About the Leadership Institute

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute is a collaborative, cross-institutional center dedicated to advancing academic leadership across the Alliance’s member universities. Guided by the Vice Provosts for Faculty Affairs, who collectively provide strategic direction, the Institute is grounded in shared academic priorities and the realities of leadership within large research universities. Its work reflects a collective commitment to strengthening leadership capacity and fostering collaboration at scale.

The Leadership Institute supports leadership development across the academic career trajectory – from emerging leaders to department heads and deans – through a flexible portfolio of programs designed to meet the evolving challenges of higher education. Across all offerings, participants engage with real-world leadership issues, learn alongside peers from a wide range of institutions, and build lasting professional networks. Widely recognized as a national model, the Institute’s approach is sought by universities, higher-education athletic conferences, and consortia as a benchmark for effective academic leadership development.

BTAA Leadership Institute Staff

Charity Farber has been with the Big Ten Academic Alliance since 2008, steadily deepening her commitment to academic collaboration and leadership development through a variety of roles. She now leads the organization's Leadership Institute, where she oversees the strategic design, delivery, and facilitation of programs that prepare faculty for leadership positions and strengthen collaboration across member institutions. In addition, she facilitates the work of the Vice Provosts for Faculty Affairs, coordinating cross-institutional dialogue on key issues, while supporting the exchange of best practices and enhancing leadership structures across the Alliance.

✉ Charity Faber | Director | charity.farber@btaa.org

Laney Staehlin joined the Big Ten Academic Alliance in 2025 as the Program Manager for the Leadership Institute. She leads the Department Executive Officers (DEO) program, overseeing its planning and execution to support leadership development across the consortium. Laney also serves as the primary liaison for program participants and host universities, ensuring clear communication and a seamless experience across all Leadership Institute initiatives. She manages a broad range of logistics to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of programs and events. In addition, Laney contributes to the strategic planning and ongoing refinement of program content in collaboration with the Director and campus partners.

✉ Laney Staehlin | Program Manager | laney.staehlin@btaa.org

Lacy Millsap joined the Big Ten Academic Alliance in May 2025, providing essential support to both the Leadership Institute Team and the Libraries Team by coordinating logistical arrangements for conferences, retreats, and other events. Her responsibilities include negotiating and managing contracts for catering, meeting spaces, and lodging. Beyond event coordination, she handles a wide range of administrative duties critical to daily operations, such as scheduling meetings, managing event registration data, preparing detailed meeting materials, and serving as the primary liaison to administrative staff supporting key stakeholders.

✉ Lacy Millsap | Office Support Associate | lacy.millsap@btaa.org

Frank Guan joined the Big Ten Academic Alliance in 2022. Frank provides comprehensive technological and logistical support to the Leadership Institute Team, managing event websites, registrations, and Zoom events to ensure seamless execution of both virtual and in-person programs. Beyond events, he also supports collaboration sites and manages stakeholder access, facilitating smooth communication and resource sharing. Additionally, Frank oversees data management for the Leadership Institute and Programs Teams.

✉ Frank Guan | Program Assistant | frank.guan@btaa.org