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Kara PenfieldLeadership Fundamentals is a cohort-based leadership program that meets throughout the academic year. The program focuses on leadership assessments and key topics, concepts, and models, building specific skills through small group mentoring and coaching.

Kara Penfield, the CFE Senior Leadership Consultant, will direct the 2023-24 Leadership Fundamentals program. Sessions will occur both in person and over Zoom.

Who Should Apply? 

All career stages, aspiring leaders, new leaders, established leaders.

Apply for Leadership Fundamentals

Faculty can apply directly or be nominated. A letter of support from the Chair is part of the application. Applications for 2023-24 are closed.

Session Topics and Schedule

Developing Core Skills for Leadership

Kick Off Lunch for all participants

September 8, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. In person.

Individual Participant Session 1 – Introductions

  • Establish rapport between program facilitator and participants.
  • Gain clarity on individual goals and aspired outcomes for program

August 2023, scheduled individually. Zoom.

Building Community and Connection

  • Establish rapport among cohort
  • Clarify intention and expectations for LF Program
  • Build cohort community and connection

September 22, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. In person.

Coaching Skills for Academic Leaders – Part 1

  • Build relationships and rust
  • Have deeply curious conversations
  • Conscious listening

October 20, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Coaching Skills for Academic Leaders – Part 2

  • Ask quality questions
  • Set goals

November 17, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Understanding Yourself as a Leader

Individual Preferences and Values

  • Understand individual preferences
  • Define individual values

December 8, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Individual Participant Session 2 – Check In

  • Establish rapport between program facilitator and participants.
  • Gain clarity on individual goals and aspired outcomes for program

January 2024, scheduled individually. Zoom.

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership in Higher Education

  • Review emotional intelligence
  • Create your emotional storyboard

January 26, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education Leadership

  • Recognize your personal experience, worldview, and biases
  • Honor the experience, world view, and biases of others

February 9, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Leading Teams

Building or Renovating Academic Teams

  • Build a new team
  • Renovate an existing team

March 8, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Collaboration in Academic Teams

  • Create and participate on collaborative teams
  • Identify and resolve obstacles to collaborative teams

April 12, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

Impacting the Future

Setting Your Intentions: Distill – Describe – Commit

  • Commit to future growth as a leader
  • Design your future plans as a leader

April 26, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In person.

CFE Leadership Celebration and Conversation

  • Celebrate CFE program graduates
  • Leadership panel discussion

May 8. In person.