About the Leadership Institute
The ability to navigate the rapidly evolving field of higher education takes resiliency, flexibility, and strategic visioning. The Division of Student Development (DSD) at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) is committed to providing professional development opportunities for staff that are aligned with the mission, and values of our institution, as well as our field. The Leadership Institute is designed as a year-long cohort-based program for entry-level and mid-level full-time staff members. Although the program is being developed by and primarily for staff in DSD, a number of campus partners who work in other divisions may also participate.
Program Components
There are three key elements of the Leadership Institute:
Professional Development Sessions: Throughout the fall semester, a number of sessions will be offered to develop skills and knowledge. Participants are expected to attend all sessions in-person, which will take place on
Thursdays from 2:00 - 4:30pm (sessions will be between 60 minutes and 2.5 hours with most being 2 hours long). If exceptional circumstances (illness, family emergency, etc.) prevent someone from participating, they are asked to contact Jim Flavin (jflavin1@luc.edu) regarding an excused absence. If at all possible, this outreach to Jim should happen prior to the session that the participant will miss. If absences become a pattern for a participant, that person will need to meet with one of the coordinators to discuss their continued involvement with the program.
Project Proposal: In the spring semester, participants will propose and work on a project proposal designed to address a need or issue on campus. For DSD staff, the project should benefit students either directly, or indirectly through supporting professional development for staff. For staff in other divisions, their project should benefit students or another stakeholder group for the university. This element of the Leadership Institute is designed to help participants apply what they learned in the fall sessions.
Relationship Building: Throughout the year, participants’ experiences with the Leadership Institute will be influenced by relationships. Actions will be taken to help foster a sense of community within the cohort. In addition, each participant will be encouraged to select someone in their lives to serve as a trusted partner (likely someone in their personal lives) to help them make meaning of what they are learning, thinking, and feeling as a result of being in the program. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to connect with a professional mentor to discuss session topics and work on the project. The coordinators of the Leadership Institute can consult with participants who seek assistance with finding a mentor, but the participants will be responsible for communication and engagement with their mentors.
Desired Outcomes
As a result of completing the Leadership Institute, participants will:
- Further develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness
- Further develop leadership capacity, and leadership self-efficacy
- Enhance practical skills and knowledge to help them with their current roles, as well as to support career advancement
- Build relationships that will support them personally and professionally
- Enhance their professional networks
- Positively impact the LUC community through working on their projects
- Become more engaged in the LUC community and build institutional affinity