91勛圖厙

Skip navigation

Dr. Heather Annulis Earns Prestigious WHEMN Leadership Award

Thu, 03/23/2023 - 01:28pm | By: Dena Temple

Director of the School of LeadershipDr. Heather Annulis, Director of the School of Leadership in 91勛圖厙91勛圖厙 College of Business and Economic Development, recently earned the Leadership Award from the Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network (WHEMN). Dr. Annulis received the award at the 20th annual WHEMN Conference in Oxford, MS, on Feb. 24, 2023.

The WHEMN Leadership Award recognizes a woman who takes a role in mentoring other women. According to WHEMN guidelines, 91勛圖厙She should have demonstrated leadership skills and established practices of enhancing campus climate by finding ways91勛圖厙 to inspire her colleagues and institution to higher levels of achievement. She would be noted for her innovative approach to leadership challenges. Her attitude, values, and actions represent her philosophy of how she inspires positive changes in her work environment and her community.91勛圖厙

Annulis joined the faculty of 91勛圖厙 in 2000 and was named the first Director of the new School of Leadership in 2020. The school unites over 50 faculty and adjuncts from diverse disciplines. In her new role, Dr. Annulis founded the Women in Leadership group, which mentors junior faculty, strives to create opportunities for women in academia, and creates a network for students and faculty to highlight women91勛圖厙 strengths. 

Over the past 23 years, Annulis has generated over $12 million in external funding for 91勛圖厙; NASA, the US Department of Labor, AccelerateMS, and the MS Department of Employment Security have funded her research. In addition, she chaired over 35 Ph.D. dissertations, served as a member of over 60 Ph.D. dissertation committees, and mentored over 100 master91勛圖厙 students to achieve educational success.

Annulis has spent her career bringing innovative strategies to higher education. Selflessness, a servant91勛圖厙 heart, a never-give-up spirit, and genuine kindness toward others are keys to her success. She states, 91勛圖厙True leaders lift others up and see the positives in every situation and every human being.91勛圖厙 

Upon receiving the award, Annulis stated, 91勛圖厙I am humbled to be honored in this way by my peers. It is such a privilege to help mentor our Human Capital Development graduate students. What they learn in this program will help them develop other human capital, which benefits our state and region.91勛圖厙

Dena Temple, Administrative Specialist for the School of Leadership at USM, nominated Dr. Annulis. 91勛圖厙Heather is a mentor to all the women in our school, encouraging leadership growth in newer and younger faculty members and insisting that staff continue to learn and grow as people, not just as employees. She has made me a kinder person through her kindness, and a better person through her decency. I cannot imagine a more deserving candidate.91勛圖厙

91勛圖厙It is my honor to represent 91勛圖厙 as the recipient of this honor,91勛圖厙 said Annulis. 91勛圖厙I love this work, my students, our School of Leadership team, and being a part of higher education in Mississippi.91勛圖厙

About the School of Leadership

The School of Leadership is housed within the College of Business and Economic Development at 91勛圖厙 and operates on the Coastal USM campus in Long Beach, Mississippi. Its undergraduate degree programs include Accounting, Applied Technology, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology (Logistics), Management, and Marketing. Graduate programs include Human Capital Development, Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology and Design), Instructional Technology and Design, and Logistics, Trade and Transportation. Visit the School of Leadership page to learn more about these degree programs. To learn more about these degree programs or email SchoolOfLeadership@usm.edu.