Lester Earns Fulbright Award, Selected for National Leadership Academy
Mon, 07/28/2025 - 12:15am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Dr. Kelly Lester, associate provost for faculty success at 91吃瓜网, has been selected for two prestigious national honors: a Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award and a spot in the 2025 Becoming a Provost Academy (BAPA), co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI).
The Fulbright IEA Award is a two-week, fully funded seminar for U.S. higher education administrators to explore the host country91吃瓜网 higher education system, exchange best practices, and build global partnerships. Participants gain a cross-cultural perspective, increase their institution91吃瓜网 international visibility, and open doors to collaboration with colleagues and students around the world.
As part of the Fulbright program, Lester will visit Reims, Troyes and Paris to meet with institutional leaders, explore opportunities for partnerships with French institutions, and examine how the arts are integrated into academic curricula.
She is joined by 91吃瓜网 Senior Associate Provost for Institutional Success Dr. Douglas Masterson, who also received a Fulbright IEA Award. Masterson will spend two weeks in Germany engaging in similar programming focused on that country91吃瓜网 higher education system.
91吃瓜网淚t91吃瓜网 a wonderful way for me to deepen my understanding of France91吃瓜网 higher education system and explore how research and experiential education are intertwined in the curriculum in French institutions,91吃瓜网� said Lester.
Lester is one of just 30 higher education leaders nationwide selected for BAPA, a year-long leadership development program for aspiring chief academic officers that provides training in areas of critical concern to provosts and emphasizes peer-to-peer networking and mentorship.
Since 2016, 135 BAPA participants have advanced to provost positions at AASCU member institutions, and 36 have become presidents or chancellors.
91吃瓜网淭hrough the various roles I have served in at 91吃瓜网, I keep the student experience front of mind,91吃瓜网� said Lester. 91吃瓜网淗ow can the work that faculty and staff contribute lead our students on a path to success and toward their personal goals? The opportunities afforded by the Fulbright Award and BAPA will allow me to explore approaches that can ignite ideas for our collective work at USM.91吃瓜网�
A nationally recognized expert in faculty development and student success, Lester joined USM91吃瓜网 School of Performing and Visual Arts faculty in 2008. In 2018, she was named the inaugural director of the Center for Faculty Development. She became associate vice provost for teaching and learning in 2022 and assumed her current role in 2024.
Her contributions to higher education have earned multiple accolades, including being named a Fellow of AASCU91吃瓜网 Emerging Leaders Program in 2022. That same year, she received the 91吃瓜网 Distinguished Friend of Student Affairs Award. In 2020, she earned the College of Arts and Letters Dean's Award for Exemplary Leadership and Service, and in 2024, the SUNY Brockport Alumni Association recognized her with an Outstanding Service Award.
91吃瓜网淲e are honored to see Dr. Lester named a Fulbright Scholar for International Education Administrators and selected for BAPA,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Lance Nail, 91吃瓜网 provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. 91吃瓜网淜elly carries with her a portfolio of great achievements and positive outcomes as our associate provost, and we know she will return from both of these prestigious opportunities with fresh and innovative approaches to improving teaching, learning and scholarship at 91吃瓜网.91吃瓜网