Lastinger-affiliated faculty member
graduates from national leadership institute

UF Lastinger-affiliated faculty member Thomasenia Adams recently graduated from a national leadership institute for women professors and administrators.

Adams attended the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Institute for Women in Higher Education at the University of Denver along with 54 other participants from 45 institutions nationwide.

“We’re extremely proud of Dr. Adams,” Lastinger Director Don Pemberton said. “She’s a national leader in her field [mathematics education]. It’s great to see her being recognized around campus and the country and being given the chance to enhance her leadership skills.”

The UF Office of Academic Affairs, College of Education and School of Teaching and Learning sponsored Adams’ participation in this prestigious institute (www.hersnet.org), which focused on “Women’s Leadership in Times of Crisis: Leveraging Our Responses for Institutional Renewal.”

“There are many highlights from the HERS Institute, but two in particular hold meaning for me: First, in the midst of all of the esteemed women in leadership who spoke to the participants was a four-star general in the Navy. She solidified the message that focus is essential for success,” Adams said. “Second, the institute provided me with set-aside time to map out my career path before colleagues who could give me objective, on-the-spot feedback. This was invaluable.”

Adams, who earned a promotion to full professor at UF in 2008, recently received funding from the National Science Foundation. She is a coauthor of a state and national mathematics series and plays a key role in Lastinger’s Florida Master Teacher Initiative and STEM efforts.

“After participating in the HERS Institute,” Adams said, “I can say that I know more about myself
professionally – my goals, my strengths, and ways of continuously improving my leadership skills.”