Researchers have spent years investigating the demands, multiple roles, and critical nature of organizational leaders in post- secondary institutions. The result of the research indicates agreement that leadership in post secondary institutions is complex and multidimensional. Given the research trends over the past thirty years and the current range of issues facing post secondary education in the first decade of the 21st century it appears logical to predict an increase in role demands and complexity for educational leader.

How do we prepare leaders who understand themselves, know how to build relationships, have the skills to develop and work with teams, think and plan critically and strategically, and connect their communities? This kind of systemic change in leadership training and development needs a strong program. Participants require an intellectual base on which to build their leadership responsibilities.

Leadership training must be carefully designed to broaden the participant's knowledge of leadership theories and principles, as well as develop supervisory and managerial skills. Training must help participants apply leadership concepts, practices, and processes as they relate to the needs of actual work situations. Training cannot be conducted in a format that is isolated or disconnected from the participant's experiential world or the context of their reality. Training must be problem-based, with a situated learning environment rich with authentic applications and assessments. To this end, mentoring and coaching for success are keys to effective leadership training.

The Academy for Leadership and Development, hereafter referred to as the Academy, offers opportunities to acquire and understand major research and theoretical developments in leadership. Participants have opportunities to develop proficiency in selecting, integrating, and applying appropriate concepts from social and behavioral science and adult education in formulating and implementing approaches to leadership problems and issues. The Academy provides a systems approach to transformational leadership. The program is dedicated to long-term change.

The Academy training is built upon a foundation of leadership research, theory, skills, and best practices. Training occurs over time with measured outcomes. Leaders are mentored and coached during the Academy by experienced Academy coaches. Leaders are networked with mentors on their campuses and colleagues from their leadership class. On-going personal and electronic conversations keep leaders connected to each other, their campuses, experienced leaders, and the Academy.

The Academy works to convert the goal for training programs into a reality. The Academy empowers people to soar, to sail, to step forward bravely into the unknown.

The program will be designed to provide the leadership theories, practices, and skills needed to support leaders, and those striving to become leaders, to lead their respective departments/areas and colleges/universities more effectively. This program is designed to be inclusive and focus on leadership at all levels in the organization. It is designed to create a dialogue that leads to discovery, new knowledge, innovation, and ultimately, to both individual and organizational transformation.

Who Should Attend?

Colleges internationally are being invited to participate. Enrollment is limited to 54 participants per leadership training program. Limiting enrollment allows for a variety of active and collaborative learner-centered activities to be incorporated.

The Leadership Academy also advocates that leaders who participate in the program be provided additional on-going professional development opportunities after completing this training program. An on-going mentoring program and additional professional growth opportunities for expanding their leadership roles and responsibilities within and outside the college are several other components that are essential for a successful college succession and leadership development plan.

Program Design

Based on the concept of training-over-time, this program allows participants to thoroughly understand, internalize, and apply leadership concepts and skills. The overall focus of the program will be to establish a high quality, cost-effective succession, and leadership development program which utilize a skills-based approach, grounded in sound theoretical leadership concepts, principles, and practices. Four basic criteria are incorporated in both the design and delivery of all leadership topic areas: active engagement of participants, meaningful and relevant curriculum content that is useful and applicable to learning in the job setting, and measurable training outcomes.

Program Elements

• Ten full-day leadership sessions scheduled over one year (i.e., an initial 5-day session followed a year later by a concluding 5-day session).


• A yearlong practicum experience between training sessions with support and guidance provided by self-selected college mentors, an Academy liaison and coach: The practicum includes:


• Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP)—Participants will develop and implement individualized action plans (IPDP) to address the leadership topics and skills covered in the first training session. Participants will expand their IPDP to include the other leadership topics covered during the second training session.


• Mentoring Program—Participants will choose a college mentor who will provide support, guidance, and feedback regarding their IPDP. In addition, an Academy liaison and coach will provide further guidance and support. Participants will also select a "Program Buddy" for peer support during their practicum experience.


• Reflective Practice and Journaling—During the practicum experience, participants will be encouraged to reflect upon their work experience and their IPDP on a regular basis. Reflection will help them to establish a benchmark journal of where they are now; determine what they have learned from their leadership activities/experiences, and what they will do as a transformational leader in the future.


• Electronic Connection—Participants will be able to engage electronically in an on-going dialogue with fellow participants through our Academy listserv. Monthly leadership issues will be sent by the Academy. Additional leadership content, which reinforces and enhances the learning experience during the practicum experience, will also be provided. The participants' mentors and their immediate supervisors will be linked electronically and the Academy will provide them with program information and support as well.


• Leadership Surveys—Using online 360-degree evaluation tools, the program outcomes evaluate participant growth and development are measured using pre, interim and post leadership survey instruments. These evaluations are measured over an eighteen-month period of time.


• Graduate Credit—Nine hours of online graduate-level credit is available for successful completion of the program competencies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Walden University, and Nova Southeastern University. For more information, contact:
  Debbie Nellis, Director of Recruitment & Outreach Services, at Nova Southeastern University, 800-986-3223 x8437;
  Jim Ihrig, Sr. Lecturer, Department of Educational Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 402-472-0943;
  Korri Jackson, Marketing Communications Manager, at Walden University, 410-843-8434.


• Academy Certificate of Completion—Each graduate of the program receives a framed Certificate of Completion listing the program competencies as well as an Academy Leadership pin, recognizing their efforts and successful attainment of program competencies.

Topics Include:

• Understanding Self & Others: Work Behavorial Styles
• Complex Role of the Organizational Leader
• Leadership Assessments: Academy Surveys
• Leading and Managing Effective Teams and Work Groups
• Strategic Planning and Scenario Thinking
• Managing Conflict Productively and Engaging in Crucial Conversations
• Appreciating Diversity
• Balance of Leadership and Management
• Building Effective Work Teams
• Leader as Manager
• Hiring and Orienting for Excellence
• Coaching and Developing for Exemplary Performance Outcomes
• Recognizing and Celebrating Values and Victories
• Leading Part-Time Staff

For a detailed description of topics click here: The Path Toward Transformational Leadership

To learn more about upcoming Academies and for registration information, click here.