CONNECT Collaborative Leadership Development Program

Click here to access the CLDP application form for non-CONNECT institutions. (pdf)

Summary

Human Resource directors from the six CONNECT institutions combine efforts and expertise to host a professional development series designed to enhance the leadership skills and competencies of mid-level professionals. The program curriculum focuses on topics such as communication skills, diversity awareness, conflict resolution, collective bargaining, labor relations, and performance management. A cohort of 40 participants from CONNECT institutions and other colleges attend eight, day-long sessions which rotate among the six CONNECT campuses. Both in-house expertise as well as outside consultants are on hand to provide high-quality professional development.

Activity Description

In support of its mission, CONNECT engages in the sharing of institutional resources and expertise. The Collaborative Leadership Development Program is a model example of such a collaborative effort. A discussion between statewide human resource directors revealed the common challenge of developing leadership and management skills for mid-level professionals. It was agreed that to offer high-quality, affordable, and convenient professional development it was best to share resources and expertise. Collaborative efforts led to the creation of a professional development seminar series for mid-level managers that focused on enhancing leadership skills and competencies specific to higher education. Training sessions are held once per month from October through May and the locations rotate among the six CONNECT campuses. Seminars are conducted by a combination of in-house human resource experts, in-house counsel, and outside consultants.

Session Topics:

• SESSION 1- (October) Leadership & Change : Using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) assessment tool, gain valuable insight into your leadership style and abilities and walk away with the skills necessary to guide your staff smoothly through the change process
• SESSION 2 - (November) Valuing Diversity: This experiential workshop celebrates differences and similarities, identifies misinformation about other groups, teaches way to challenge hurtful comments and actions, and models skills to become allies to groups to which we do not belong. Valuing Diversity workshop is developed by the National Coalition Building Institute and is led by an NCBI trained facilitator.
• SESSION 3 - (December) Communicating as a Leader: This workshop will help potential leaders improve their communication skills by focusing on shaping their message and gaining their leadership voice. Participants will learn to recognize common communication barriers as well as how to be proactive in their communication style. In addition, participants will learn creative ways to communicate.
• SESSION 4 - (January) Legal Issues in Higher Education: Gain a comprehensive picture of the diverse legal issues shaping all aspects of higher education. Acquire practical, hands-on ways to implement best practices, policies, programs and ideas. FERPA, HIPPA, ADAA, FMLA, CORI, SORI, and Sexual Harassment will be discussed.
• SESSION 5 - (February) Collective Bargaining: This informative and interactive session will focus on those areas of labor relations which tend to generate the most questions and challenges. Attorneys representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State and Community Colleges will facilitate this workshop and cover topics including labor law, grievance procedures, disciplinary action, evaluation and labor relations. This session is beneficial to all participants regardless of your institutions status.
• SESSION 6 - (March) Conflict Resolution: In this highly interactive workshop you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about yourself and others, and become better equipped to deal with the differences, disagreements, and disputes in today’s workplace.
• SESSION 7 - (April) Performance Management: Performance management is a continuous process of identifying, measuring, and developing the performance of individuals and teams and aligning performance with the strategic goals of the organization. Learn how to develop an ongoing process of communicating and managing performance expectations. Examine your current performance management tools and get practical tips on how to facilitate getting the best from your staff.
• SESSION 8 - (May) PROGRAM COMPLETION: In this final session, participants will be encouraged to reflect on their CLDP experience while being motivated by our closing motivational speaker. Participants will receive a certificate of participation along with a parting gift.

Impact/Results of the Activity:

• The creation of a professional development seminar series that is high in quality, affordable for participating institutions and convenient for attendees
• The program is structured using approximately 30% in-house expertise and 70% outside consultants, resulting in a cost of only $400 per CONNECT institution participant and $800 for non-CONNECT institution participants.
• Non-CONNECT institutions who have participated in the program include Bunker Hill Community College, Framingham State College, Roxbury Community College, and Massachusetts College of Art.

Why program/activity is considered a best practice?

This program provides a model for collaboration and sharing of institutional resources and expertise to provide first-rate training on an affordable basis. Because in-house consultants offer training in conjunction with outside experts, and because the program is housed on the campuses of the CONNECT Partnership institutions, the cost of this high-quality training is kept to a minimum. Furthermore, this collaborative effort results in a highly relevant seminar series that specifically addresses the professional development needs identified by human resources directors across the state. The high level of interest generated by the first and subsequent cohorts clearly indicates long-term sustainability and potential for growth.

 

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