Equitable Leadership Academy

UD’s new program for mid-level leaders

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BRING ACCEPTED FOR FALL 2025 COHORT >

UD’s Office of Institutional Equity and Human Resources is pleased to announce a professional development opportunity for campus leaders. The Equitable Leadership Academy (ELA) will bring a cohort of faculty and staff together to engage in thoughtful exploration of the individual, interpersonal and organizational elements of equitable and inclusive leadership in higher education. The fall 2025 application process will remain open until Friday, April 18. Thank you for your interest in this program.

The ELA has been designed for mid-level leaders who are interested in developing themselves further while preparing for their next leadership role. Individuals in the below and similar roles are encouraged to apply.

Staff Roles	Faculty Roles
Associate Director	Assistant/Associate Dean
Director	Associate Chair
Senior/Executive Director	Department Chair
Manager/Functional Team Manager	Assistant/Associate Director (centers)

The ELA is offered twice a year (September–November and February–May). Meetings will take place every other week, will be face-to-face and convene in a central campus location. See the Session Information tab below for meeting times and dates.

Hear from our ELA participants >

Fall 2025 cohort meeting dates are: Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19.

Sessions will consist of interactive experiences with peers and a smaller amount of self-driven learning. Participants will engage in various assessments to guide their experiences and developmental assignments to test out new skills.

Highlights include:

Three-hour sessions are held from 9 a.m. to noon, meeting every other week on Wednesdays.
One three-hour handoff session where participants meet and strategize with capstone advisors.
Capstone presentation for campus leaders with reception the following semester.
Access to Canvas page to manage assignments, reading material, and collaboration.

Application/Nomination Criteria

Must be currently supervising full-time faculty and/or staff.
Has oversight of major tasks/initiatives/research projects.
Able to attend all sessions.
Support from manager.
Demonstrated performance as an administrative leader.
Willingness to engage with other participants and facilitators.
Interest in serving as a “peer coach” to participants of future cohorts.

When are the applications due? Applications for fall and spring cohorts are open throughout the year. Deadlines for submission are announced so that applications can be reviewed for fall and spring cohort notifications.

Is there any cost to the participant for this program? There is no cost. The program has been jointly funded by UD’s Office of Institutional Equity and Human Resources.

What is the process to apply? Individuals interested in participating in the program will discuss with their manager and complete an application form.

How will I know if I have been selected for the program? Applicants will be notified within two weeks after the published deadline to apply for upcoming cohort.

What if I would like to nominate someone for the program? We encourage that! The first step is to ensure the individual meets the criteria. If so, submit a nomination using the link on the webpage. Once we receive this information, the nominee will be contacted with additional information, including the application process.

What if I can’t commit to all of the meeting dates? We understand that people may have standing conflicts. Attendance is critical for the program and to build relationships within the cohort. If you think you may have to miss a session, we suggest that you wait for a future offering.

How will my participation be recognized? All participants will be recognized at the completion of the program. A letter will be sent to participants’ managers recognizing their performance. Additionally, participants will be recognized campus-wide through a UDaily announcement.

Is there any compensation available for this program? There is no additional compensation available for this program. The program takes place during work hours and participants will receive instructional materials at no cost.

Session Information

Three-hour sessions are held from 9 a.m. to noon, meeting every other week on Wednesdays.
One three-hour handoff session where participants meet and strategize with capstone advisors.
Capstone presentation for campus leaders with reception the following semester.
Access to Canvas page to manage assignments, reading material, and collaboration.

Criteria

Application/Nomination Criteria

Must be currently supervising full-time faculty and/or staff.
Has oversight of major tasks/initiatives/research projects.
Able to attend all sessions.
Support from manager.
Demonstrated performance as an administrative leader.
Willingness to engage with other participants and facilitators.
Interest in serving as a “peer coach” to participants of future cohorts.

FAQ's

Is there any cost to the participant for this program? There is no cost. The program has been jointly funded by UD’s Office of Institutional Equity and Human Resources.

What is the process to apply? Individuals interested in participating in the program will discuss with their manager and complete an application form.

How will I know if I have been selected for the program? Applicants will be notified within two weeks after the published deadline to apply for upcoming cohort.