Excellence in Academic Leadership Program

Empowering Experienced Academic Leaders

The Center for Faculty Development and Advancement (CFDA), within the Office of Faculty Affairs, invites experienced academic unit heads to apply for the Spring 2026 cohort of the Excellence in Academic Leadership program. Through interactive sessions and peer-learning forums, this program strengthens your leadership toolkit, expands your professional network, and positions your department for excellence.

Timeline: Applications Nov 12–Dec 5 2025 | Notifications by Dec 12 2025 | Program runs Jan–Apr 2026 via ZOOM 

Apply now → Click Here

Program Goals

The EAL program is specifically tailored to:

  • Enhance leadership skills through targeted workshops and discussions.
  • Build self-awareness and foster personal growth.
  • Strengthen interpersonal and organizational leadership strategies.
  • Provide structured opportunities for reflective practice and peer learning.
  • Support participants on their continuing leadership journeys.

Why Participate?

By joining the EAL program, academic leaders will:

  • Gain actionable insights to enhance their leadership effectiveness.
  • Build a strong network of peers for ongoing support and collaboration.
  • Strengthen their ability to foster innovation and excellence within their units.

Program Eligibility

The EAL program is open to:

  • Experienced academic leaders, including department heads, division heads, school directors, and Division of Academic Affairs (DAA) leaders at Commonwealth Campuses.
  • Participants must have two or more years of experience in their current leadership roles.
  • Eligible leaders are selected based on their application.
  • All sessions are held via Zoom to allow for participation from administrators across the Commonwealth.

To participate, selected academic leaders must be available for the five content sessions and three Critical Friends sessions. For a full list of dates, see below. If you are interested in participating, please complete the application at the link listed above. 

Spring 2026 Program Schedule and Topics

The Spring 2026 Excellence in Academic Leadership (EAL) program meets on various Friday afternoons from January through April via Zoom. Each session builds on key aspects of academic leadership, blending evidence-informed frameworks with peer discussion and reflection.

Program Launch

January 9, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
An introduction to the EAL community, goals, and expectations. Participants connect with colleagues from across the University and begin exploring their leadership strengths, challenges, and aspirations.

Session 1: Leadership from Within

January 23, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Explore the foundations of effective academic leadership, including understanding your role within Penn State’s structure, balancing leadership and management, and aligning personal values with institutional ethics and strategy.

Session 2: Leadership through Connection

February 13, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Examine approaches to leading across and beyond your unit. Topics include communication, negotiation, and influence; managing time and priorities; and leading through change while fostering trust and collaboration.

Session 3: Leading from the Middle

February 27, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Focus on the people side of leadership—building belonging, leading difficult conversations, and promoting accountability and fairness in evaluation and decision-making.

Session 4: Leadership in Action

March 27, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Strengthen strategic thinking and planning skills by exploring data-informed decision-making, student-centered leadership, and methods for aligning program goals with the University’s academic mission.

Session 5: Financial Stewardship

April 3, 2026, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
Gain a deeper understanding of Penn State’s budget structures and funding streams. Learn how to advocate effectively for programs, collaborate with development officers, and make resource decisions that advance unit priorities.

Critical Friends Sessions

Interspersed throughout the semester, Critical Friends sessions provide small-group forums where participants discuss leadership challenges, share feedback, and explore practical strategies in a confidential environment. Rooted in the Critical Friends model of reflective dialogue, these sessions help participants build community, strengthen problem-solving skills, and apply concepts from the content sessions to their real-world leadership contexts.

Spring 2026 Critical Friends sessions will be held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Friday, January 30, 2026

  • Friday, February 20, 2026

  • Friday, March 20, 2026