Archives: Courses

Achieving your Career Goals with an Executive Coach

Are you seeking strategies for challenging conversations and getting buy-in from stakeholders? Are you trying to plan for career advancement but struggling with learning new skills and how to position yourself? Are you looking to develop yourself as a professional but are challenged by a new role and little guidance? Come learn how working with an Academic Impressions executive coach can help you to “unlock” the key to solving the myriad challenges of working in higher education.   By attending this free webcast, you as a leader will understand how working with an executive coach gives you that “ace in your pocket” to stretch yourself for the career you were meant to have. We’ll highlight the benefits you will realize with a coach, including strategies to align personal aspirations with career goals, and how to capitalize on your strengths. 

Donor-Centric Stewardship: A Partnership with Annual Giving and Donor Relations

It is no surprise that advancement shops are experiencing increasingly greater external philanthropic competition, which can lead to declining donor interest and investment in your institution over time. Therefore, it is imperative that annual giving staff consider revising or updating their donor acquisition and retention strategies to better serve the changing needs and desires of their donors. Having a well-defined stewardship plan for annual giving donors not only sustains your donor interest, it also creates an opportunity for internal collaboration that may not have existed before.  The annual giving and donor relations staff at Old Dominion University (ODU) identified and seized upon such an opportunity.  They came together to consolidate their stewardship efforts, and as a result, they have:  Join us at this online event to hear how these two teams came together and to learn how you can collaborate in similar ways on your own campus. 

Feedback as a Faculty (Re)Engagement Strategy 

Both affirmative and constructive one-on-one feedback are critical to faculty talent development.  Feedback that is appropriate for the career level (assistant, associate, professor) provides clarity, direction, goal alignment and motivation, all of which are required to successfully navigate today’s higher education landscape filled with complexity and uncertainty. Feedback, when delivered effectively, can promote creativity, productivity, learning and growth, job satisfaction, and, ultimately, retention through faculty career stages. However, with quitting (both quiet and loud) so prevalent—and current faculty morale so low—providing feedback to faculty can feel high-risk. You don’t want to alienate faculty any further.    Join us online for a two-hour workshop in which we’ll practice the art of providing feedback to faculty in an effort to both develop their talent and re-engage them. We’ll begin the workshop with a short lesson on the most critical components of effective feedback (i.e., timing and consistency, as well as delivery method, mode, and tone) and how they may be influenced by generational differences. You’ll then have time with your peers to practice giving feedback using your new skills. If you’re looking to grow your skills and comfort in giving feedback, this workshop is for you! 

Recognizing and Celebrating Faculty and Staff:  A Panel Conversation

Faculty and staff morale is at an all-time low across most institutions in higher education, and this puts your department or unit at risk of increasing levels of burnout, decreased productivity and, ultimately, higher turnover. One way you can start to make a difference is by fostering a work environment where praise, appreciation, and gratitude are front and center. Join a panel of academic leaders and discover tips, strategies, and new methods for how you can provide praise and recognition that is meaningful, authentic, and consistent. We recognize that the needs of faculty and staff vary across disciplines and career levels, and we know that your team is likely working in a hybrid environment, so we’ll make sure you walk away with a variety of ways for you to better celebrate the accomplishments, effort, and energy of your faculty and staff.

Navigating the New Reality of Mergers, Acquisitions, and Closures in Higher Education

Mergers, acquisitions, and closures are a reality for a large number of colleges and universities as the landscape of higher education continues to change. Colleges are seeking to be more competitive than ever. However, successful mergers/acquisitions cannot be only about survival or fixing bad economics; the resulting institution must be stronger as a result. Otherwise, when mergers and acquisitions fail to provide the perceived financial reward, closure is often the only option. Unfortunately, the benefits of scale and competitiveness do not come easily or without risk. Key facts and information must be understood when evaluating, negotiating, and implementing a strategic merger. Further, it’s already too late to prepare once a merger or alliance is actively being pursued. Leaders need to be proactive and understand the landscape so that they can be either opportunistic or strategically positioned to create the best possible outcome for their institution. In this session, we will explore the following topics:

Last Leader Standing: How to Thrive as the Team’s Only Experienced Leader

The rapid pace of leadership transitions in higher education has many leaders finding themselves in a unique situation as the last leader standing. How can you use your institutional knowledge and experience to develop your personal strategy during the transition, while also working to support the team as they welcome their new members and leaders? What skills should you sharpen to weather these storms as new dynamics and expectations emerge, and new relationships must be built? In this panel discussion, our expert panelists will share their experiences and insights related to being “the last leader standing,” explore proven strategies to help provide stability during these transitions, and facilitate opportunities to learn from the experiences and expertise of other attendees. We will explore the following topics:

ChatGPT and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence

Are you curious about the potential of artificial intelligence and how it may shape the future of work and higher education as a whole? Join us for a free webcast discussion to learn about ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools that have the potential to revolutionize higher education. You’ll gain insights from experts in the field who are embracing artificial intelligence firsthand and learn about their cutting-edge experiences. Specifically, we’ll explore questions like the following:

Defining the Impact of the Metaverse in Higher Education

Are you curious about the potential of virtual reality and how it may shape the future of education and work? Join us for a free webinar discussion to learn about the metaverse and its potential to revolutionize higher education. You’ll gain insights from experts in the field who are navigating the metaverse firsthand and also learn about their cutting-edge experiences. Specifically, we’ll explore the following questions:

Strategies to Create a Positive Approach to Work: From Hiring to Retention

Staff retention and turnover has been top-of-mind for many institutions as the higher education workforce follows the broader trend known as the Great Resignation. According to CUPA-HR’s 2022 survey, more than half of college employees report that they will likely leave their jobs in the next year. And although 75% believe their work has purpose, many are seeking improved working conditions, including pay equity, flexible work options, advancement opportunities, and improved work/life balance. Join Dr. Karen Whitney, President Emerita, Clarion University, for a discussion about how workplace practices can keep pace with employee expectations and how to package those best practices in your hiring process. In this free discussion-based session, she will offer insights on how the following three levels make for favorable work conditions:

Strategies to Enhance Staff Well-being

The need for work/life balance and the mitigation of burnout among staff is at an all-time high. A recent LinkedIn poll by HireEd Careers indicated that 81% of higher ed employees feel overworked because there are not enough people in their unit to complete all of the necessary tasks. At a point where employees cannot work any harder but it all still needs to get done, how can we create some semblance of balance for our staff—and for ourselves? Join Dr. Therese Lask, Head of Practice for Leadership at Academic Impressions, in a discussion of how to enhance your overall happiness and well-being. Using Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, Dr. Lask will share ways you can help your staff connect their work to a larger purpose. Employing this model will allow you and your staff to identify individual successes and understand how they contribute to the success of the entire team. In this free discussion-based session, you will learn about: You will come away with useful, actionable ideas and insights that you can apply quickly to build well-being among your team.

Co-Creation of Innovation in Higher Education: Designing a Baccalaureate Program for Future Generations

Webcast Recording with Nivine Megahed, President of National Louis University. The capacity to innovate for many colleges and universities is no longer just a differentiator; it is a survival factor.Join us for a recorded discussion series to hear David Kiel, author of Creating a Pipeline for Innovation Within Your College or University, interview four outstanding college and university presidents and chancellors who are leading and supporting extraordinary change efforts. In this series, each session will focus on how to innovate at one particular type of institution: Participants will learn steps that leaders and innovators can take to build an innovation-friendly culture and the five stages of institutional support needed to create a pipeline for innovation.

Co-Creation of Innovation in Higher Education: Renewing and Strengthening the Regional University

Webcast Recording with Robert Johnson, President of Western New England University. The capacity to innovate for many colleges and universities is no longer just a differentiator; it is a survival factor.Join us for a recorded discussion series to hear David Kiel, author of Creating a Pipeline for Innovation Within Your College or University, interview four outstanding college and university presidents and chancellors who are leading and supporting extraordinary change efforts. In this series, each session will focus on how to innovate at one particular type of institution: Participants will learn steps that leaders and innovators can take to build an innovation-friendly culture and the five stages of institutional support needed to create a pipeline for innovation.

