Leadership Program

Wellesley's House Blend

To:   Administrative Staff Employees

Fr:    Carolyn Slaboden, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources

Re:   Wellesley College Leadership Development Program, September 2013-May 2014

I am pleased to announce the second Wellesley College Leadership Development Program, in which another cohort of administrative staff will be able to participate in this comprehensive initiative.    The program is Wellesley – specific, and it is designed to build the College’s capacity for cross-functional collaboration and creative problem solving throughout the College.  The program will provide an opportunity for selected administrative employees to sharpen their supervisory, management, and leadership skills, to work on cross-institutional initiatives, and to help prepare for future leadership roles.

Program Details

This year-long program will consist of nine days of workshops distributed over two terms.  The first term will address strengthening supervisory and management skills, using particpants’ current work situations to apply new skills and tools.  The second term will focus on leadership concepts and skills, and will include practice opportunities within cross-functional learning projects.  The cohort will consist of approximately 15 employees from across the College who will be selected by the senior leadership to participate.  We anticipate that interest may exceed capacity as it did with the current year’s program.

Goals for Participants

If selected for the Wellesley College Leadership Program, participants will:

  • Focus on strengthening their skills as a supervisor, manager, and leader
  • Experience working on cross-institutional initiatives
  • Gain recognition for their commitment to the College
  • Enhance cross-institutional collegiality by working with colleagues from other areas
  • Learn the importance of managing effectively in a diverse and inclusive workplace

  • Prepare for future leadership opportunities

To support these goals, sessions will focus on:

  • Understanding yourself and your supervisory role
  • Specific supervisory and management skills needed for leadership
  • Basics of team building, meeting management, and managing change
  • Meeting leaders in various roles at the College
  • Leadership concepts and practices within the context of cross-functional action learning projects

 

Criteria for Selection

Employees may self-nominate, or nominate someone with whom they have worked.  Department heads and managers may nominate employees who they believe meet the following criteria in addition to excelling in their current positions:

  • Interest in broadening their contributions to the College
  • Ability to collaborate
  • Commitment to continuing their professional development
  • Commitment to bettering the College as a whole
  

 

Nomination Process

The goal is to have a very open process.  Each nominator must submit the attached application, including a paragraph explaining how the individual meets the criteria outlined above.  Nomination s will be submitted to Carolyn Slaboden, Interim Co-Director of Human Resources, who will assemble the information, review all nominations with the applicable division head, and narrow the slate to a proposed cohort.  The slate will be brought to the President’s Cabinet for final approval.  The goal is to develop a cohort that reflects the diversity of roles and functions at the College.  Those who are selected will be notified prior to the end of the academic year.   An initial gathering of the group will take place before the summer to meet one another, to meet the facilitators and to establish the expectations for the program.

 

Nomination Form

Download the nomination form and apply by April 15.