As fellows, Pamela Bhatti and Anna Erickson will participate in a yearlong program designed to elevate their leadership, project management, and communication skills.
From left, Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Pamela Bhatti, and Anna Erickson, at the first meeting of the 2022-23 cohort of ELATES Fellows at Drexel University. Bhatti and Erickson are two of the 30 new fellows; Kalaitzidou was a member of the 2018-19 cohort. (Photo Courtesy: Pamela Bhatti)
Two of the 30 new fellows in a national leadership program for women in scientific fields are members of the Georgia Tech College of Engineering faculty.
Pamela Bhatti is a professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE); Anna Erickson is a Woodruff Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Both also serve as associate chairs in their Schools. They’ll spend the next year in an intensive program of personal and leadership development through the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program at Drexel University.
The ELATES program annually selects women in science, technology, engineering, and math to focus on elevating their effectiveness as leaders. Each of the 30 faculty members from higher education institutions in the U.S. and Canada already have significant administrative experience. Through the program, they’ll work to improve their ability to lead change initiatives within complex institutions and strategically manage resources in service of their organization’s mission.
“I am humbled and so excited to be part of this incredible cohort of women leaders in STEM,” said Erickson, who also is associate chair of research in the Woodruff School. “The first week of ELATES was intense and fulfilling, and I am looking forward to continuing this experience. I am thankful Georgia Tech leadership nominated me for this opportunity.”
Erickson’s research focuses on bridging a critical gap between reactor engineering and nuclear nonproliferation communities by integrating theoretical reactor analysis and design and experimental detection. Bhatti is an expert in in translational engineering in health and medicine and co-founded a medical startup company.
“I am thrilled for the boost to my leadership capabilities that this opportunity provides, while engaging with a powerful and impressive cohort of ELATES Fellows, instructors, and allies,” said Bhatti, also associate chair of strategic initiatives and innovation in ECE. “I heartily thank Georgia Tech leadership for this opportunity.”
Erickson and Bhatti will engage in a mix of in-person and virtual discussions, professional and peer coaching, and 360-degree evaluations. They’ll also travel to Philadelphia for three, week-long sessions on higher education business practices, project management, and communication skills.
Previous College of Engineering participants in the ELATES program include the Woodruff School’s Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb and Kyriaki Kalaitzidou and ECE’s Alenka Zajic.