Editor’s note: This article written by Computing Research Association (CRA) Communications Director Matt Hazenbush was published today in the March 2025 issue of Computing Research News. Thanks to CRA for allowing the College of Computing to share the story.
On February 20-21, 2025, the Computing Research Association (CRA) hosted the 2025 CRA Leadership Academy at the Westin City Center in Washington, D.C. The event gathered a cohort of newly promoted or soon-to-be-promoted full professors from computing programs across North America for an intensive workshop designed to cultivate essential leadership skills and foster peer connections.
Exploring Leadership Opportunities
The workshop opened with a welcoming session led by program co-chairs Dennis Livesay (Michigan Technological University) and Manuel Pérez-Quiñones (University of North Carolina at Charlotte), who set the stage by encouraging participants to reflect on their personal leadership goals and the broader impact leaders have within academia and beyond.
A fireside chat featuring Jamie Payton (New Jersey Institute of Technology) explored the motivations behind pursuing leadership roles. This engaging dialogue emphasized leadership as both a responsibility and an opportunity for positive change in academia and research communities.
Essential Qualities and Paths to Leadership
Alex Wolf (University of California, Santa Cruz) and Divesh Srivastava (AT&T) headlined a panel discussion examining the many attributes that characterize effective leaders in academia, industry, and professional societies. Moderated by Rachel Pottinger (University of British Columbia), the conversation provided participants with practical insights into various leadership roles, allowing attendees to consider paths that align with their individual strengths and
aspirations.
Inclusive Leadership Perspectives
An interactive session, organized by Stephanie Ludi (University of North Texas) and moderated by Bruce Childers (University of Pittsburgh), emphasized the multitude of leadership paths and roles, challenging participants to recognize their leadership potential regardless of formal titles or positions.
Through small group discussions and guided exercises, attendees reflected on their personal leadership styles, identifying both strengths and areas for growth.
Navigating the Leadership Search Process
A special session featuring Karen McPhedran and Vijay Saraswat from the search firm Isaacson, Miller, alongside CRA Executive Director and CEO Tracy Camp, provided attendees with an inside look at the leadership recruitment process.
Moderated by Dennis Livesay, this session demystified how search firms operate, the roles and expectations of search committees, and provided valuable strategies for participants preparing for leadership roles within academia or research-focused nonprofits.
Building Empathy and Managing Conflict
Nigamanth Sridhar (Cleveland State University) shared insights in a powerful session on empathetic leadership. Drawing from his experiences managing institutional change, Sridhar highlighted strategies for approaching conflicts and difficult situations with empathy and thoughtful communication, reinforcing the critical role empathy plays in effective leadership.
360-Degree Leadership and Management
A fireside chat with Dennis Livesay emphasized the multi-dimensional nature of leadership, highlighting techniques for managing relationships and expectations vertically (with supervisors), horizontally (with peers), and downward (with team members).
Participants learned the importance of adapting their leadership style based on organizational context and relationship dynamics.
Closing Reflections
The CRA Leadership Academy concluded with a final fireside chat featuring Bruce Childers, which synthesized key insights from the workshop sessions. This reflective session encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills and perspectives to their ongoing professional development and future leadership roles.
Recognizing Participants and Continuing Development
Participants who completed the CRA Leadership Academy received a digital credential recognizing their commitment to advancing their leadership skills. To build on the momentum from the in-person event, CRA will host virtual cohort webinars for Leadership Academy participants throughout spring and early summer 2025, providing ongoing opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and peer support.
The 2025 CRA Leadership Academy was organized by a dedicated program committee including co-chairs Dennis Livesay and Manuel Pérez-Quiñones, as well as Bruce Childers, Kinnis Gosha, Jim Kurose, Stephanie Ludi, Dimitrios Nikolopoulos, and Rachel Pottinger. CRA extends its gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers for contributing to a successful and inspiring event designed to empower the next generation of academic leaders in computing.
About the College of Computing
The Michigan Tech College of Computing, established in 2019, is the first academic unit in Michigan dedicated solely to computing, and one of only a handful such academic units in the United States. The college is composed of two academic departments. The Computer Science department offers four bachelor of science programs in computer science, cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering; four master of science programs in applied computer science, computer science, cybersecurity, and data science; and a doctoral program in computer science. The Applied Computing department offers four bachelor of science programs in cybersecurity, electrical engineering technology, information technology, and mechatronics; and two master of science programs in health informatics and mechatronics. The college also helps to administer an interdisciplinary doctoral program in computational science and engineering.
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