Academic Leaders Institute (ALI)
Introduction
The Academic Leaders Institute (ALI) offers competency-based training to support the successful preparation of faculty for leadership roles. Building upon the insights and experience of effective campus leaders, the program identifies –and helps cultivate– the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities recognized as critical to effective departmental and campus leadership. This program serves Department Chairs and Associate Chairs, Program and Institute Directors and Associate Directors, Deans and Associate Deans, as well as other interested faculty. A menu of options to promote the growth and development of faculty leaders is available, ranging from those which help to create a pipeline to leadership, orientation for newly appointed campus leaders, and ongoing opportunities for developing current leaders. You can learn more about how the competency model was developed. Questions? Email OFAFDS@ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.EDU.
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Our Offerings
New Academic Leaders Orientation: Learn the information and skills that you need to succeed in your new administrative position. Participation is required of all faculty members who are new to their role, have not held the administrative position in their unit consecutively or have not attended since 2021. This event is typically held on the Tuesday two weeks before fall classes begin. The next Orientation will be held on August 12, 2025.
Academic Leaders Mini-Conference: A yearly gathering of senior academic leaders to build an ongoing sustainable knowledge base on what it means to be an academic leader, to enhance skills of leadership, create a common knowledge base, learn tactics and strategies, and foster relationships. This event is typically held on the Friday two weeks before fall classes begin. The next Mini-conference will be held on August 15, 2025.
Workshops: Onboarding and ongoing professional development for academic leaders are offered throughout the academic year. The knowledge, skills, and abilities learned through these workshops correspond to those identified as critical actions and behaviors that ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ academic leaders must demonstrate to be effective on the job, as described in the Academic Leaders Competency Model. Leave with a concrete action or tool you can use! Learn about the resources on our campus to help you problem-solve and be an effective leader. If you have a disability and require accommodations, including ASL or captions, please contact the ADA Coordinator at adacoordinator@colorado.edu or 303-492-9725. Two weeks advance notice of need for accommodations is requested. These sessions are not recorded to create a comfortable environment for open, candid discussions and engagement.
Some of our workshops focus on topics such as:
- Addressing the Needs of LGBTQIA Students
- Responding to Concerns of Unprofessional Conduct
- Coaching for a Growth Mindset
- Social Intelligence
- Dealing with Porcupines
- The Secrets of Successful Chairs
- Facilitating Collaborative and Effective Meetings
- Supporting Teams and Individuals in Conflict
- Resiliency Skills for Faculty
- The Trauma of Oppression
- Comprehensive Review, Reappointment, and Promotion (Overview)
- Comprehensive Review, Reappointment, and Promotions (Nitty Gritty)
- Managing Microaggressions in Your Unit
- Performance Management Essentials for Academic Leaders
- Supporting Survivors: How to Respond in a Trauma-Informed Way to Someone Who Discloses a Traumatic Experience
- Leading Groups Through Conflict De-escalating Conflict
Learning Programs: More extensive professional development in critical areas leaders need, such as how to hold difficult conversations, create accountability, manage your time effectively, build trust, and influence those around you, particularly when they are resistant to change.
What is ALI?