MSU faculty and staff selected for CPE leadership groups

Several Morehead State faculty and staff members were chosen for year-long leadership programs with Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education.

The CPE named MSU faculty to participate in its Faculty Leadership Academy:

• Dr. Michele Paynter Paise, music education coordinator and associate professor of music
• Sam Stapleton (Class of 2022), MBA program director and instructor of management
• Dr. Amy Staton (Class of 2003, 2004, 2013), associate professor of veterinary technology

Additionally, the CPE selected MSU staff members to participate in the 2025-26 Leadership exChange Program as part of its Kentucky Success Collaborative:

• Donna Besant, academic services coordinator for the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics
• Misty Litton, assistant director of student services for the Office of Disability Services
• Dr. Rachel Rogers, assistant professor of research/QEP for the Craft Academy

The Faculty Leadership Academy includes 29 faculty members from the state's public colleges and universities. Participants are nominated by their institutions for the year-long leadership academy based on their academic leadership potential and will receive guidance from veteran higher education leaders from across Kentucky.

Activities include monthly networking opportunities, small-group discussions, a speakers' series, and a combination of readings and activities focusing on topics like promoting academic quality, team building, and conflict management.

"I feel incredibly honored to have been chosen for the 2025-26 Faculty Leadership Academy. Being part of this group will help me hone my leadership skills and gain a broader perspective of higher education in Kentucky," Paise said. "Having the opportunity to work with peers at other institutions and learn from them will allow me to examine our music education program at MSU and make improvements for our students where needed."

"As Program Director of the MSU Veterinary Technology Program, I look forward to gaining valuable insights that will enhance my leadership abilities and allow me to serve as a supportive mentor to both colleagues and students,” Staton said. “In a constantly evolving educational landscape, it is essential for educators to continue growing and refining our skills to better support student success. This opportunity represents a meaningful step in that journey, and I am excited to learn, lead, and contribute.”

The Kentucky Student Success Collaborative selected over 30 campus representatives from public, private and KCTCS institutions to participate in its year-long 2025-26 Leadership exChange cohort. The program provides comprehensive skills and tools to help faculty and staff lead strategic change initiatives, drive consistent campus improvement, and foster innovation.

"This is such an awesome opportunity to be selected to the Leadership exChange to share ideas with other leaders around the state. The opportunity to network and discuss in real-time important issues central to the education of Kentucky is one of the basic elements of the program," Besant said.

Throughout the program, participants gain knowledge on student-centered approaches through activities like workshops and a capstone project, which aim to improve student success outcomes.

"My focus this year will be on the student experience at Morehead State University, and how it can be improved both within and between our student service departments on campus, with emphasis on how students learn about and access disability accommodations at MSU," Litton said.

"I look forward to implementing innovative strategies that empower students as leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers while driving meaningful system change," Rogers said.

"Together, these experiences will help students make a positive impact on our region, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and our world."

To learn more about how you can become a Morehead State University student, visit www.moreheadstate.edu.