The Second Administrative Fellowship Program Alumni Reunion Conference

Seventy-six former fellows attended the Second Administrative Fellowship Program Alumni Reunion Conference held in May 15-17, 2002 at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge. The conference, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant the President, focused on the theme "Giving Back: A New Mindset for the 21st Century." The conference provided former fellows the opportunity to reconnect to the Harvard campus as well as to share and enhance their professional experiences on leadership, mentoring and networking through interactive panel discussions and intensive seminars/lectures provided by distinguished speakers.

The three-day reunion conference kicked off on Wednesday afternoon with a welcoming reception at the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for fellows to meet and reacquaint with their colleagues. On Thursday morning, Provost Hyman opened the conference at The Charles Hotel with remarks that reinforced the value of the Administrative Fellowship Program and the University's commitment to diversity. Following his remarks, Prof. David Thomas of Harvard Business School led a lively case study discussion on effective mentoring.

During lunch, the fellows gathered at the Regatta Bar and were joined by former assistant to the president and founder of the Administrative Fellowship Program, Dr. Ronald Quincy (1987-1991), as the luncheon keynote speaker. James Hoyte, Assistant to the President, presented special awards of appreciation to individuals and/or departments in recognition of their consistent and unswerving support to the Program. The awards were given to James Honan, Lecturer at Graduate School of Education, Joel Monel, Dean for Administration and Academic Services at the Graduate School of Education, Carolyn Everette, Assistant Dean for Human Resources at the School of Public Health, Denis Collet, Assistant Director of Human Resources at the Harvard Business School and Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Director of the Division of Public Health Practice.

The first panel discussion was held that afternoon with former fellows focusing on the effective strategies of networking which was facilitated by Mr. Kenneth Powell, President of the Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association. In the evening, fellows were joined by Dr. Bernand Harleston, former President of City College of New York (CCNY), the keynote speaker for the dinner reception. A highlight of the evening was Dr. Harleston's remarks on his vast and challenging experiences in the field of higher education.

Friday brought two more well attended panel discussions by former fellows and sponsors on the topic of leadership which were facilitated by James Honan of the Graduate School of Education and Milano Harden, a former fellow and consultant to AFP, respectively. To officially conclude the conference, a closing luncheon ceremony was held for the eight fellows selected for the 2001-2002 Administrative Fellowship Program to celebrate their successful completion of the Program. A small group of family, friends and colleagues joined the current fellows as well as the many former fellows who were present in connection with the reunion conference. President Summers was present to award the certificates of completion.

Following the awarding of certificates, the Class of 2002 fellows surprised President Summers by pledging a donation of $5,000 to the Administrative Fellowship Program. He expressed his appreciation to the current fellows and shared his comments on the success of the Program. Special awards were also given to OAP staff.

Since 1988, AFP has brought minority professionals into the Harvard community for a year of work experience in academic administration. The program's goals are to enhance the fellows' administrative and professional skills and clarifying their career objectives. The program is supplemented with seminars, case studies on academic administration presented by senior administrators and faculty at the University.

Participating schools and departments for the 2001-2002 group included: the School of Public Health, the Harvard University Native American Program, the Graduate School of Education, The Principals' Center, the Kennedy School, the Business School, and W.E.B. DuBois Institute for Afro-American Research.

A number of visiting fellows have been offered permanent placement after their fellowship assignment. Other visiting fellows decided to return to their previous employment or to pursue other opportunities outside of Harvard, typically at colleges and universities or other institutions in the non-profit sector.