NCFDD Welcomes New CEO to Lead Next Phase of Expansion in Higher Education Workforce Development

Educational innovation leader, Geoff Watson brings more than 25 years of experience to guide strategic growth

DETROIT (Aug. 22, 2024) – NCFDD, a provider of professional development in higher education, recently announced Geoff Watson has joined the organization as its chief executive officer. Watson will lead the Detroit-based organization that has supported more than 14,500 higher education faculty through its professional development programs, evidence-based resources, and skilled network of academic mentors and coaches.

Watson will be responsible for leading the company’s next major growth phase by expanding its impact within the existing colleges and universities NCFDD currently partners with, as well as increasing the range of institutions it serves. He will report to the board of directors and oversee the leadership team while providing overall direction for the organization.

Since its founding in 2010, NCFDD has organically grown to partner with 340 institutions. NCFDD helps them retain and support faculty through programs that provide foundational skills for personal productivity, career progression, and well-being. Watson will lead NCFDD as it works to serve more faculty and institutions with the objective of impacting the overall educational space.

“There’s a sea change in higher education, and faculty are at the center of it. As the demands on faculty increase, they are experiencing higher levels of burn-out and attrition. NCFDD is the gold standard in providing transformational programs for professional development in higher ed. For the last 15 years of my career, I’ve worked in mission-driven education companies. I look for opportunities to scale impact and to advance the educational ecosystem and that’s why I’m at NCFDD,” said Watson.

NCFDD has a proven track record of working with faculty – more than 14,500 participants at more than 625 universities have completed its flagship Faculty Success Program (FSP). The organization partners with 91% of R1 institutions, as well as all eight Ivy League schools: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University.

“NCFDD was founded with the mission of empowering faculty to thrive in their lives and careers. The organization has grown substantially over the past 14 years, and I’m proud of the significant impact we’ve made to elevate professional development for faculty,” said Kerry Ann Rockquemore, PhD, founder of NCFDD. “We welcome Geoff to the organization – his vision and passion for educational innovation aligns perfectly with our mission. I am confident that under his leadership, NCFDD will continue to support even more individuals in higher education.”

Prior to joining NCFDD, Watson was president and chief business officer at Minerva Project. He has also held senior leadership positions at a variety of education, learning/workforce development companies, including Guild Education, Entangled and Intrax Cultural Exchange. He currently serves as an advisor for several educational technology companies including Stellic, Adro, DeltaGen and Timely.

Watson received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and a Master of Business Administration in entrepreneurial management from The Wharton School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He resides in Oakland, California with his wife and three sons. Watson will commute frequently to Detroit, as well as work remotely from his home.

For more information about NCFDD, visit ncfdd.org.

About NCFDD NCFDD is a professional development, training and mentoring community of faculty and academic leaders from nearly 350 colleges and universities. Founded in 2010 by Kerry Ann Rockquemore, NCFDD plays a vital role in empowering faculty members to thrive in their academic careers and make meaningful contributions to their fields.?The organization offers resources, workshops and mentoring to help university faculty members navigate the challenges of academia and achieve their professional goals. NCFDD provides guidance on topics such as time management, research and writing productivity, work-life balance and tenure-track success. It fosters a community of support through online forums, discussion groups and networking opportunities. For more information, please visit ncfdd.org.