NEWS
NORMAN, Okla. – Rebecca Cruise, Ph.D., associate provost for global engagement at the University of Oklahoma, has been named a 2025-26 Alumni Fellow of the Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program (SEC ALDP). The initiative aims to support SEC faculty and early career administrators in becoming part of the next generation of academic leaders.
Cruise was previously named a 2024-25 SEC ALDP Fellow and is now OU’s first recipient of the program’s alumni fellowship, which connects faculty to other SEC universities to strengthen their knowledge and skills. Through this opportunity, she plans to learn from other leaders and staff at global engagement and international affairs offices about their domestic study away programs.
“We are thrilled that Associate Provost Cruise has been selected for this fellowship,” said OU Senior Vice President and Provost André-Denis Wright. “She has been critical in supporting a wide scope of student learning opportunities, and this program will advance those efforts.”
In addition to serving as OU’s senior international officer, Cruise is an associate professor of security studies and comparative politics in the College of International Studies (CIS) and the director of FYE Global Perspectives within CIS.
“Leadership development programs like ALDP maintain our university’s strong institutional momentum,” said Vice Provost for Faculty Sarah Ellis. “Through our SEC membership, these opportunities will continue to support our success.”
Earlier this year, four OU faculty members were named 2025-26 Fellows for the SEC ALDP program.
For more information about the SEC Academic Leadership Development Program, visit secsports.com.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Five current and former students from the University of Oklahoma have received prestigious fellowships, in recognition of their exceptional potential for STEM leadership.
Although often considered a disease of the past, leprosy remains a global health issue, causing preventable disability due to delayed diagnosis and gaps in care. In a paper published in The Lancet, a professor of infectious diseases from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine calls for stronger awareness, earlier detection and improved long-term management.
The University of Oklahoma Honors College hosted its 38th annual Undergraduate Research Day on April 16 in the Thurman J. White Forum Building. Over 300 people attended, and 175 students presented their posters and projects to visitors, faculty members, judges and peers.
