Huffman’s nomination to participate in the university system institute means he has already proven his leadership abilities, said Ken Procter, Dean of Arts and Sciences.

“Participation in the Institute will strengthen existing skills, develop new skills, and prepare participants for new leadership challenges,” Procter said. “We in the College of Arts and Sciences are very proud that Dr. Huffman he has been tapped for this opportunity. He will be a fine representative for the College of Arts and Sciences and a great ambassador for Georgia College.”

The Executive Leadership Institute is the flagship system-wide leadership development program. Leadership experts will conduct the program. The development program, allowing scholars to enhance their leadership skills to prepare for potential high-level advancement within the university system.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to participate in the ELI and to represent GCSU at this statewide Institute,” Huffman said. “It should provide an excellent opportunity to network with other administrators from USG institutions and develop my own professional and leadership skills.”

Huffman will join 72 other faculty and staff members from throughout the university system institutions during the seven-month training program to address the system’s Strategic Goal No. 6, “Increasing Efficiency Working as a System.”

“This is an important initiative that will yield many benefits to both our leaders and the University System,” wrote Tina Woodard, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Professional Development, in Huffman’s acceptance letter.

Huffman hopes to learn more about team building and fostering effective communication and collaboration in groups.

“I understand we will learn more about creative problem solving and also practical, data-driven decision making,” he said. “And perhaps most importantly, I will be keenly attentive to learning what strategies and leadership skills will be most applicable in an academic setting, where the goals and objectives of the institution center on students' intellectual and civic growth.”

The Ohio native first taught at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala., before arriving at Georgia College in 2002 as an assistant and later associate professor of mathematics. He was promoted to assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2007.

He has earned a number of honors and awards including the 2008 Powell/Whipple Award presented by the John H. Lounsbury College of Education for his collaboration with its faculty.

His mathematical research interests include convolution algebras, ring theory, operational calculus, radical theory, and integral equations.

“Convolution algebras serve as an interesting and fruitful connection between the areas of algebra and analysis,” Huffman said. “Much of my work explores the algebraic properties of certain rings having a convolution operation and the applications that result in differential and integral equations.”