Professor selected for national leadership institute

Professor Erin Rehrig, chair of Fitchburg State University’s Biology and Chemistry Department, has been selected for inclusion in the American Association of State College and Universities (AASCU) Department Chair Leadership Institute to be held in January and August in Washington, D.C.

The new program is designed for current department chairs who serve at state colleges and universities and aspire to be dynamic, strategic, and empathetic leaders. Institute participants will gain a national perspective on the importance of the department chair in serving the institutional mission, leading with an equity mindset, delivering value and ensuring student success. 

Rehrig joined the Fitchburg State faculty in 2011 and has been a full professor since 2023.

Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge recommended Rehrig for consideration in the competitive program, citing her collaborative spirit, creativity, and commitment to academic excellence.

“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this unique professional development opportunity,” Rehrig said. “I’m encouraged by Dr. Hodge’s optimism about higher education, her supportive leadership style, and ‘let’s get to work mentality. My colleagues in the Department of Biology and Chemistry are caring, seasoned educators and I am looking forward to learning strategies that can best support them and the evolving needs of our students.”

“Dr. Rehrig’s leadership has already proven to be a tremendous asset to the School of Health and Natural Sciences,” President Hodge said. “She has fostered an environment of open dialogue and teamwork within her department, prioritizing inclusive collaboration that aligns with our institutional mission to serve a diverse student body. Her dedication to bringing out the best in her colleagues is matched by her focus on student success, both in and out of the classroom.”

President Hodge cited the care and intentionality Rehrig brings to her role as an educator.  

“She approaches each interaction with her students with empathy, ensuring that they are not only challenged academically but also supported holistically,” Hodge said. “This approach is especially vital in the fields of biology and chemistry, where student success is driven by the kind of thoughtful mentorship that Dr. Rehrig exemplifies.”