Archives: Courses

Taking a Proactive Approach to Leading Change

In the current environment, change is no longer an infrequent ‘initiative’ that needs managing—it is all around us, it is constant, and it is not going away. But this does not mean that leaders should give up their autonomy: In too many cases, we experience change as happening to us (reactive stance) instead of proactively shaping the change we want to see, and the pace at which we want it to occur. Join us online to learn how you can take a more proactive approach to change management. Through a combination of instruction, case studies, and group discussion, you’ll gain practical tools for convening others and accelerating progress on your change effort, even against the backdrop of meetings and committees that characterize decision-making in higher education. Specifically, you’ll learn how to: Assess your own influence and authority Identify and persuade your critics Discern when and where to spend relational capital Maintain focus on the bigger-picture goal

Building Confidence as a New Leader: Overcoming Internal Barriers

One of the most challenging barriers new leaders must overcome is the lack of confidence they often face when starting a new role. Whether they are first-time leaders or assuming a new level of responsibility, new leaders must grapple with such internal pressures as misplaced emotions, preconceived notions, and negative self-talk. Learning how to identify and combat this pressure can help them to successfully navigate the transition into leadership. Join us for a highly interactive, 90-minute virtual training designed to help new higher ed leaders across all levels and functional areas to manage feelings of vulnerability in their positions and also reprogram negative thoughts. Using case studies and participation from the audience, our expert instructor will address: Identifying negative self-talk and a lack of leadership confidence: What types of intrapersonal language choices do you find yourself using when you feel unsure in your new role? What behaviors come out in those moments of uncertainty, and how do these behaviors impact your leadership ability? Getting to the root of the issue: What situations cause you to feel particularly vulnerable, and how can you identify the root causes? Why are these situations particularly difficult for you, and how can you prepare for […]

Communicating Effectively about Instances of Bias or Discrimination

In recent years, there has been an uptick in egregious biased or discriminatory incidents that have caught the attention of news and media outlets. When such instances occur, institutions must issue a timely communication quickly, and Chief Diversity and Marketing and Communication Officers are often the ones in charge of formulating the response. However, in the pressure of the moment, it can be difficult to keep communication aligned, maintain focus, and develop a clear plan of action. But each of these aspects is critically important to ensuring that you can collaborate seamlessly, and that you can execute notices in a responsible and timely fashion. Join us for this live online event to discuss how you, as the Chief Diversity Officer or Marketing and Communication Officer, can co-lead in times of crisis in order to issue timely communication regarding biased or discriminatory incidents as targeted at historically minoritized groups during prominent or local events. In this training, you will explore the decision-making influence you should have and will also learn how each of your areas of expertise can be most strongly leveraged. Specifically, we will address how to: Clarify the roles of the Chief Diversity and Marketing and Communications Officers in […]

Conflict Management: A Practical Workshop for Leaders

In this workshop, you will learn strategies to help you manage and resolve various conflicts within your department or institution. You will be introduced to practical tools that address conflict in its earliest stages before it becomes a formal dispute. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to resolving conflicts. That’s why our expert instructor will present numerous scenarios and discuss the use of framing, facilitation, and other dispute-resolution tools to help you:

Crafting and Maintaining Your Career Vision: A Workshop for Early-Career Faculty

Early career faculty are pulled in numerous, often competing directions during their first years on the job. Consequently, many end up surrendering their long-term goals and aspirations at the expense of short-term demands. Whether volunteering for numerous committees, taking on more student mentees, and/or trying to jumpstart research, it can be easy to lose sight of bigger goals and how they align to a career plan. Establishing a career vision early on, that early career faculty can return to again and again, is crucial in making strategic decisions. Join us online for an interactive workshop where you will develop an intentional and strategic career plan to help you focus on the big picture and seize opportunities that align with your goals. In this workshop, we will provide you with a wealth of useful examples from different types of academic paths and institutions. Whether you are on a traditional promotion and tenure journey or have other aspirations, you will walk away from this training with a career map you can return to and revise time and time again.  

Writing an Effective and Authentic Diversity Statement: A Video Course for Faculty

Diversity statements are a relatively new part of the faculty job application packet, yet despite their increasing importance, they can be both puzzling and challenging to write. As a faculty applicant, demonstrating contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion is now a core part of what you are expected to bring to an institution. As with anything that relates to diversity, there is no “right” type of diversity or experience. Rather, in writing a diversity statement, you aim to clearly demonstrate your authentic commitment and experiences as they relate to creating an inclusive community. This video course is divided into two sections. The first will walk you through what a diversity statement is, how to use job announcement materials to aid in your writing process, and how search committees evaluate diversity statements. The second section will help you create a process for understanding your own diversity and aligning it to the institution(s) to which you are applying, and will also teach you common errors to avoid. You’ll further be able to use a writing prompt workbook in order to workshop ideas. This video course is most applicable to faculty, whether you are new to job searching in academia or already have […]

