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Two William Paterson University faculty members—Valeriya Avdeev, professor and chair of the Department of Accounting and Law, and David Hack, associate professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology—have been selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to participate in the next cohort of its Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI).
Designed for department chairs at regional public universities, DCLI supports leaders who aspire to be dynamic, strategic, and empathetic institutional citizens. Participants gain a national perspective on the vital role chairs play in advancing their institution’s mission, delivering value, and ensuring student success.
They are two of 38 faculty selected for the semester-long program that began with two days of intensive professional development in Washington, DC focused on the evolving leadership competencies needed in today’s complex higher education environment. The program emphasizes skill-building, peer learning, and developing a strong and supportive network of colleagues.
DCLI sessions will explore topics including leading a department in alignment with an institution’s mission and strategic plan, growing and sustaining a future-focused department, navigating difficult conversations, resource management, principles of supervision, maintaining relevance amid changes in higher education, and wellness for leaders.
Avdeev, who joined the William Paterson faculty in 2010, is the author of numerous scholarly articles, conference proceedings, and presentations, including articles published in the Duquesne Business Law Journal, Review of Business and Finance Studies, The CPA Journal, International Journal of Business and Social Science, International Journal of Business Humanities and Technology, and the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. Prior to joining William Paterson, she was worked for Deloitte Lead Tax Services group, where her responsibilities included corporate, partnership and high net worth individual compliance. Avdeev, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College, earned a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law and a master of laws degree in taxation from New York Law School
Hack joined the University in 2016 and teaches courses in sport administration and management. His research, which focuses on motivations for interaction with sport, experiential learning within sport management curriculums, and corporate sponsorship of amateur sporting properties, has been published in numerous scholarly articles and presentations. Hack also has significant experience coaching college baseball and serving in various roles related to intercollegiate athletics administration. He serves as the University’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and as co-chair of WP’s Chairs Council. Hack has developed courses at William Paterson which have allowed students to engage in experiential learning at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, the New York City Marathon, and the Super Bowl.
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.
