You have been at Indiana Tech for nearly nine months, now. How are things going?

Great! The more I get to know our Ph.D. students, their stories, and see their successes, the more excitement and pride I have to be a part of the Indiana Tech family. I feel privileged to serve here as the director of the program and work with such caring and supportive colleagues on campus.

When you saw Indiana Tech was looking for a director for its Ph.D. in Global Leadership, what about the role appealed to you and made you decide to compete for it?

The role allowed for me to combine my experience and love of teaching and academics with the practitioner roles of which I had served in administration in higher education. After 25 years in higher education, this role enabled me to work with both faculty, staff and students in leadership of a unique program that provides opportunity for bright, working professionals to earn their doctorate. The impact this will make in their personal and professional lives is amazing.

You came to Indiana Tech with a wealth of diversified higher education experience. Did all of the various experiences come to you out of necessity (you were asked to fill voids at previous institutions) or was it by design?

My best answer would be perhaps, both. I chose many of the roles, such as coach, faculty member, roles in both academics and then in advancement. Other roles came as a result of my openness to learn and accept roles and assignments at Taylor and also in professional organizations as I grew professionally and continued to gain university administrative experience. I was blessed to have completed a great doctoral program at Ball State, but then even more blessed to have been mentored by some of the best men and women in the field. Some of my leadership roles I did not seek out but was so glad I had the opportunity to do them and grow as I was serving.

When you first came to Indiana Tech, you indicated your research interests included women in leadership, dynamics in coaching and leadership, team dynamics and success, advancement best practices and leadership impact and efficacy. The common denominator for all is team- and leader-building. Why does team-building and leader-building resonate with you?

I am passionate about teams. Obviously, this began as a young coach and experiencing daily the phenomenon that occurs when people work together well and the lasting impact this synergy and community will have on people. Almost every team, group or organization has a leader—a coach, a conductor, a superintendent, a president. Leadership continues to be researched, theories emerge, publications written, but there is no consensus as to what makes a great leader. Yet, leadership is one of the strongest factors in an organization’s success. I am passionate about supporting, mentoring, teaching and encouraging leaders to continue to be the best and most effective leader he or she can be.

What are your goals for the program?

I have really appreciated the work of the faculty of the Ph.D. department. We have completed a SWOT analysis, program review and assessment of the program that should help to provide a strong foundation for looking to the future. We hope to harness the strengths of the university, the strengths of our faculty and their expertise, with the needs of top international corporations and the needs we are learning within our community and beyond.

What does Dr. Fincannon do in her spare time to unwind?

If there is any beach you will find me walking; otherwise perhaps golfing, walking and listening to podcasts, exercising or even fishing. A new interest this spring and summer is the addition of a backyard area that includes an array of flowers and birds.