Archives: Courses

Create a Culture of Cross-Campus Open Dialogue

The current Black Lives Matter movement and the fallout from COVID-19 have higher ed leaders searching for constructive ways to engage students, faculty, and staff in dialogue about difficult issues. Listening to underrepresented voices and creating space for healthy exchange is critical for building an engaged community and maintaining a positive campus climate. There are no easy answers, but campus dialogue is a tool to help start the conversation. Join us online for this two-hour workshop to learn what it means to have a culture of campus dialogue. Our experts from Case Western Reserve University will share insights and lessons learned from their experience building such a culture at their institution. You will learn how they went about increasing leadership buy-in, enhancing cross-campus collaboration, educating others about the benefits of open dialogue, and creating a formal program. We will close with an exercise to help you craft a message and align it with various stakeholder priorities so you can begin building a culture of dialogue on your own campus.

Finding the Right Career Fit as a Woman in Higher Education

Managing your career in higher education takes focus, confidence, and a willingness to work through the unique barriers we face as women. Join us for this webcast to learn: How to assess current and future opportunities to see if they are a fit for your career goals How to negotiate What steps to take if you are aspiring to a promotion We will first look at conditions in the workplace that lead to career growth to help you assess what’s working and where you might advocate for more support. Next, we will discuss how to negotiate for what you need in ways that not only benefit your career but the organization as well. Finally, we will dive into how you can best position yourself for future opportunities by tying your accomplishments to the goals of the organization.

Customer Service Skills Training: Certification for Higher Education Professionals

Customer Service Skills Training: Certification for Higher Education Professionals October 27 – 29, 2020 Gain the knowledge and skills you need to provide high quality customer service. 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! DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 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:

Leadership Perspectives from Women Presidents

With only 30% of universities being led by women presidents, getting perspectives on how these women grew their skillsets and navigated their careers is paramount to helping aspiring women leaders attain their leadership goals. In this two-part session, you will hear two former women presidents look back on their careers and share: How they advocated for themselves How they led authentically What lessons they learned Join us for this inspiring conversation!

Test-Optional Admission: A Case Study from the University of Denver

Many institutions temporarily adopted test-optional admission processes in response to COVID-19, while others are still considering implementing it or making the switch permanent. Although the benefits of going test-optional are widely acknowledged, the process of moving to test-optional when internal stakeholders are accustomed to the traditional model can be tricky to navigate. Join us for this webcast as we hear from the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment, Todd Rinehart, about the University of Denver’s journey to become permanently test-optional. Learn the benefits of this type of admission approach, the challenges of implementation, and lessons learned—what you should anticipate and pitfalls to avoid—based on the University of Denver’s firsthand experience with a test-optional admission process.

Institute for Advanced Gift Officers: Enhancing Your Donor and Portfolio Strategy

Institute for Advanced Gift Officers: Enhancing Your Donor and Portfolio Strategy December 8 – 9, 2020 Now that you’ve mastered the fundraising essentials, learn what it takes to upgrade donors and secure more complex gifts.  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! DAY 1 DAY 2 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:

Recognize Student Distress in a Virtual Environment

Mental health challenges for students will continue as classes go online. Though they may be more difficult to identify in a virtual setting, there are warning signs that faculty and staff should be aware of throughout the semester. Faculty and staff who regularly interact with students are often best positioned to see these signs of student distress and connect students with mental health providers when appropriate. In this webcast, our expert will offer guidance on identifying these signs and offer recommendations for connecting students to resources. We will specifically tackle the following objectives: Learn the risk factors and warning signs of distress, which include signs of depression, anxiety, behavior changes, and suicidal thoughts. Understand how to best intervene to support someone. Learn tips for starting the conversation, recognizing cultural considerations, and managing boundaries. Know your role and when to refer. Learn how to check your comfort and limitations and know where and when to refer on campus.

Communication Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Your Diversity Initiative

Communication Strategies to Overcome Resistance to Your Diversity Initiative October 15 – 16, 2020 Be empowered to lead crucial conversations that unite your campus around your diversity initiative. 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! DAY 1 DAY 2

