The University of Idaho Leadership Academy is constructed to include guest lectures, mini-lectures, group projects, and community building exercises for participants to fully explore leadership in higher education. Through experiential learning, participants build relationships with others within the University and create a space of trust and respect. Participants are expected to actively engage in the learning events and to reflect and refine personal leadership goals in the educational process. Faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the leadership academy; members of underrepresented groups and women are particularly encouraged to apply. Technologies will be used to ensure that employees outside of the Moscow area are able to be active participants.
Immersion Retreats
To begin the Leadership Academy experience, participants engage in an intensive one day immersion retreat in early September. An additional one-day immersion retreat is scheduled for early January.
Meetings
The Leadership Academy cohort group meets approximately three times a month throughout the fall and spring semesters. The topics are divided into three areas:
University Leadership Series
The University of Leadership Series focuses on topics specifically related to functional areas of the University of Idaho. Sessions are facilitated by a central administrator about a topic related to his or her specific area of campus.
Leadership Skills Series
The Leadership Skills Series focuses on developing essential skills for leadership. Topics that are addressed include communication skills, navigating political environments, and supervisory skills.
Leadership Theory
Participants engage in conversation structured around curriculum from the leadership books, inventories, and articles selected by the facilitators.
Facebook Discussions
Academy cohort members connect online between sessions via a closed Facebook group and Drop Box.
Project
In late November, participants begin work on tangible, product-oriented projects based on personal interests and that meet a university need.
President’s Breakfasts for Progress (Optional)
Members of the university leadership (including deans, associate deans, department heads, president’s cabinet and other leaders) come together to hear presentations on a variety of topics and make recommendations that influence the future direction of the institution. The breakfasts are open to Leadership Academy cohort members during the year that you participate in the academy.