Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman Selected for HERS Leadership Institute
Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, a faculty member at Arkansas Tech University, has been chosen to participate in the 2026 Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Institute.
Currently serving as a sociology professor and the director of the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach, Dr. Mikles-Schluterman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas Tech. She also holds a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee.
Since joining the ATU faculty in 2007, Dr. Mikles-Schluterman has been actively involved in a statewide project that secured an impressive $8 million grant from the National Science Foundation. This funding will support the development of the Arkansas Nexus for Excellence in Technology, Workforce, Outreach, and Research Knowledge (AR-NETWORK).
The HERS Leadership Institute, which has been in operation since 1972, aims to cultivate strong leaders in higher education. According to HERS, the program seeks to fill leadership roles across the U.S. with inspiring and effective professionals.
The upcoming HERS Leadership Institute will take place from July 14 to 23, 2026, at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Reflecting on her selection, Dr. Mikles-Schluterman expressed her hopes for the experience. “I aim to enhance my skills as a collaborative leader at Arkansas Tech,” she said. “Through my work with the Center for Community Engagement and the AR-NETWORK initiative, I strive to strengthen connections between our university, industry partners, and community groups. Participating in HERS will help me build the necessary leadership skills to foster sustainable partnerships and drive positive changes in higher education in Arkansas.”