Fundraising for Deans: A Virtual Bootcamp

Fundraising for Deans: A Virtual Bootcamp October 13 – November 10, 2020 Important Links Welcome!   We look forward to welcoming you to our Fundraising for Deans bootcamp experience.  Over the next six weeks, we will talk about philanthropic priorities and what it looks like to cultivate and solicit prospects and donors for fundraising success. This bootcamp will be a rich learning experience and a great opportunity to come together as colleagues to learn from Jim, Kathy, and one another.  We look forward to a great offering and to your contributions to these sessions. If you have questions about this event, please reach out to Brittany Iwaszkiw, Program Manager, at brittany@academicimpressions.com Materials for each of the four live Modules will be posted on the day of each event, if not sooner. Session Dates & Times October 13 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET) Module 1: Cultivating a Mindset for Fundraising Success October 20 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET) Module 2: Building a Team for Fundraising Success October 27 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET) Module 3: Crystallizing Your Priorities for Fundraising Success Week of November 2: Optional one-on-one meeting with Jim Langley to talk through direct feedback on your whitepaper and work through any lingering […]

Navigating Your Career Growth: A Bootcamp for Advanced Women Leaders in Higher Ed

Navigating Your Career Growth: A Bootcamp for Advanced Women Leaders in Higher Ed January 11 – March 12 , 2021 Important Links Kristine Barnett Phoebe Haddon Mary McGuinness (coaching for Daphne Watkins’ session) Welcome! Thank you so much for joining us on this learning journey as we explore career growth for women. Over the next eight weeks, you will learn from amazing women leaders in higher education and will have opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in real time. We have also provided various opportunities for you to connect with the speakers, coaches, and a small cohort of attendees as you work through the various exercises. Our hope is that you walk away with concrete steps for making your next career move as well as a support team that will extend long beyond our time together! Mark Your Calendars: Kickoff Meeting | January 11, – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Module 1: Looking Internally to Assess Your Skillsets for Career Growth (January 19 – 29)  Plenary session | January 19, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Optional session: January 29, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern to discuss your next steps Module 2: Evaluating External Factors to Help You Strategize Your Next Move (February […]

Cultivating a Professional and Engaging Persona on Your Video Calls

Cultivating a Professional and Engaging Persona on Your Video Calls Learn some simple ways you can improve the quality of your communication and connections with others online. Login On: October 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. ET Zoom Login Instructions JOIN ZOOM MEETING https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86198072516?pwd=SUJvUmR3Z2tiNmpQS3ptUGpIbE8xZz09 Meeting ID: 861 9807 2516Passcode: 773689 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: Agenda Through demonstrations, small group breakouts with your peers, and feedback from your instructor, you will walk away with simple ways you can better connect with your students, faculty, staff, donors, and others as you discuss the following:   Presenting Your Surroundings – Learn how to adjust your technology and your office environment to minimize distractions and increase engagement.     Presenting Yourself – Learn what appropriate eye contact and body language looks like in a virtual environment.

Respond to Divisive Current Events in an Inclusive Way

There are a variety of divisive current events that we’re all experiencing and can no longer ignore—national events such as the U.S. presidential election or the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as local issues that are important to your campus community. Your students will likely exercise their first amendment rights to stand up for or against the issues they feel passionate about. How confident are you that your policies include all student groups with various social identities and that students understand the required procedures should they decide to organize? When students request support from the larger community, how do you set clear expectations for the appropriate level of faculty and staff involvement? You may feel like you have more questions than answers when preparing your campus community to respond to these hot button issues. Join us online to get answers to these burning questions. You will learn how to take a proactive approach to align your campus community’s first amendment rights and ensure all perspectives are equitably supported. Our expert instructor will provide tips and strategies for: Creating policies and procedures that are clear and equitable for all members of your community Defining and communicating faculty/staff roles in cases […]

Two Week Faculty Writing Challenge

VIRTUAL WRITING CAFE Two-Week Faculty Writing Challenge Complete 10 hours in 14 days to receive a 30-minute coaching session! The challenge is open weekdays October 5th – 16th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern JOIN THE CAFE http://ai.adobeconnect.com/vw-cafe/ Having troubles getting into the room? Please contact us for assistance. Stay Tuned for the Next Challenge Dates! Orientation Dates & Times Click the link above to join the orientation call. Advanced registration is not required. September 29th | 1:00 p.m. Eastern September 30th | 2:00 p.m. Eastern October 1st |  3:00 p.m. Eastern Join Your Orientation Orientation (30 min group call with faculty nationally, with optional Q & A at the end for 15 min) 1. Join our Orientation call to learn the “3 Rules for Successful Writing” 2. Learn about the importance of accountability in your writing practice by making a commitment to reflect upon your writing process, stepping up your awareness, and learning new skills 3. Understand exactly what is expected once you get in the café on the first day Login Instructions for Cafe 1. Click the radio button that reads “Enter as a Guest” 2. In the box that says “Name” enter your name 3. Click the […]

Your First Month as a New Chief of Staff: How to Get It Right from the Start

A successful Chief of Staff juggles many priorities, communicates effectively across various channels, and has a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. Taking steps to get clarity regarding your role, engage with stakeholders, and learn the expectations of the President when you first come into the role can ensure a smooth transition for all parties involved and help expedite your effectiveness and impact. In this one-hour training, our expert, Max Allen, will highlight the three key considerations to get right during your first month as Chief of Staff. You will leave this webcast feeling more confident to do what is necessary to pave the way to success in your new role.

