Supporting Mid-Level Academic Leadership
Program Mission
To support the professional development of faculty interested in academic leadership roles who will foster a positive working environment, explore opportunities within the disciplines they oversee to advance William & Mary's strategic objectives, and influence change where necessary to improve the effectiveness of their units.
Summary of Sessions Topics
The 2025 mid-level Supporting Mid-level Academic Leadership Program offers two options for participation. Participants may opt to attend individual sessions based on their interest and time constraints or they may apply to be part of the 2025 cohort of mid-level leaders and commit to attending all six sessions. Those in the cohort will receive additional resources and mentoring sessions that focus on oneself as a leader, using leadership tools to help support growth as a leader, and finally work collaboratively to build a network of support for faculty with leadership aspirations. All sessions will include strategies to support engagement, equity and inclusivity. Faculty experts on campus will help lead several of the sessions.
Session 1 — The Power of Mid-level Academic Leaders: Identifying Individual Leadership Strengths (2 hour; January 16th 1 pm-3 pm)
- Review of the hybrid role of mid-level faculty leaders in peer leadership and the power of mid-level leaders. The need to lead up, across and down — getting past the "us versus them" mindset.
- Finding your voice as a leader through framing, storytelling, the language of leadership and observable behaviors.
Session 2 — How To Be an Inclusive Leader (February 11th 11 am-Noon)
- Identifying and building your inclusive leader framework — what's your story?
- Incorporating all voices in the room — leading with questions and co-creating ways forward.
Session 3 — How To Have the Hard Conversations You Want To Avoid (February 26th 1 pm-2 pm)
- Practicing how to work with challenging interpersonal dynamics; running effective meetings (dealing with the saboteur, the meeting hijacker, the passive observer, the side alley, etc.)
- Understanding conflict styles and the art of diplomacy.
Session 4 — Developing a deep Understanding of Strategic Planning (March 20th 1 pm-2 pm)
- Reviewing the various stages of the strategic planning process.
- Building inclusivity of various stakeholders into planning efforts.
Session 5 — Developing Effective Teams (April 1st 11 am-Noon)
- Creating trusting environments for teamwork.
- Understanding team dynamics and negotiating the storming pace of team building.
Session 6 — Moving Toward Action (April 18th 1 pm-3 pm)
- Moving ideas into action and acquiring strategies to build collaboration.
- Making little changes for bigger outcomes.
Format
- Individual stand alone sessions
- Participation in the 2025 Mid-level Academic Leadership Cohort
Apply for 2025 Leadership Cohort