Designing a New Faculty Mentor Program: A Bootcamp for Faculty Leaders

Designing a New Faculty Mentor Program: A Bootcamp for Faculty Leaders June 23 – July 21, 2022 Individual Session Dates: June 23, 30 & July 7, 14, 21, 2022 Important Links Contact Moira Killoran to learn more. Welcome! This is your “one-stop shop” for all course materials and instructions you will need to guide you through the bootcamp. A couple of important notes to get you started: All course materials can be found in the “Access Course Materials” tab to the left. Any course materials you will need to prepare for the live sessions, including copies of slides, faculty mentor program plan template, assignments, will be made available at the beginning of the week or sooner. Additional materials generated during the live sessions will be added by the end of the week. Your Course Syllabus will be updated and posted weekly as you progress through the program. The Syllabus will contain specific instructions for what needs to be completed before, during or after each session. Please review the syllabus at the beginning and end of every week to ensure you are completing all required work at the right time. You can find your syllabus under “Access Course Materials.” If you […]

Women’s Leadership Success in Higher Education

Women’s Leadership Success in Higher Education March 28 – 29, 2022 Become your most powerful self. Join women from across higher education to gain confidence as a leader, prioritize your goals, chart your career path, and expand your network. 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 as a Native American Leader in Higher Education

“Native Americans are too often imagined rather than understood.” This statement sums up the experience that many Native Americans have at their respective colleges and universities. While Native Americans are acknowledged in concept, they are not often discussed in concrete, specific terms, especially as it relates to leadership. But there are a growing number of Native Americans who occupy leadership roles in higher education, and the unique perspectives they bring—which influence and shape the way they approach their leadership—deserve to be more specifically recognized and celebrated. Join us online for an open discussion about the interplay between Native American heritage and leadership in higher education. You’ll be given intentional space to share your own experiences and self-perceptions with others who also identify as Native American leaders, and will come away with specific strategies for how traditional Native American values and beliefs can serve you in modern-day leadership opportunities.

Building Your Career Network: The Relationships Every Faculty Member Needs to Nurture

Faculty know they need to actively develop their research, teaching, and service leadership. By contrast, networking is often seen as something that “just happens” or is an “added bonus” that is not essential to faculty success. Yet networking doesn’t just happen, and it is far more vital than many realize. Networking is more than talking well at social events—it’s about intentionally cultivating unique relationships with people who can step up for you, provide you with guidance and feedback, know your professional goals, and offer support, encouragement, and accountability so that your work has the impact you want it to have. In this video course, we will present five relationships that are essential to faculty networks. You will learn the unique value of each of these relationships, as well as specific strategies for building them. You will identify the limiting beliefs and practices around asking for guidance (e.g., “I feel like a burden”) and sharing your goals (e.g., “this feels like shameless self-promotion”). In their place, you will learn how to utilize mindsets of generosity and strategic vulnerability in your approach to networking. Using our scripts and numerous examples of language as a guide, you will learn how to “make an […]

Advancement Roundtable: A Cohort-Based Series for Development Leaders

Advancement Roundtable: A Cohort-Based Series for Development Leaders Engage with a cohort of other advancement leaders to build your network, explore common issues you face, share current practices, and build your leadership capacity. THIS EVENT HAS NEW DATES: Login starting on: April 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. ET JOIN ZOOM MEETING Full Event Information VIEW EVENT PAGE Including: Agenda Overview Speaker Bios Prepare for the Workshop This workshop is intentionally designed to allow for maximum learning, connections, and engagement. We advise the following in order to participate fully:

Effective Leadership: An Introduction to Key Academic Leadership Skills & Competencies for Faculty

Many faculty are seeking ways to prepare for leadership positions in a time-effective manner, and to learn leadership skills and concepts that can be useful in their everyday faculty lives. This training has been designed for faculty who wish to prepare for academic leadership positions in the future, or who simply desire the skills to better navigate the formal and informal roles that go along with teaching, research, and service. In this training, you will be introduced to a practical framework that provides a basis for understanding the skills and concepts necessary for a leadership role. We will focus on the following three domains of competency: Developing Organizational Awareness: Leaders must develop an understanding of the environment in which they operate, including the various power structures at play and how decisions get made. Managing Others: Providing effective oversight while developing other faculty and staff is crucial to ensuring performance, productivity, and professional behavior. Influencing & Leading Change: Leading change and learning how to influence others are essential skills for leadership success in today’s environment. You will leave with a greater understanding of these topics along with 2-3 skills or concepts you can implement right away around each one.  

Strategic Financial Management for Department Chairs

Strategic Financial Management for Department Chairs March 29 – 30, 2022 Gain confidence in your ability to manage the financial health of your department. EVENT INFORMATION 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

Identifying and Communicating the ROI of External Partnerships

External partners like local businesses or corporate sponsors can make a significant impact on your college or department’s financial management strategy and long-term sustainability. Partnerships can help you to create new revenue streams, promote cost savings, and/or provide resources and unique experiences for your students and faculty that your department or college may be lacking. But how do you as an academic leader identify the right partnership that meets both institutions’ needs, and—more importantly—how do you communicate your vision for the partnership in a way that reflects mutual benefit? Join us for an online workshop that will help you to strategize ways to effectively cultivate and communicate the value of external partnerships for your college or department. You’ll be introduced to a variety of successful external partnerships as inspiration for what’s possible, and will practice strategizing, crafting and communicating a compelling value proposition for various types of partnerships.  

