Tricia Clayton selected for 2026-27 ELATES fellowship at Drexel University

Associate Professor of Engineering and Associate Engineering Chair Tricia Clayton was recently selected for the 2026-27 Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) fellowship program at Drexel University.

Designed to advance STEM faculty in their leadership journey, ELATES is a national leadership development program offered by Drexel University to participants in engineering, computer science, life science, and physical sciences. Fellows learn how to understand and navigate organizational dynamics, expand their knowledge of strategic finance and resource management at the institutional level, and improve their personal and professional leadership skills in an intensive, full-year, part-time fellowship program.

“I am proud to represent Wake Forest as a member of this year’s ELATES cohort,” said Clayton. “As I take on more informal and formal leadership roles here at Wake Forest and in my professional societies, I want to be well-equipped with the skills necessary to be an effective leader who can navigate organizational and interpersonal dynamics. Most importantly, the mentors and peers that I will meet through the ELATES program will provide a network of collaboration and support that will last long after the program ends in March 2027.”

Clayton will receive helpful feedback as an ELATES fellow and be able to reflect on her personal leadership style, with the added opportunity to interview Wake Forest administrators to learn more about the University’s administrative functions.As part of the ELATES program, Clayton will also complete an Institutional Action Project, allowing her to apply her project development and strategy execution skills to support a key initiative at Wake Forest. 

“The ELATES program seems very hands-on and action-oriented. I can’t wait to see where it takes me,” added Clayton. 

Earlier this year, Clayton was named a 2026 Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2024, she received the Engineering Unleashed Fellowship from the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) and was the recipient of the 2018 ASCE New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2017 ASCE Moisseiff Award.

Clayton holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Learn more about the ELATES fellowship program at Drexel University.