Starting Career Planning as Mid-Career Faculty 

Mid-career is often a turning point for faculty—some aspects of the work still spark joy and fulfillment, while others feel draining or disconnected from what matters most. This webcast will invite you to pause and reflect:   Through guided reflection and examples, you’ll explore how these questions can open the door to intentional career planning. You’ll also get a preview of our Mid-Career Moves course, which provides a step-by-step framework for creating a career plan that aligns with your values and goals. Join us to discover how clarifying what brings you joy—and what doesn’t—can be the starting point for mapping a sustainable and meaningful next stage in your career. 

Five Paths to Leadership® Results Debrief Session

Now included in membership! Academic Impressions’ Five Paths to Leadership Assessment has been leveraged in our leadership programs for years. Thousands of leaders in higher ed have benefited from this dynamic model that explores and reveals how one’s leadership styles manifest under normal circumstances—and how they change under stress.  Having a deeper understanding of your own leadership styles in varying situations increases your self-awareness, enhances your emotional quotient, and allows you to more effectively plan, communicate, strategize, and, ultimately, lead.   Join us to learn what your own leadership styles are, how they might change under stress, and how this can apply to your team. Take the assessment prior to attending, and bring your results: https://www.academicimpressions.com/five-paths-self-assessment-members/    During the workshop, we’ll walk through: 

Essential Leadership Skills for Department Chairs

Leading as an academic department chair is a challenging role, requiring the navigation of competing priorities, resource constraints, and an evolving higher education landscape. This two-day, in-person workshop is designed to equip department chairs with practical strategies to lead effectively. On day one, participants will reflect on their leadership approach, focusing on enhancing influence, engagement, and collaboration. Day two will address managing conflict, offering tools and techniques to handle challenging situations with confidence and ease.   To preserve an intimate and productive experience, this workshop is capped at 30 attendees.

Best Practices in Faculty Development: Supporting Aspiring and Emerging Faculty Leaders

Universities recognize the importance of developing faculty leaders, but many face a common challenge: How do you sustain the momentum of leadership programs once a cohort finishes—especially when leadership opportunities on campus are limited?    In the first session of our Best Practices in Faculty Development series, join guest speaker Margie Ferguson as she shares how she partnered with Academic Impressions to design and implement a leadership program that supports both new and established leaders at Indiana University, Indianapolis. You’ll gain insights into:    Join us live for the chance to ask questions and learn about how to strengthen faculty development—especially for aspiring faculty leaders.

Customer Service Skills Certification Course – February 2 Cohort

Earn the only customer service certification built for higher/post-secondary education. In just four weeks, this blended course will equip you with practical tools to improve service culture, support front-line teams, and handle challenging interactions with empathy and professionalism. With guided reflection and peer discussion, you’ll apply what you learn directly to your campus role—no matter your department or title.

Supervision Certificate Program – November 3 Cohort

Often in higher education, individuals move into a supervisory role without the necessary tools and skills to be successful. Particularly in today’s challenging environments, effective supervision is key to building an effective culture where each individual can contribute to team success. Join us online for a four-week cohort based program leveraging both asynchronous and synchronous learning specifically designed for higher education supervisors who are new to their roles, looking to deepen their skills, or for those who aspire to supervisor roles. Once you have completed the asynchronous modules of the course, you’ll receive your digital badge and certification. For the most comprehensive experience, we recommend you also attend the live sessions or watch recordings of them to learn some additional tips and skills in feedback and career growth.

OU’s Provost’s Leadership Development Program

Agenda topics are subject to change based on ongoing collaboration between OU and Academic Impressions. Please revisit this page for updated pre-work and other information in advance of each session.  September 12 | Empowered Leadership  12 – 4pm Central  There is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Leadership is contextual and situational and ultimately the most successful approach is that which is authentic to the leader. In this session, we’ll explore the differences between management and leadership and we’ll identify the qualities, skills and actions effective leaders embrace.  You will begin to create a personalized definition of leadership that is unique to you.  You’ll also be joined by other OU leaders and you’ll hear about their leadership journeys.    Want More Training?  Check out the following: Develop Your Leadership Superpower:  Improving Self-Awareness:  This training is specifically designed for department chairs, but it can be equally helpful for faculty, program directors and associate deans.  In this course, you will start building your self-awareness superpower by learning about Tasha Eurich’s four archetypes of self-awareness—Introspectors, Seekers, Pleasers, and the Aware—and you’ll assess which archetype you represent.   Inclusive Leadership Certificate Program:  Build Your Skills and Self-Awareness:  This program is designed for any/all leaders.  It’ll help you […]

Five Paths to Leadership® Results Debrief Session

Now included in membership! Academic Impressions’ Five Paths to Leadership Assessment has been leveraged in our leadership programs for years. Thousands of leaders in higher ed have benefited from this dynamic model that explores and reveals how one’s leadership styles manifest under normal circumstances—and how they change under stress.  Having a deeper understanding of your own leadership styles in varying situations increases your self-awareness, enhances your emotional quotient, and allows you to more effectively plan, communicate, strategize, and, ultimately, lead.   Join us to learn what your own leadership styles are, how they might change under stress, and how this can apply to your team. Take the assessment prior to attending, and bring your results: https://www.academicimpressions.com/five-paths-self-assessment-members/    During the workshop, we’ll walk through: 

Managing Difficult Faculty and Staff

As a supervisor or leader, responding to difficult faculty or staff is some of the most stressful but rewarding work you can do—if you can do it right. Addressing difficult behavior in those who work for you can transform your team from closed off and avoidant to effective and collaborative. But how do you do this work?  Join us for an in-person workshop to learn how to effectively manage difficult behaviors on your team while still leading with empathy. This unique experience will allow you to:    It can take years to perfect the art of managing difficult faculty or staff when you’re doing it on your own. Come to this workshop and jump-start the process to give yourself a leg up on the most taxing part of your job. 

From Vision to Action: Strategic Planning for a Lasting Impact

This 2-day strategic planning workshop equips higher ed leaders with the tools to create actionable, sustainable strategies aligned with institutional goals. Using design thinking and collaboration, participants will turn broad visions into practical steps for lasting success. You’ll learn to build strategies that inspire buy-in, ensure alignment, and anticipate future challenges.     By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to translate their institutional visions into clear, actionable strategies that position them for lasting success.