The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) has announced the 2026-27 cohort of Mid-American Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (MAC ALDP) Fellows.

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The latest MAC ALDP cohort consists of Philippe Baillargeon, associate dean for careers, professional pathways and innovation in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and senior lecturer in French and Francophone studies, Sergio Breña, department head and professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Riccio College of Engineering, Jeanne Brunner, associate professor of teaching education and curriculum studies in the College of Education, and Allison Butler, associate chair and senior lecturer of communication in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“This year’s MAC ALDP Fellows are asking important questions about how we recruit and retain diverse, talented undergraduate students and prepare them for success in their academic studies and beyond,” says Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I’m particularly pleased that they are all undertaking projects that reach across campus and connect with external stakeholders, clearly demonstrating that our work at UMass Amherst is for the common good.”

Launched in 2017, the mission of the MAC ALDP is to identify, develop, prepare, and advance faculty as academic leaders at Mid-American Conference universities. Each year, up to four outstanding individuals will be selected to serve as UMass Amherst MAC ALDP Fellows under the mentorship of associate provost for faculty development, Angela de Oliveira.

“The projects our MAC ALDP Fellows are undertaking look at the full student experience at UMass Amherst, increasing equity, critical engagement and pathways to success,” de Oliveira says. “From the creation of pre-college pathways for first generation students to the engagement of alumni to support career preparation, these projects will impact current and future students alike. I’m excited to see the fellows grow as they impact the campus in such meaningful ways.”

More information about the fellows and their projects can be found on OFD’s website.