Professional and Leadership Development

Institutional resilience increases in direct relationship to the effectiveness of the organization in building a culture of learning. This learning involves best practices in growing the skills of its staff and leaders while also developing practices of communal reflection on results of initiatives. The development of people is essential for achieving an organization’s mission.

Organizational leadership involves the intentional development of others. As a higher education administrator, in multiple roles, I have initiated programs focused on the intentional development of faculty and staff. These efforts have included the workshops that I have given across the country and research that assesses the effectiveness of leadership development efforts. Best practices come from clear assessment of professional and leadership development programs.

Below is information on various roles, initiatives, programs, and publications that I have initiated related professional and leadership development.

Executive Coaching, 2019-present
Provost, Gordon College, Wenham, MA, 2012-2020
• Developed an 8-year model for faculty development from initial hire through post-tenure advancement into leadership positions
Dean of Research and Scholarship, Calvin College, 2000-2009
• Expanded the capacity of faculty and the institution in the area of research and scholarship which resulted in an increase in external funding and grant applications from 4 (4) submitted (granted) in 2000 to 73 (51) by 2006
Development Workshops, 2000-present
Developing a plan of scholarship (with Helen Sterk), two-day workshop that has been given across multiple institutions
Post-Tenure Life workshop (with Helen Sterk), 24 hour retreat that has been given at multiple institutions
Women Succeeding in Academic, weekend leadership retreats for women considering leadership in academe Initiatives
Soul Care Initiative. 2016, reflective practices amongst faculty and staff, Imago Dei Fund
Changing Culture and Empowering Young Women. 2016-17, planning retreat for higher education teams from institutions across the United States to develop strategies for the empowerment of women on their campuses, Sister Fund
Women in Leadership National Study. 2016. Dissemination grant, Imago Dei Fund.
Women in Leadership National Study. 2013-2015, national research project on identifying best practices, Imago Dei Fund (with Amy Reynolds)
Presidential Briefings—Gordon’s Financial Future. 2016, to develop financial understanding among faculty and staff, Davis Foundation
Wise Stewardship in a time of Change in Higher Education. 2015, to develop a series of workshops for faculty and staff, Davis Foundation
Curry, Janel M. and Dorothy F. Chappell. 2023. “Women in the American Scientific Affiliation: Past,Present, and Future.” Perspectives in Science and Christian Faith 75 (2):84-99.
Curry, Janel. 2021. “Living with a Posture of Courage and Care.” In EcoHodos: Eco-theology, Mission, and Leadership, edited by Alexander Malov, Hodos Institute, Ukraine.
Curry, Janel and Kathryn Willeman. 2018. Overcoming the Gender Gap. Advance Magazine. Fall: 26-30.
Study: Where Are the Women Leading Evangelical Organizations? That's the mystery the Gender Parity Project, whose results debut this weekend, sets out to solve. Interview by Katelyn Beaty/ September 19, 2014. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/september-web-only/study-women-leading-evangelical-organizations.html
Curry, Janel. 2013. “When women Lean In, Men Grow Up.” Inside Higher Ed. December 2, 2013. www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/12/02/essay-impact-women-rising-through-ranks-academe.
Barden, Dennis and Janel Curry. 2013. “Can Faculty Members Lead? Will they?” The Chronicle of Higher Education. April 12: A36 (with Dennis M. Barden).
“The History of Women in the American Scientific Affiliation.” 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8FrypL7TTI
“Faculty Development Models.” 2018 Institute for Chief Academic Officers, Council of Independent Colleges, November 6, 2018, St. Louis, Mo. (with Linda Samek).
“National Study on Women in Leadership.” Presentation to Forman Christian College faculty and staff; panel facilitation, November 13, 18, 2019, Lahore, Pakistan.
“Institutional Best Practices and Strategies for Developing Women Leaders.” Missio Nexus Mission Leaders Conference, September 24-26, 2015, Orlando, FL.
“Women, Leadership, and Evangelical Nonprofits.” Christian Leadership Alliance, April 16, 2014, Dallas, TX (with Amy Reynolds and Helen Sterk).
“Big Idea.” Executive Leadership Best Practice Dialogue Workshop. Christian Leadership Alliance, April 15, 2014, Dallas, TX.
“Is it Easier to Be a Servant Leader When You Have Already Been Crowned King?” Panel at the Conversations toward Wholeness conference, CCCU, Point Loma Nazarene University, April 10, 2008 (with Sue Hasseler and Michelle Loyd-Paige).
“It’s About Dual Vocations Not Dual Incomes.” Panel presentation at the Conversations toward Wholeness conference, CCCU, Point Loma Nazarene University, April 10, 2008.