Join the Associated College of the Midwest for a virtual, yearlong professional development series crafted for both new and experienced ACM member college department chairs. This pilot program will equip chairs with the frameworks and skills to lead effectively within their department and broader institution, especially in moments of profound change.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
ACM’s program is framed around the core tenets of experiential learning: the best way to develop self-awareness and cultivate your leadership skills is to do the work of a leader.
Over the 2024-25 academic year, you will join a community of practice—consisting of fellow department chairs from other ACM institutions—to develop and implement new initiatives, processes, or norms in your department. Virtual sessions will guide you through a structured approach: from identifying your leadership style(s), analyzing your department’s current dynamics, and storytelling to identifying areas ripe to exercise your leadership.
You’ll gain practical tools for planning and implementing change, receive ongoing feedback, and refine your strategies through iterative reflection and adjustment. By the end of the program, you’ll have a well-defined plan for leading change and a deeper understanding of your leadership style(s) and growth areas. This opportunity is offered at no cost to ACM institutions, with up to three participants per college.
Participants who complete the entire series will receive a $200 stipend from ACM in recognition of their time investment (payable in Spring 2025).
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You will:
- Gain Practical Insights into Departmental Leadership: Develop a working understanding of effective strategies and best practices for achieving departmental goals and initiatives within the unique context of a residential liberal arts college.
- Enhance Personal Leadership Skills: Explore and articulate your personal leadership philosophy, gain insight into your preferred ways of working, and identify key areas for growth and development as a department chair.
- Execute and Reflect on a Change Project: Plan, implement, and evaluate a departmental change project, applying the frameworks and tools provided during the program. Reflect on your experiences to refine your approach to leadership and change management.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
To keep the numbers manageable for an initial pilot, colleges may nominate/select up to three individuals serving as current department chairs to participate.
Please complete this registration form by September 17, 2024. Late registrants may be accepted as space is available.
If more than three registrations are received from a campus, participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If not all spots are claimed, remaining spots will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
PROGRAM
Participants will take part in 5 virtual synchronous sessions. Recognizing that scheduling is often challenging, ACM will offer each session twice (participants participate in either the Thursday or Friday cohort). Sessions will not be recorded to encourage candor.
This program is delivered as a community of practice—a group of people who share a common concern, set of problems, or interest in a topic and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. As a result, attendance and active participation matter.
| Thursday Cohort | Friday Cohort |
| Sept 19; 1 – 4 pm (central) | Sept 20; 1 – 4 pm (central) |
| Oct 17; 2 – 4 pm (central) | Oct 18; 2 – 4 pm (central) |
| Nov 14; 2 – 4 pm (central) | Nov 15; 2 – 4 pm (central) |
| December – no meeting, optional consultation | December – no meeting, optional consultation |
| Feb 6; 2 – 4 pm (central) | Feb 7; 2 – 4 pm (central) |
| Apr 10; 2 – 4 pm (central) | Apr 11; 2 – 4 pm (central) |
Participants will be asked to spend up to an hour before each session engaged in preparatory work, such as reading articles.
Please contact [email protected] with questions about this program.
