University Institutes Leadership Development Academy

Ashland University has instituted a Leadership Development Academy that will identify leadership potential on campus and offer a year long program of seminars and leadership assessments for those in mid-management positions at the University.

“This Leadership Development Academy has grown out of the planning to address one segment of leadership development in Theme 4 of our strategic plan,” said President Dr. Frederick Finks. “Many universities do not look to the future in preparing future leaders. We are looking to develop leadership skills, recognize leadership efforts and initiative, develop planning for advancing and replacement of personnel, and provide opportunities to demonstrate leadership.”

Finks further explains, “The President’s Cabinet and the Academic Deans are spending this academic year in the same kind of experience. We began a leadership development program in August of 2009 and have had several presentations on various aspects of leadership. The self assessment exercises helped us focus on individual leadership styles and the need to work cooperatively in order to become more efficient and effective. I wanted to be sure that we went through the same kind of experiences we want to offer to others.”

The planning team for the academy consists of Dr. Finks; Tom Seddon, vice president for development; Dr. Dwight McElfresh, executive director of professional development; Dr. Dan Lawson, dean of religious life; Curtis White, vice president of information technology; and Dr. Ron Walker, professor emeritus of education. The team has drawn upon the resources of the faculty of the Colleges of Business and Economics and Education who teach and model leadership development.

“This is a great opportunity to really help mid management by establishing the processes and resources to develop and retain leaders within the University, while assuring the succession of leadership for future generations,” Seddon said. “The goal is to provide a definite professional development opportunity on campus.”

Members of the planning team noted that the academy represents a commitment to the staff members on campus. “There is so much experience and credibility on this campus and we are looking to tap into that,” McElfresh said.

“We have developed a series of presentations and individual assessments and we think we have a good program put together,” Seddon said. “It is our hope that this will become an on-going activity to provide directors and assistant directors exposure to leadership skills and opportunities.”

A series of eight sessions have been developed for the first year and these sessions will run from mid-August of 2010 to mid-April 2011 with the following schedule:
Thursday, August 12, 2010 All Day Retreat
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 9 a.m.-12 noon
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.

The sessions include:

• a day-long Retreat facilitated by members of the Leadership Development Team
• an Assessment Review facilitated by Dr. Lawson
• Servant Leadership facilitated by Dr. Finks
• Leading Effective Change and Decision-Making facilitated by Dr. Walker
• Culture and Communication facilitated by Dr. Constance Savage, assistant professor of management
• Ethics and Character facilitated by Dr. Lawson
• Goals and Values facilitated by Dr. McElfresh
• Leadership Cohort Project Day

Those wanting to be a part of the first cohort group can either be nominated by a vice president or complete the application form found on Eagleweb by the deadline of May 8, 2010, which is the day of Spring Commencement. The cohort will be limited to 15 to 20 participants. Those with questions can email leadershipdevelopment@ashland.edu or call Seddon at 5676.

The Leadership Development Planning Team suggests that each department make use of their staff development or professional development budget line to fund the expenses for their department’s cohort member.

More information, including the specific details of each session, will be made available at a later date.