Co-Creation of Innovation in Higher Education: Transforming Community Colleges

Webcast Recording with Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District. The capacity to innovate for many colleges and universities is no longer just a differentiator; it is a survival factor. Join us for a recorded discussion series to hear David Kiel, author of Creating a Pipeline for Innovation Within Your College or University, interview four outstanding college and university presidents and chancellors who are leading and supporting extraordinary change efforts. In this series, each session will focus on how to innovate at one particular type of institution: Participants will learn steps that leaders and innovators can take to build an innovation-friendly culture and the five stages of institutional support needed to create a pipeline for innovation.

Be the Employer Everyone Wants: An Employer Model for Colleges & Universities

Under the weight of the pandemic, there is increased tension between job seekers and employers at higher ed institutions. Evolving the workplace has been historically difficult, so to address the hiring challenges of today, Dr. Karen Whitney recommends that we examine our past failures. Throughout her 40-year career in higher education, she has held a variety of executive and leadership positions, including vice chancellor, president, and chancellor. She will present a 3-part framework for understanding how leadership failures sacrifice mission and vision. The challenges in higher education as an employer include compensation, working conditions, and relevance. Dr. Whitney will address the following issues and how they contribute to the hiring challenges we face today:

Rethinking Hiring Processes for Efficiency & Equity

The typical amount of time it takes to fill a position is notoriously long in higher education. Especially in the current hiring environment, slow-moving departments are losing potential candidates mid-process to other institutions or to private industry. As a result, many institutions are now rethinking their hiring processes in an attempt to streamline and minimize this effect. But what impact does shortening the process have on making hiring more equitable? What do we need to consider to ensure that we accomplish both? In this free discussion-based session, you will hear about: You will come away from this session with useful, actionable ideas and insights from our subject-matter experts and your peers across the nation.

Co-Creation of Innovation in Higher Education: Making Innovation Fundamental in the Research-Intensive University

Webcast Recording with with Kevin Guskiewicz, Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The capacity to innovate for many colleges and universities is no longer just a differentiator; it is a survival factor. Join us for a recorded discussion series to hear David Kiel, author of Creating a Pipeline for Innovation Within Your College or University, interview four outstanding college and university presidents and chancellors who are leading and supporting extraordinary change efforts. In this series, each session will focus on how to innovate at one particular type of institution: Participants will learn steps that leaders and innovators can take to build an innovation-friendly culture and the five stages of institutional support needed to create a pipeline for innovation.

Inclusive Job Descriptions: Why do They Matter, and How do you Write One?

For too long, job descriptions have included the obligatory 2-3 sentences that state the institution’s commitment to diversity and an equitable working environment as a demonstration of commitment to DEI. However, today’s job seekers are looking for more than just a few sentences: they are looking for a demonstration of behaviors. Job seekers need to read an inclusive job description that showcases your institution’s core values throughout the job posting. Join us for this free discussion-based session to help you generate quality candidate pools by using more inclusive language in your position announcements. Through facilitated discussion and idea-sharing with our instructor and your peers across the nation, we will:

The 3 Critical Elements to Include in Department Chair Training

Chairs occupy an essential position on our campuses, sitting at the intersection point that connects our faculty to institutional strategy, context, and culture. They also make some of the most impactful decisions that shape the university, overseeing decisions related to hiring, promotion, and curriculum. Yet for most institutions, the support and training available to chairs is minimal.   Most of the training provided to chairs is limited to topics like how to work with HR, budgeting, and promotion & tenure. But what truly separates effective chairs from ineffective chairs are their leadership skills, such as:   Academic Impressions has been trusted to effectively train department chairs across the U.S. and Canada for over ten years. In this free webcast, we’ll discuss the keys to our success, what works and what doesn’t, and create a space for others to share their best practices.   If you need to start or enhance chair development at your own institution, we invite you to join us for this program.  

Actualize Your Purpose, Part 2: Everyday Strategies for Staying Connected to Your Well-Being

Working in higher education now requires navigating remote, hybrid environments and supporting overextended students and colleagues while navigating institutional complexity and resource precarity. To show up for this kind of work, you must intentionally center your well-being to thrive in this ever-changing environment.  In Part 1 of this workshop series, you assessed your well-being, identified your values, and crafted your own definition of success. In Part 2, you will spend time exploring strategies to stay connected to your larger purpose in your everyday work. Jennifer will show you time-based and mindset strategies such as: creating a model calendar, time tracking, thinking medium- and long-range, and more.