Virginia Tech®home

Academic Leaders Program

What began several years ago as a two-day orientation held in the late summer for new department heads has now evolved into a semester-long series of networking and learning workshops designed for new and aspiring academic leaders. The program kicks off with a full-day workshop in mid-August, and continues throughout the fall semester with a series of shorter workshops and discussions. This Academic Leaders Program is offered not just for new department heads (though they remain a key target audience), but to anyone in an academic leadership role—at any level—who may benefit from the topics covered as well as networking with other campus leaders. Faculty who are being developed for or may be considering future leadership roles are also welcome to attend.

View the Fall 2022 Academic Leaders Program Overview (PDF)

This fall’s Academic Leaders Program will kick off in August and meet weekly throughout the semester. To best encourage networking, relationship building, and collaboration we will meet in person throughout the semester.

Materials for the Fall 2022 Program

Information

Friday, August 13
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Kickoff Workshop - Featuring information and discussion on academic leadership perspectives at Virginia Tech, an academic leaders panel discussion, and networking with other academic leaders.

Wednesday, August 24
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Timely Tips for Department Heads – Important information for department heads related to faculty recruitment and development resources, practices, and policies.

Note: This session is specifically designed for new department heads, chairs, and other academic unit leaders who support tenure-track faculty. It is optional for those in other roles.

Tuesday, August 30
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leadership Theory Exploration – Exploration of leadership theories and approaches, including Transformational, Authentic, Participative, Servant, and Resonant Leadership models.
 

Tuesday, September 6
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leading in Ambiguity – Information and conversation about how to lead in ambiguous, rapidly changing times.
 

Tuesday, September 13
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leadership Vision – Refining your vision and supporting strategies to enable you to lead toward meaningful results.
 

Tuesday, September 20
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leadership Communication – Leveraging transparency and committing to courageous conversations.
 

Tuesday, September 27
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

A Conversation with the Provost will highlight updates, strategies, and leadership perspective from our chief academic officer.

Tuesday, October 4
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leadership Facilitation – Your role in supporting and advancing motivation and engagement.
 

Tuesday, October 11
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leader Resilience – The importance of resilience for your role as a leader, and in supporting those you lead in challenging times.
 

Tuesday, October 18
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Data-Informed Decision Making – Data – both quantitative and qualitative – is key to informing decisions that support strategic management and leadership needs. A panel of current academic leaders will discuss their strategies and experiences and answer questions.

Tuesday, October 25
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Fostering Collaboration – Keys for encouraging and fostering collaboration, in your role as leader, and for those you lead.

Tuesday, November 1
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leading Change – Information about the phases of transition involved in navigating change, and how to lead in an informed and supportive way through transitions.

Tuesday, November 8
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leader Relationships – Tools, resources, and practices to support building productive, authentic relationships as a leader, including building and preserving trust.

Tusday, November 15
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leveraging Difference – Tools, resources, and practices to navigate and leverage differences in your people, programs, and partners.

Tuesday, November 22
No Meeting – Thanksgiving Break
 

Tuesday, November 29
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Leadership Mentoring – Building your leadership mentor map, identifying needs, and approaches for seeking out mentoring for your ongoing leadership development.

Tuesday, December 6
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

ALP Concluding Reception – A chance to celebrate your semester, with each other and your department leaders, deans, and nominators!
 

Academic Leaders Program Resources

View the full program information and Resources for Academic Leaders.

Questions?

Email Amy Hogan