The 5 Stages of Preparing Your Title IX Investigative Report

The final report that you prepare as Title IX investigator is critical. Not only is it highly visible and under scrutiny by all parties, but the information contained in it should also set the hearing panel up for success and reduce the exposure of litigation. To do this, your top priority is to create a report that is free from investigator bias, accurately represents the facts you gathered from the witnesses, and is well organized. When the stakes are this high, the pressure you feel to get this done might seem overwhelming. Join us online for this highly interactive four-hour workshop where you’ll learn and practice a five-stage process that will help you gain confidence in your ability to prepare a credible and thorough final investigative report. You will review and analyze a sample report, and your instructor will provide tips and strategies for how to: Present your report in a professional way that does not build up or break down any witness testimonies Depict the most comprehensive and accurate version of the story, including a thorough examination of witness corroboration and contradictions Respond to missing or incomplete components of your policy

Adapt Your In-Person Peer Mentor Program for a Virtual Environment

We know that one of the challenges of student retention and success in today’s socially distant and remote environment is how to foster student engagement while keeping students safe. Our research participants unanimously agreed that peer mentor programs are more important than ever—but there are major challenges to making them work. Though peer mentor programs have been tried and true student success interventions to keep students connected, most were designed to facilitate face-to-face interaction between students. Learn how one institution’s peer mentor program—which led to an 11% increase in retention pre-pandemic—was positioned for continued success in a remote learning environment. Our expert speaker will share steps you can take today to pivot your peer mentor program and provide seamless support for students whether learning is in-person, remote, or anywhere in between.

Strategies for Developing Workforce-Aligned Learning

Whether you’re a community college or a 4-year institution, you want to make your curriculum more relevant to the workforce. Community colleges have led the field in workforce development, and traditional 4-year universities are promoting entrepreneurship and experiential learning. Regardless of your institutional type, have you paused to ensure that your workforce development initiatives check all the boxes? Join us for a one-hour webcast where you’ll learn the key tasks you need to undertake at the community, administrative, and individual classroom levels to align your curriculum with the needs of the workforce. Our internationally recognized speaker will offer you a panoramic view of the work needed to spearhead workforce development at your institution so that you can distinguish yourself from your competitors, increase student engagement, and bolster career preparedness.

Transform Your Alumni Board Members Into Donors

Serving as a bridge between your alumni base and your advancement shop, your alumni board members are your best ambassadors. They can help you create a culture of philanthropy that not only engages your graduates but also transforms that engagement into giving. To do this, however, your board members should set an example by giving while also bringing new prospects into the fold. Join us online to learn how to cultivate your alumni board from prospects into donors and ambassadors who can positively impact your strategic fundraising initiatives. You will learn tips for engaging your alumni board in meaningful ways that inspire them to serve as examples for others. You will also hear best practices for training your board to assist with alumni volunteer recruitment, peer-to-peer solicitation, and stewardship so that they can add value at all stages of your fundraising efforts.

Integrating Social Media into Your Solicitation Communications Plan

Now more than ever, it’s imperative to incorporate social media into your annual giving solicitation communications plans to meet donors where they are every day – online. Join us for a webcast that will walk you through how to successfully integrate social media into annual giving and curate a seamless donor experience across solicitation channels. Our expert instructor, Karalee Harhaji, will come ready to share her experiences across two institutions, Georgetown University and Catholic University, each with varying budgets and knowledge in making the move to social media. Regardless of what your current practices are, you will have the chance to visualize how you can craft an improved plan moving forward.

Engaging in Empathy: Balance the Emotional Demands

As a leader, you likely know that empathy is a behavior that can help you build connections and trust with others on your team. Due to the uncertainty and rapid change we have been navigating through this past year, you may have found yourself exercising empathy with colleagues more often and at greater depths than you’ve ever had to before. Empathy fatigue may be settling in and you might be noticing that exercising empathy gets more difficult the more tired and worn out you become. Join us online for a 2.5-hour virtual training and discussion to learn how you can utilize your emotional intelligence to recognize the signals of fatigue and continue to embrace empathy when it’s most needed. Your instructor will introduce a toolkit of skills you can use to engage in empathy and use it effectively. You will have the opportunity to discuss how empathy shows up in your relationships and how you can begin to use the toolkit to foster meaningful connections with others.

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