CONNECT Collaborative Leadership Development Program

Summary

Human Resource directors from the five CONNECT institutions combined efforts and expertise to host a professional development series designed to enhance the leadership skills and competencies of mid-level professionals. The program curriculum focused on topics such as communication skills, diversity awareness, conflict resolution, collective bargaining, labor relations, and performance management. A cohort of 38 participants from CONNECT institutions and other colleges attended day-long sessions which rotated among the five CONNECT campuses. Both in-house expertise and well as outside consultants were 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 APA and excluded mid-level managers that focused on enhancing leadership skills and competencies specific to higher education. Training sessions were held once per month from October through May and the locations rotated among the five CONNECT campuses. Seminars were conducted by a combination of in-house human resource experts, in-house counsel, and outside consultants.

Objective(s) of Activity:

• To provide high quality professional development focused specifically on leadership and management skills for mid-level professionals in higher education
• To design a curriculum that would include communication skills, diversity awareness, conflict resolution and problem solving, dealing with difficult employees, basics of collective bargaining and labor relations, and performance management
• To build a cohort of professionals from across southeast Massachusetts who share common professional development needs specific to leadership in the higher education environment
• To develop a model for collaborative leadership which could be replicated by other regional institutional groups

Impact/Results of the Activity:

• The creation of a professional development seminar series that was high in quality, affordable for participating institutions and convenient for attendees
• The program was structured using approximately 50% in-house expertise and 50% outside consultants, resulting in a cost of only $400 per participant ($50 per day for 8 days of sessions).
• Program was so attractive that CONNECT consented to open the series to other institutions interested in participating. Outside institutions included Bunker Hill Community College , Roxbury Community College , and Massachusetts College of Art.
• First cohort 2004-2005 consisted of 38 participants and 38 more have already begun the 2005-2006 series.
• First cohort was so successful in terms of value for participants that selection for the program has already become competitive. For example, Bridgewater State College had 25 applicants for its 5 allotted slots in the 2005-2006 cohort.

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 offered training in conjunction with outside experts, and because the program was housed on the campuses of the CONNECT Partnership campuses, the cost of this high-quality training was kept to a minimum. Furthermore, this collaborative effort resulted in a highly relevant seminar series that specifically addressed the professional development needs identified by human resources directors across the state. The high level of interest generated by its first cohort clearly indicates long-term sustainability and potential for growth.

 

Copyright 2006