Deans and academic leaders are often thrust into fundraising without much experience or training. And as today’s philanthropic landscape becomes more competitive and donors become more selective, successful fundraising is harder to achieve than ever. Join us to learn how to align your academic needs and interests with donors to improve the philanthropic health of your academic unit. For extra impact, bring your development officer partners so that you have time for strategic planning together in a hands-on experience.  

More details about the timing of the days can be found by clicking Learn More and Register, but session descriptions of the two days are below:  

Acknowledging Current and Emerging Challenges in Higher Education
Higher education today is facing a range of challenges, such as financial imbalance, increased competition, and enrollment declines, just to name a few. In this interactive session, you will identify current and emerging challenges for your institution or academic unit, and we’ll discuss how these challenges relate to the philanthropic realities that higher education is facing both today and into the future. 

The Five Paths to Leadership® 
As the Dean, the challenges facing your academic unit are yours to contend with. How do you show up in the face of these challenges as a leader? In this session, you’ll consider how your self-awareness and authenticity as a Dean influence how you approach your relationships with prospective donors. 

Working with Your Development Partner(s) 
Your relationship with advancement staff will be crucial to your success. The most effective Deans work collaboratively with their development officers, establishing clear communication channels, shared goals, and mutual respect for each other’s expertise. We’ll explore that relationship in this session as well as how the partnership significantly amplifies both of your efforts.  

Working Collaboratively with Donors 
Using the Academic Impressions Collaborative Donor Relationship Framework, you’ll work with others to build skills that will enable you to better connect with and understand your donors in a framework that encompasses awareness, interest, connection, partnership, and investment. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply the framework to your own context to develop the most effective relationships with donors.  

Developing Concept Papers
One of the most meaningful ways you can engage a donor as a true partner is to present them with a concept paper and seek their expertise and input on how to address a visible need in community or society. By providing the opportunity to engage in the concept paper process, a donor feels like a true collaborator, which makes them more likely to give through your academic unit to achieve this greater purpose. In this final session, you will identify an idea that you have for a concept paper and then practice drafting it using six key questions. You will also receive feedback on your draft from peers and the facilitators. 

Consider the Deans Success Program
Are you interested in making the most impactful difference in your leadership? Consider attending this workshop as part of the Deans Success Program: a year-long cohort where you attend multiple leadership development workshops based on your needs, ensure accountability by working with an executive coach, and participate in a discussion circle with fellow deans. Contact us to learn more about the program.

Academic Impressions workshops provide the opportunity for quality conversations and relationship-building through both formal and informal networking opportunities in an intimate setting. Our in-depth and hands-on approach to learning provides you with actionable takeaways.

Learn More About the Academic Impressions Workshop Experience ➞