Leadership Development Program

WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is the most frequently offered program of the Leadership Institute of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Since its founding in 2000, more than 200 people have participated in the program, many returning to serve as mentors in the program. Many LDP alumni serve as faculty leaders, as chairs or deans, or as officers in professional associations. Participants in the program explore the challenges and opportunities for theatre departments within the higher education context.

The 2008 program convenes on Tuesday, July 29, and concludes on Thursday, July 31, immediately preceding ATHE’s annual conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver, Colorado (July 31-August 3, 2008). See this page for more information.

MENTORING

Each participant will be matched with a
mentor. Much of the Institute consists of
discussions and case studies. Mentors and participants will be encouraged to
meet with one another during the ATHE conference and arrange to talk periodically during the year following the workshop.

NOMINATION & REGISTRATION

Each candidate must be nominated by a Chair or Dean with a one-page letter of nomination that should speak to a nominee’s leadership potential, interest and/or experience that would allow him or her to benefit most fully from this experience. The ATHE Leadership Institute registration fees are $525 for ATHE members; $650 for those who are not members. Registration includes all Institute materials as well as a networking dinner, continental breakfasts and closing lunch. We hope that the participants will receive registration and travel support from their institutions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

“I think that any full-time faculty member should consider attending the Leadership Development Program. It will help you to understand the role of your department head in a more detailed manner, and help you to understand how to help her or him work with you. Also, you never know when you may be called on to step into a leadership role. Many of the department heads I know did not have this role in their career plans.”
--Lionel Walsh, Director, School of Dramatic Art, University of Windsor

WHAT DOES THE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFER?

"Too often theatre leaders enter administrative positions with no formal training. I'm so glad to have had an opportunity to learn about leadership from some of the best and to be able to continue that learning by serving as a mentor."
--Linda Essig, Director, School of Theatre and Film, Herberger College of Fine Arts, Arizona State University

"The ATHE Leadership Institute prepared me to see my new role as department chair in a much broader way. The workshop empowered me to tap into my leadership potential, and to see beyond the tasks of my job (which can be overwhelming)! I now view leadership as a journey; and the ATHE LI was a vital step toward making it a more successful, enriching one."
--Fredrick J. Rubeck, Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Performing Arts, Elon University

"My experience with the ATHE Leadership Institute has proven to be a valuable professional development experience as I teach and learn with those I mentor."
--Kent Neely, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

"The ATHE Leadership Institute is an invaluable experience for someone seeking a leadership role within a department or institution. Participants develop a network of successful chairs on whom they can call for advice and a support system of new chairs who are also beginning the important work of moving the arts forward in higher education."
--Dr. Richard J. Helldobler, Associate Provost/Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, California University of Pennsylvania

"The ATHE Leadership Institute provides an invaluable service for incoming and continuing administrators to learn from national experts, network with each other, and facilitate year-round mentoring. By demystifying leadership, LI gives administrators a chance to stand back from the minutiae of the day and consider the big picture, as well as hear about ‘best practices' from other institutions."
--Bud Coleman, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, University of Colorado at Boulder