The New Frontiers of Sound Leadership Programs offer opportunities across all levels and institutions in the center, from undergraduates to faculty, to strengthen leadership, mentoring, and collaboration skills. Each program emphasizes proven practices, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth.

The Student-Centered Leadership program is a training series for faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers across NewFoS institutions. Each year, the program highlights a core theme within leadership development. For 2025–2026, the focus is Mentoring Skills; preparing participants to more effectively guide, support, and develop students and peers in research and academic settings.

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The Leadership Ambassador program is part of the NewFoS Mentoring Ecosystem. Ambassadors cultivate an informed network that connects research and education opportunities across NewFoS institutions. They actively share resources, promote opportunities, and help build a supportive community of practice.

What Ambassadors Do

• Circulate opportunities (scholarships, fellowships, internships, professional development, conferences) across the NewFoS community.
• Support peers, students, and colleagues in applying for opportunities.
• Share information about events and programs with their networks.
• Present on NewFoS initiatives at meetings, workshops, and community events.
• Offer feedback on strategies for improving outreach and engagement.

Commitment

• One-year cohort term.
• Participate in periodic cohort meetings and check-ins.
• Facilitate at least one professional development activity within their unit or department.
• Engage with networks across NewFoS partner institutions to ensure broad awareness of opportunities.

Incentives

• Professional development funds to support conference attendance, memberships, or training.
• Recognition within NewFoS and at partner institutions.
• Direct connection to leadership development resources and networks.

Current Ambassadors (2025 Cohort)

• Wataru Takeda (University of Arizona, Postdoctoral Scholar)
• Derrick Hylton (Spelman College, Faculty)

An open membership group for undergraduate and graduate students across institutions. The council builds community, creates connections across partner sites, and strengthens the student voice in NewFoS.

Link Coming Soon 

The Peer Symposium is a monthly professional development series open to all students and postdocs in NewFoS. Each session builds specific skills to support academic and career growth, while fostering community across institutions.

Goals

• Build a supportive environment for peer connections and collaboration.
• Strengthen participants’ sense of belonging in STEM and higher education.
• Provide tools, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Encourage collaborative discussions and projects that connect to NewFoS research in Topological Acoustics.

Format

• Monthly meetings during the academic year (Fall 2025 dates: Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 11).
• Sessions feature presentations, workshops, and networking.
• Facilitated by graduate and postdoc leaders with guidance from NewFoS staff.

View Upcoming Peer Symposium Events