  

Higher Education Resource Services is dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse community of women through leadership and career development. Founded in 1972, it has supported the career advancement of more than 7,000 women from more than 1,200 institutions across the United States and around the world.