SELF Staff and Fellows


The SELF Program is supported by a Program Director, a Program Coordinator, and two Professors of the Practice. As shown on the organization chart, each cohort elects leads to represent their cohort at the program level, and elects leads for various cohort-level events and program-wide efforts. Student leadership roles are filled on an annual basis to give ample opportunity for leadership experience while also supporting balance across the Fellows' schedules.

This is an organizational chart for the SELF Leadership Organization at the University of Kansas School of Engineering for the academic year 2025-2026. At the top of the hierarchy is Dr. Elaina Sutley, who serves as Associate Dean for Impact & Belonging and Director of the SELF Program. Below her are two Professor of Practice positions and Palvin Bhana as Impact and Belonging Coordinator. The next level shows four cohort leadership positions in red boxes:  2029 Cohort Leads (Selected in the 2026 Spring semester) 2028 Cohort Leads: Alexis Dominic and Chloe Redding 2027 Cohort Leads: Emma Du and Glory Gadden 2026 Cohort Lead: Tej Gumaste  Below these are various specialized leadership roles in yellow boxes:  Freshman Orientation Leads: Nathan Phillips and Elizabeth Aberle Freshmen & Sophomore Retreat Planning Leads: Liam McKinley and Chloe Redding Community Science Project Leads (Coming soon!) SELF on the Road Leads: Ariana Boykin and Mason Orf High School Design Leads: Emily Clausen and Austin Seher  At the bottom level are three committee chair positions:  AY25-26 Outreach Committee Chair (Selected in September) AY25-26 Social Committee Chair: Liam McKinley AY25-26 Ovations Planning Committee (Selected in February)  The chart uses blue boxes for senior leadership, red boxes for cohort leads, and yellow boxes for specialized roles and committees.

Dr. Elaina Sutley, Ph.D., P.E.

Dr. Elaina Sutley is the Associate Dean for Impact and Belonging, an Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering, and serves as the Director of SELF Leadership Fellows Program. She can be reached via email at enjsutley@ku.edu
Elaina Sutley

Palvih Bhana, M.Ed

Palvih Bhana is the Impact and Belonging Program Coordinator and can be reached via email at palvih.bhana@ku.edu
Palvih Bhana

Program photo