LIVINGSTON — Aliquippa Allen and Dr. Jan Miller were recently selected for the University of West Alabama’s Leadership Development Program, designed to ready potential campus leaders for administrative positions.

“I congratulate both of these outstanding professors on their selection for the Leadership Development Program,” said Dr. David M. Taylor, UWA provost.

“Through first-hand experience in a variety of professional development activities, Ms. Allen and Dr. Miller will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful academic administrators.”

Allen, instructor of management, and Miller, assistant professor of instructional leadership, will spend the semester engaging in administrative responsibilities with a campus mentor. Allen will shadow Dr. Martha Hocutt, online division dean, while Miller is paired with College of Business Dean Ken Tucker.

Throughout the semester, both will commit a minimum of 10 hours per week to administrative responsibilities, including accompanying their mentors to state and regional meetings, attending leadership seminars and University meetings, and completing a project directed by the mentoring administrator.

Allen is a retired Air Force command chief master sergeant, the Air Force’s highest rank for enlistees.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, European Division, and a Webster University master’s in procurement and acquisition.

Allen, who resides in Demopolis, is also pursuing a doctorate in organization and management from Capella University.

Allen says she is both humbled to be selected and eager to learn how each department strategically fits into the University as a whole.

“To be an effective leader, it’s important to have the big picture view of the organization, and this program will provide me with that knowledge,” said Allen, who joined the College of Business in 2008.

“I’m also ready to examine my own leadership style to determine what I do well and how I can improve to better serve our students, community and other stakeholders.”

In addition, as an online learner, Allen says she is pleased to partner with Hocutt and get a behind-the-scenes look at UWA’s successful online program, learning what it takes to obtain and sustain a competitive edge in this market.

A Meridian, Miss., resident, Miller holds UWA bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education.

She also earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a Mississippi State University education specialist degree in early childhood and elementary education. She joined the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education faculty after serving 20 years in Mississippi’s Lauderdale County School District.

Most recently, Miller was principal at Clarkdale Attendance Center.

Though Miller has held many leadership roles, she is excited to now work in the area of leadership at the university level and learn from Tucker, an accomplished mentor.

“I credit this university, which taught me the importance of effective instruction, for my previous successes as a classroom teacher and as an administrator.

“Now the opportunity to be part of this program is, in a small way, my chance to give back to UWA through projects and experiences,” Miller said. “In return, I’ll gain valuable knowledge I can use in the future.”