Professional Development Programs
Chairs' Academy I
The mission of the Chairs' Academy I is to encourage faculty to consider leadership career paths, and to provide guidance for new and prospective chairs and academic directors in developing the skills that are requisite for effective institutional leadership. The semester-long academy features seven workshop sessions and includes 20-25 participants. Topics include Faculty Leadership (panel of experienced chairs), Dealing with Stressed and Distressing Students, Mentoring Early-Career Faculty, Center for Learning & Teaching, and HR policies regarding Supervision of Staff, Managing Conflict and Difficult People, and Financial Matters.
Chairs' Academy II
This Academy is a follow-on to Chairs' Academy I. The first pilot tested in Spring 2018, Chairs' Academy II evolves to reflect input from previous offerings, but the next Academy will include six sessions: Developing a Vision for Your Department/School, Diversity and Inclusion - Recruitment and Retention, How to Maintain your Research as a Department Chair, Working with your Dean and Becoming a Spokesperson and Advocate for your Faculty, Work/Life Management Workshop, and Better Managing Faculty Performance.
Women's Executive Leadership Development (WELD) Program
The WELD Program seeks to develop a new generation of leaders in higher education who can successfully contribute to the future of the university. In addition to the two 2-day retreats, the 8-month program includes monthly full-day sessions in addition to project work. Approximately 24 faculty and staff participate in programming annually (typically 2/3 faculty and 1/3 management-level staff).
SEC Emerging Scholars
The SEC Emerging Scholars Career Preparation Workshop is designed to provide professional development networking opportunities for current doctoral students and a limited number of postdocs who are considering careers in higher education. The workshop is meant to encourage top scholars, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, to seek out employment and mentorship within SEC member universities. Each SEC university will be included in the workshop's development and program.
Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program - SEC-ALDP
This professional development program seeks to identify, prepare and advance academic leaders for roles within SEC institutions and beyond. It has three components, a university-level development program designed by each institution for its own participants (i.e., fellows); two SEC-wide three-day workshops held on specified campuses for all program participants; and a competitive fellowship designed to provide administrative growth opportunities for former fellows. The campus workshops are typically held in October and February.
Application Period: March - May
Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium Academic Leadership Academy - BHEC ALA
A collaboration among the 12 regional colleges and universities, the ALA encourages faculty to consider leadership career paths and to provide guidance in developing the skill set necessary for effective institutional leadership. Approximately four to eight fellows are selected annually to participate in the Bluegrass Academic Leadership Academy Education Day and to complete an institutional project.
Currently, there is no plan for a 2024-25 Academic Leadership Academy, per the KY CPE (Council on Postsecondary Education).