Strategic Stewardship to Improve Donor Retention

In light of an industry-wide decline in both overall giving as well as in changing donor expectations, it is more important than ever that advancement shops of all sizes take a strategic donor stewardship approach. Employing tactics like segmentation and personalized recognition and engagement touchpoints, and demonstrating impact by tying gifts to ongoing institutional priorities can help to ensure that your donors continue to give, and that you retain them over time. Join us for a live session that will help you to tie your donor retention efforts more directly to the fundraising bottom line. Our expert instructor Sarah Sims, Executive Director of Donor Engagement at the University of Houston, will share strategies like the following that lead to improved donor retention rates: Adjusting your approach by donor population Segmentation and messaging best practices How to shift organizational culture to a donor-centered retention mindset  

Using Mindfulness to Improve Overall Well-Being and Productivity: A Video Course for Faculty

Mindfulness is a key strategy in initiating our neuroplasticity—retraining our brains to see and experience more opportunities for empathy, curiosity, creativity, and inspired action. This video course will explore mindfulness from the perspective of a coach who works with academics on flourishing in their careers. Specifically, it will focus on the research-based mental resilience and stress reduction features of mindfulness, with an emphasis on the small, practical shifts that mindfulness can produce in our daily attitudes and behaviors. This video course is most applicable to faculty, as it relates the practice of mindfulness techniques that are specific to the faculty experience. However, anyone looking to integrate even short “mindfulness moments” throughout their day can decrease stress, increase optimism, and achieve self-identified improvements in mood, productivity, and peace by implementing the techniques offered in this course.

Enhancing Your Skills as an Experienced Manager: A Bootcamp for Mid-Level Leaders

Enhancing Your Skills as an Experienced Manager: A Bootcamp for Mid-Level Leaders March 23 – May 4, 2022 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET Individual session dates: March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4 Important Links Contact Moira Killoran to learn more Welcome! Welcome to Enhancing Your Skills as an Experienced Manager: A Bootcamp for Mid-Level Leaders. Our hope is that you walk away with skills and tools to lead and motivate your team in addition to a support team that will extend long beyond our time together! This is your “one-stop shop” for all course materials and instructions you will need to guide you through the bootcamp. A couple of important notes to get you started: All course materials can be found in the “Access Course Materials” tab to the left. Any course materials you will need to prepare for the live sessions, including copies of slides, assignments and assessments, will be made available at the beginning of the week. Additional materials generated during the live sessions will be added by the end of the week. Within your course materials, you’ll find a detailed Course Syllabus. The syllabus will contain specific instructions for what needs to […]

Facilitating Equity Intergroup Dialogue Circles: A Bootcamp for Group Facilitators

Facilitating Equity Intergroup Dialogue Circles: A Bootcamp for Group Facilitators June 29 – August 17, 2022 Individual Dates: June 29 (UPDATED DATE), 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, and 17, 2022 Important Links Welcome! Thank you so much for joining us on this learning journey to becoming a skilled Equity Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator! Over the course of these seven sessions, you will learn from our expert instructor as well as from your peers, and you will have opportunities to apply what you are learning in real time. We have incorporated numerous opportunities in our curriculum for you to connect with your cohort of attendees as you work through the various exercises. Our hope is that you walk away having thoroughly explored and developed your intergroup dialogue facilitation plan through reflection, practice, and discussion. Pre-Event Assignment For our first session, please be prepared to share during introductions the origin of your name, an artifact connected to one or more of your salient personal identities, and what drew you to join this bootcamp. If you have any questions, please contact me: Jenn Duffield, Learning and Development Manager at Academic Impressions. Mark Your Calendars UPDATED DATE: Module 1: June 29, 2022 | 12:00 […]

Foundations of Title IX Investigations: Training & Certification

Foundations of Title IX Investigations: Training & Certification Friday, June 24 & Monday, June 27, 2022 Approach your sexual harassment investigations with greater confidence. Welcome to your course page for your virtual conference! We’ll be adding links to meeting rooms, schedules, social media, and course materials as they become available. Make sure to check back as it gets closer to your conference! 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

Use Indigenous Storytelling Techniques to Help Facilitate Conversations on Racial Equity

In traditional indigenous storytelling, it is common for a group of people to come together, sit in a circle, and share personal stories around a specific theme or topic. These story circles serve to build community and celebrate culture through information transmission. They also allow for equanimity and provide a way to see the similar in the diverse. In this way, story circles can be used as an equalizer and a way to find common ground around critical and sensitive topics like race. Join us at this live online event to learn more about how you can use indigenous storytelling methods on your campus to facilitate courageous conversations. You’ll learn how storytelling can: Encourage creative questions Act as a catalyst for reflection Ensure all voices are heard Provide valuable practice in reacting and responding to difficult conversations You will come away better equipped to help others share their own stories while also learning from the stories of others.