Leadership Exploration Program

The goal of UA ENGAGE, funded through the campus NSF ADVANCE grant, is to implement strategies that promote inclusiveness in opportunities for advancement for faculty in academic workplaces and the academic profession. To address various aspects of academic culture and institutional structure that may differentially affect women faculty and academic administrators, the UA ENGAGE Leadership Exploration Program promotes leadership exploration and capacity building.

Why is this program important?

Many faculty do not think of themselves as leaders or seriously consider leadership opportunities. Research shows that this is especially true for faculty who do not see role models or mentors like them in leadership roles.

The ENGAGE Leadership Exploration Program is targeting this challenging problem at the University of Arkansas. It aims to help mid-career faculty evaluate whether a leadership role would align with their personal goals; it also seeks to strengthen participants' mentoring network and help them initiate the planning process required to achieve a leadership role. 

What is the content and structure of the program?

This cohort-based program uses a flexible flipped-classroom model, with pre-work (readings, videos) used as preparation for face-to-face sessions. Held annually during the Spring semester, the four 2-hour sessions consist of discussions with peers, a panel with administrators and others in leadership roles across campus, and subject-matter expert presentation.

The topics covered include:

  1. Identification of leadership values and strengths
  2. Selection of role models and mentors
  3. Creation of a toolkit that supports mental and physical health
  4. Construction of a leadership intention map to guide future experiences and exploration

Participants are nominated by their colleges and selected on the basis of established career success and evidence of leadership potential. Typically, nominees are at the Associate Professor level or higher. Calls for nominations are sent to Deans each Fall.

For questions about the program, please contact uaengage@uark.edu.