Improving Promotion and Tenure Reviews by Using a Deliberative Decision-Making Model

By participating in promotion and tenure reviews, faculty make the most consequential decisions they will ever have to engage in on behalf of their colleagues. Without adequate training and preparation, departments often have a reputation of unfair decisions, power dynamics, and lack of transparency that taint the process going forward and impact culture and morale. Among the many challenges in re-envisioning what this process could look like is that expectations are often vague. Women and people of color tend to go up for P&T less and at slower rates than their white, male colleagues, and what is considered “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” in one unit could mean something different in another. As part of a broader largescale initiative aimed at improving department culture and climate, The University of Denver sought to change how they deliberated on key decisions, and in doing so, had the opportunity to influence climate, perception of colleagues, and overall satisfaction. Their approach was to utilize deliberative decision making (DDM) as a tool by which to train their faculty at large on their role as reviewers to ensure that everyone had an equal opportunity to influence a decision and that everyone believed that the decision that was made […]

Growing Women’s Engagement and Philanthropic Interest

Over 100 researched data points show gender matters in giving; a key one is that women are now influencing or making over 75% of all household charitable decisions. With women’s education, leadership, and wealth rising, it is natural that they are more actively engaged in philanthropy too. Are you preparing for this next decade of giving when women will become even more powerful philanthropists in our society?  It might be time to join the dramatically increasing number of fundraising teams who understand this demographic shift and are now paying more attention to women. Join us online to hear success stories from institutions of all sizes that have gained significant results by changing their approach to resonate more deeply with women.  Led by expert Kathleen Loehr, author of Gender Matters: A Guide to Growing Women’s Philanthropy, this training will focus on actions you can take to drive your individual and team strategic planning processes to more appropriately – and successfully – engage donors who identify as women.  You will walk away with ideas for translating research about women’s philanthropy and your own donor data into practical fundraising behaviors that will help you grow your support of women donors.

Effective Approaches to Digital Frontline Fundraising

Effective Approaches to Digital Frontline Fundraising November 17 – 18, 2021 Gain confidence in your digital fundraising practices. EVENT INFORMATION Check back soon for links! ENSURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY IS READY This workshop is intentionally designed to allow for maximum learning, connections, and engagement. We advise the following in order to participate fully: Audio & Visual Needs

Leading from a First-generation or Immigrant Background in Higher Ed: A Discussion Forum

All too often, first-generation and immigrant leaders in higher education feel they must assimilate to “standard” forms of leadership, which are historically grounded in white, heteronormative, male-centric experiences and stereotypes. But leading from a first-generation or immigrant background carries with it unique insights and perspectives that are advantages to be celebrated and leveraged in leadership. Join us online for a conversation about the interplay between cultural heritage and leadership. Our subject matter expert, a first-generation Asian-American woman leader currently serving as a community college President, will share some of the barriers she has come up against in her journey and how she eventually came to embrace them as advantages in her leadership. You’ll be given intentional space to discuss your own experiences and self-perceptions with others who identify as first-generation or immigrant leaders and will come away with specific strategies for how you can in turn leverage your unique cultural heritage to lead more authentically and effectively.

Recruit & Retain Diverse Faculty through Cluster Hiring and Mutual Mentorship

Many institutions have expressed a commitment to addressing social inequity in its multiple forms as part of their strategic plans. One way this commitment is being implemented at many colleges and universities is through efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse faculty. Cluster hiring is one powerful strategy that can help with these efforts. But institutional transformation is a long-term commitment, and a cluster-hiring initiative must be supported to be successful and sustainable. This training will unpack how cluster hiring is a point of entry to recruiting and retaining a more diverse faculty and how mutual mentorship is a path to sustainable institutional and individual success. Join us online to learn how Dr. Elizabeth Chilton, Provost and Executive Vice President for the Washington State University system, led three successful faculty cluster-hiring initiatives and supported them with a mutual mentorship model. Her leadership set the stage for a long-term impact on faculty diversity and retention, along with the broader climate and culture of the unit and, ultimately, the institution.

Measuring Alumni Engagement

Measuring Alumni Engagement December 7 – 8, 2021 Learn how to use data to demonstrate the ROI of your alumni engagement efforts. EVENT INFORMATION Check back soon for links! ENSURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY IS READY This workshop is intentionally designed to allow for maximum learning, connections, and engagement. We advise the following in order to participate fully: Audio & Visual Needs

Writing Workshop for Advancement

Writing Workshop for Advancement October 26 – 27, 2021 Strengthen the voice and consistency of your communications to donors and alumni. EVENT INFORMATION Check back soon for links! ENSURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY IS READY This workshop is intentionally designed to allow for maximum learning, connections, and engagement. We advise the following in order to participate fully: Audio & Visual Needs

DEI Foundations: Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Class in Higher Education

As faculty and staff, it’s essential to be aware of the dynamics that we create on our campuses and how that impacts our students across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Oftentimes, students with diverse SES or class backgrounds are not considered when developing programs, norms, or other collegiate experiences, which then perpetuate inequitable experiences for them.  If we can shift the conditions and climate for our students so there are not any assumptions about class status, then we can allow our students to access any experience similarly regardless of their social capital.  This course will take a foundational approach to help you: Define SES/Class and intersectionality, Understand SES/Class in the context of higher education, Understand implications for not considering SES/Class in your work, Debunk myths about SES/Class, Shift your thinking about SES/Class and, Reflect on your own SES/Class identities. This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about socioeconomic/class status within a higher education setting.  This course is most beneficial to anyone unfamiliar with the impact that SES/class status has within the context of higher education.  This course is part of our foundational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion series––an intentional collection of personal development and skill building trainings––which provide education and awareness-building, self-reflection, and next steps. 

Developing a Comprehensive System of Support for First-Generation Students

Developing a Comprehensive System of Support for First-Generation Students September 29 – October 1, 2021 Learn about tried-and-true strategies for first-generation student success and new work being done during the pandemic and its aftermath to support first-generation student success. EVENT INFORMATION Check back soon for links! ENSURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY IS READY This workshop is intentionally designed to allow for maximum learning, connections, and engagement. We advise the following in order to participate fully: Audio & Visual Needs

Reimagining Relationship Building for Major Gift Officers

During the pandemic, many institutions had a banner fiscal year because of an unanticipated amount of major gifts. This has proven to advancement leaders that the major gift officer role can be done successfully remotely. As a result, now that institutions are returning to in-person work, albeit with greater flexibility than before, it is time to apply the best of what was learned from virtual engagement work and incorporate it into the traditional model – redefining the role of the major gift officer. Join us online to discuss how to make smart choices related to how you build relationships with your major donors using a combination of traditional and virtual strategies. This training will be led by Rebekkah Brown, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at Muhlenberg College and P. Kevin Williamson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Constituent Giving at North Carolina A&T. You will engage in conversations with your peers on how: Discovery work has changed by becoming more efficient Closing and documenting gifts are being done electronically Travel schedules can be made more strategic