The Dr. Peter D. Englin Student Affairs Leadership Institute is named after Pete Englin, who served Iowa State University from 1989 to 2023 and served in a variety of leadership roles in the Division of Student Affairs. These included roles in the Department of Residence for ten years, Dean of Students Office with five years as the Dean, and then returned back to the Department of Residence in 2005 as Director of Residence, and named Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Director of Residence in 2017. Pete was a champion for the Student Affairs Leadership Institute and was a long-time facilitator of the program before his retirement in 2023. 

The Institute was created to support Division of Student Affairs efforts centered on creating local professional and personal development opportunities for staff early to mid-career in student affairs or newer to the division. Annual participation will be limited to 20-persons and includes an interactive monthly meeting that includes content experts, small-group dialogue sessions, presentations, readings, and case studies.

Institute objectives

To create space and opportunity for Division of Student Affairs staff members to:

  • Engage in critical thought and reflection around leadership
  • Process the individual, cultural, and institutional elements related to student affairs work
  • Create connections among student affairs colleagues that enhances learning and career development 
  • Have an opportunity to process campus and national issues with colleagues

Participants are required to:

  • Attend all sessions
  • Engage in the Institute’s large and small-group dialogues and reflections
  • Develop your own network through interactions with professionals from student affairs and across the ISU community
  • Participate in dialogic practice (e.g., read an article or theory, come together for a discussion, share how leadership is taking place in your sphere of influence, and reinforce community values
  • Discuss the value of your experience with your supervisor and/or department/unit leadership and ways to use them in your role
  • Serve as a listed Institute participant for staff interested in joining future cohorts

Benefits

  • Develop your critical reflection and dialogic skills while cultivating meaningful professional relationships with SALI members before, during, and after the Institute
  • Build your personalized professional development and personal growth prior to, during, and following the Institute
  • Engage in a supportive network of professionals from student affairs
  • Receive recognition of Institute membership at the Division of Student Affairs annual awards meeting

Sessions are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with lunch included.
Institute Dates: 

  • September 28
  • October 26
  • November 30
  • December 14 
  • January 18 
  • February 29 
  • March 28
  • April 18
  • April 30 (Division of Student Affairs Annual Awards Ceremony)

Application Process

Applicants for the current year must complete the Qualtrics application form, after confirming with their supervisor they have support to participate in the program. 

Applications must be submitted electronically by September 8. Applicants will be notified of their selection status no later than September 13.


“The Student Affairs Leadership Institute gave me the opportunity to create connections with other leaders within the Division who I would have not otherwise met. The Institute provided us a safe space to engage in thought provoking, challenging conversations leading to increased understanding and changed perspectives. I feel like I have become a better leader for my students, my staff, and my department after completing the Student Affairs Leadership Institute. I highly encourage any staff who are new to the Division to take advantage of this experience.”

“I am more confident and knowledgeable about the Division of Student Affairs and feel more connected to other departments. I have not followed the traditional higher-ed track and this experience gave me the tools to reach out to appropriate departments and know which channels to connect."

A headshot of Pete Engling wearing a red Iowa State zip up

Dr. Pete Englin