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Live Events

Re-imagining Annual Giving: Optimizing Technology to Acquire Donors and Increase Donor Loyalty

Fact #1: It’s becoming more competitive to get the attention of your donors.  Fact #2: Technology is changing faster than ever before and (Fact #3) it’s getting harder to keep track of the hottest trends that can help you in your shop.  If you’re wondering how to solve all three of these problems, this conference is for you.  As the founder of the fastest-growing professional association in philanthropy, our expert speaker Louis Diez will share the tried-and-true practices that he’s developed by interacting with hundreds of nonprofit professionals committed to improving donor participation. This, along with his extensive research experience, gives him the unique perspective to see what is working right now, understand why it works, and help annual fund shops quickly and efficiently implement these strategies. At this event, Louis will also share relevant donor psychology trends that must be incorporated to better inform the way we communicate with donors.   Not only will you obtain the frameworks for explaining your work to others, but you will also have the unique opportunity to try on these donor communication tactics for your own shop in real-time. If implementing up-to-date digital communication strategies feels intimidating, rest assured that Louis will address your […]

Mastering the Art and Science of Discovery Visits

Authentically navigating the discovery and qualification process is an essential skillset that gift officers need to sustain their donor base. Knowing how to ask questions, listen with curiosity, and unlock meaningful conversations with prospective donors can be the starting point for a principal or transformational gift in the future.  Join us for this in-person conference where you will build your unique discovery work toolkit. Whether you’re new to fundraising work, want to refresh your perspective on discovery visits, or looking to strengthen the way your team engages with new donors, you’ll benefit from this conference as you: 

Mastering the Art and Science of Discovery Visits

Skillfully navigating the discovery and qualification process is an essential skillset that gift officers need for success. Without knowing how to ask the right types of insightful questions that unlock conversations with prospects, major gift officers and advancement shops may struggle to increase their donor base. This can impact future fundraising goals, potentially hindering the long-term viability of your institution from making the case for principal or transformational gifts.  Join us at this conference to build your unique discovery work toolkit by exploring different strategies for starting the relationship with and engaging with prospective donors. Not only will you walk away with concrete examples of how to secure meetings with your best prospects, what questions to ask, and how to map out next steps, but you will also be able to test your approach with your peers and receive valuable feedback and insights from our expert speaker. 

Effective Strategies to Recruit and Onboard Underrepresented Faculty  

Even though national student demographics have dramatically changed over the past 20+ years, faculty demographics do not reflect these changes. We know that in order to achieve academic and inclusive excellence, institutions must commit to hiring and retaining faculty members from underrepresented groups. Our present-day realities, such as the lingering impact of the pandemic, anti-DEI legislation, aspirations for the faculty body to mirror the diversity of the student body, and the enrollment cliff, necessitate that hiring managers and academic leaders seek forward-thinking solutions for hiring and recruiting underrepresented faculty.  Join us for this highly interactive in-person conference to gain the tools and strategies you need to recruit and onboard faculty members from underrepresented demographics. With the help of our expert speaker panel, you will have the time, space, and support to:  

Mastering Frontline Customer Service: Strategies for Leadership and Success

Supporting your team in frontline customer service roles can be challenging. On a daily basis, you likely see members of your staff striving to meet customer demands, manage volatile situations, and muddle through mundane tasks—all while managing their own stress to seek workplace satisfaction. Although meeting the needs of students, families, staff, and faculty are the primary goals of your frontline team, your goal is to provide them with the skills and training necessary to navigate their difficult work.    This one-and-a-half day in-person conference is designed for your employees who work on the frontline in higher education. This unique opportunity will engage your team in learning about their own leadership styles to enhance customer service in three critical ways, in order to:   

Public Speaking Bootcamp: A Hands-On Approach to Developing and Delivering Effective Communication 

Communication is a critical skill for leaders. As challenges facing higher education grow more complex and communication methods more diverse, the need to feel confident in your ability to speak publicly is essential.  This bootcamp, spanning four two-hour sessions, is led and facilitated by an experienced higher education leader with extensive expertise in teaching and engaging in public speaking. You will practice essential skills such as developing clear and effective content, how to understand and reduce public speaking anxiety, and how to confidently deliver your message.    Highlights of this program include:   A Highly Personalized Experience Your registration for this bootcamp includes four weekly small-group sessions with our expert faculty, as well as feedback and learning as a part of a cohort of learners. A hallmark of the Academic Impressions bootcamp experience, this focused attention will provide you with the space and time to identify and work toward your public speaking goals and to also identify next steps to keep you learning and growing beyond the four sessions. To preserve the intimate and interactive nature of this training, the bootcamp is limited to 12 participants. Register early to reserve your spot! You can also consider adding three success coaching sessions with […]

Inclusive Leadership Certificate Program: Build Your Skills and Self-Awareness – June Cohort

Effective leadership is inclusive leadership. When our colleagues feel they can show up authentically in all aspects of their identities and contribute without fear of repercussion, we’re building stronger teams and stronger organizations. But this doesn’t happen automatically—it takes time, intention, and continuous learning and growth.  Our Inclusive Leadership Certificate Program: Build Your Skills and Self-Awareness is designed as a first step on that journey. Academic Impressions’ leadership model takes a holistic approach to leadership across four key dimensions: self-awareness and personal development, interpersonal leadership skills, team development, and leading at the organizational level. This program takes you on a deep dive into self-awareness and personal development to help you to become a more inclusive leader. You can participate individually or with your team in this 4-week program, which explores four key questions:  Each week includes resources and practical strategies to help you to lead more inclusively. The course culminates in a draft of your inclusive leadership philosophy which you can use as a guide in the future—because this work does not end with the conclusion of the program. 

Self-Awareness as Your Superpower: A Certificate Program for Department Chairs (April Cohort)

They lead the way they do because they study their own attitudes, behaviors, and motives. However, the most effective department chairs also practice “other-awareness,” which means that they study the impact of their attitudes, behaviors, and motives on others. And this can be your superpower, because it increases your effectiveness in developing meaningful relationships with your stakeholders, including your dean, faculty, staff, and students.  Join us for a four-week certificate program designed to help you build your self-awareness superpower.  Throughout this course, you’ll explore:    As a final activity, you will create a personalized definition of leadership—something that communicates who you are as a leader—and you’ll discuss with your peers how you can apply it to a current leadership challenge you’re facing now.   

Self-Awareness as Your Superpower: A Certificate Program for Department Chairs (January Cohort) 

Self-awareness lies at the heart of effective leadership. A self-aware department chair understands why they lead the way they do because they study their own attitudes, behaviors, and motives. However, the most effective department chairs also practice “other-awareness,” which means that they study the impact of their attitudes, behaviors, and motives on others. And this can be your superpower, because it increases your effectiveness in developing meaningful relationships with your stakeholders, including your dean, faculty, staff, and students.  Join us for a four-week certificate program designed to help you build your self-awareness superpower.  Throughout this course, you’ll explore:    As a final activity, you will create a personalized definition of leadership—something that communicates who you are as a leader—and you’ll discuss with your peers how you can apply it to a current leadership challenge you’re facing now.   

Five Paths to Leadership℠ Results Debrief Session (January 26, 2024)

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. During the workshop, we’ll walk through:

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