AASCU selects JMU's Afzal Upal for Emerging Leaders Cohort

Afzal Upal, associate dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE), has been selected as one of 45 higher education professionals nationwide for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' Emerging Leaders Program. The yearlong program is designed to prepare academic leaders for expanded responsibilities in higher education administration and institutional leadership.

"I see leadership as something you should continually work on, rather than something you're born with," Upal said. "I have had the opportunity to lead departments, academic programs, research organizations and interdisciplinary initiatives, but moving into broader college-wide leadership requires a different perspective and a different set of skills."

Upal, who joined JMU in 2023, recently discussed what the selection means to him, how the experience will strengthen his ability to serve the university, and the opportunities and insights he has gained during his time at JMU.

Q: You have held leadership roles in academia, government and industry. How has your experience at JMU compared with your experience at other institutions and organizations?

A: One of the things that has really stood out to me about JMU is how deeply student-focused the university is. I have worked in government, industry and at several universities, and every organization has its own strengths and culture. At JMU, however, I have been struck by how consistently conversations come back to the question, “What is best for our students?” That has been particularly meaningful to me because I have always viewed education as fundamentally about creating opportunities for students.

Q: Do you continue to teach in addition to your administrative responsibilities?

A: Yes, I’m fortunate to be able to continue to teach courses in artificial intelligence and agent-based modeling and simulation. For me, staying in the classroom is important because it keeps me connected to the reason universities exist in the first place: our students. Administrative work can sometimes become very focused on programs, budgets, policies and organizational issues. Teaching gives me the opportunity to step back and see the university from a student's perspective. It also reminds me that some of our most important work is helping students discover that they are capable of doing things they may never have imagined they could do.

Q: What motivated you to apply for the AASCU Emerging Leaders Program?

A: The AASCU Emerging Leaders Program offered an opportunity to learn from experienced higher education leaders, understand how other institutions are addressing similar challenges, and reflect on the kind of leader I want to become. I was particularly interested in learning from leaders at public universities because many of the challenges we face — access, affordability, student success, workforce needs, research growth and AI — are shared across institutions.

Q: What do you hope to gain from the Emerging Leaders Program, and how do you expect it will help you serve JMU?

A: I hope to develop a broader understanding of university leadership. Universities are facing a period of tremendous change, particularly because of artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure to demonstrate the value of higher education. I think we will learn a great deal from sharing what is working, and what isn't working, at different institutions. Ultimately, I want to bring those insights back to JMU. If I can become a better leader, a better listener and a better problem-solver, then that benefits the people and programs I have the privilege of serving.

Q: How will your participation in the program benefit CISE and the university as a whole?

A: CISE is at an interesting point in its history as a college. We are well known for our student focus and for our unique approach to teaching science and engineering in an integrated way, with an emphasis on understanding the whole system and keeping the end user in mind. At the same time, we have an opportunity to build on those strengths as we help JMU prepare to meet President Schmidt’s strategic vision outlined in The Madison Promise.

The leadership skills I am developing through the Emerging Leaders Program will be valuable as CISE navigates the changes and opportunities ahead. I want to bring back new perspectives on how we can grow and evolve while preserving the qualities that make CISE distinctive.

Just as importantly, the program gives me an opportunity to build a network beyond JMU. I hope to develop relationships with other emerging leaders that can lead to collaborations, new ideas and new opportunities for our students and faculty. I see that broader perspective and network as an important part of how I can contribute not only to CISE, but to JMU as a whole.

One thing I have appreciated about both the program and my experience at JMU is the reminder that leadership is fundamentally about people. Titles and organizational charts matter, but ultimately leadership is about helping other people succeed.

About the Emerging Leaders Program

For more than a decade, ELP has supported the development of mid-senior career higher education professionals by equipping them with the skills and perspective needed to take on expanded leadership responsibilities. Participants explore key topics, including strategic communication, project management, organizational change, and the development of a personal leadership approach.

Each cohort member undertakes a campus-based project or initiative, working closely with a mentor and receiving guidance from an adviser. Through both structured and informal opportunities to learn from one another, the group will build relationships with mentors, faculty, and members of the broader AASCU network.