The University of Notre Dame is launching a new professional development program aimed at helping its next generation of leaders gain a fuller understanding of the University’s Catholic mission and the critical skills necessary for values-based leadership.
ND LEAD aims to prepare faculty members and others who could one day take key leadership positions at the University. This includes, but is not limited to, positions such as department chairs, and directorships of centers and institutes.
“Given the uniqueness and importance of the Notre Dame mission, it is essential that we consider and prepare leaders well in advance of the need actually arising,” said Don Pope-Davis, the vice president and associate provost who is heading the development of ND LEAD. “This program will not only strengthen the Academy’s leadership pipeline, but will be an opportunity for participants to further develop their self-awareness as leaders and management capabilities.”
Initiated by the Notre Dame Office of the Provost, the inaugural nine-month program will begin this month with a cohort of up to 16 participants. These participants are members of the University community who have been identified as potential leaders by college deans, department chairs and directors of centers and institutes.
Individuals at the University are also able to self-nominate for ND LEAD. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Aug. 3 (Wednesday)
The program is sponsored by the Office of the Provost in collaboration with the Executive Education Department in the Mendoza College of Business. They have worked together for more than a year in designing and developing ND LEAD. The program incorporates feedback received from deans and potential participants.
ND LEAD’s parallel goal is to strengthen academic leadership across the University through greater self-awareness, a deeper understanding of the University’s mission and operations, and enhanced complex decision-making and communication skills essential for management. The ND LEAD experience aims to support these individuals in further connecting them to the University’s mission, developing their leadership and management capabilities, and stewarding resources.
“The ND LEAD Program is an opportunity for individuals to explore and strengthen their management and leadership capabilities,” said Sharon Keane, director of Executive Education at the Mendoza College of Business. “Carefully selected faculty, facilitators and presenters will provide key frameworks, tools and methodologies that participants may apply in their professional life. The program represents a very pro-active effort to prepare individuals for leadership.”
Participants attend seven sessions, which integrate a number of educational approaches, from classroom instruction and individual study, to small-group and panel discussions. They also will have the opportunity to hear from current senior Notre Dame leaders about their leadership experiences and stewardship perspectives.
To apply for the ND LEAD program, click here.
Contact: Don Pope-Davis, dpd@nd.edu; or Sharon Keane, keane.11@nd.edu