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 2009 program convenes on Thursday, August 6, and concludes on Saturday, August 8, immediately preceding the joint AATE/ATHE conference at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, NY, (August 8-11, 2009). See this page [1] 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 $550 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?

“The Leadership Institute inspires. The Leadership Institute instructs. The Leadership Institute provides a larger community for those of us working in small community college theatre environments. Thanks, LI, for the triage.”
Marcia K. Morrison, Dean of Arts and Humanities
Holyoke Community College

“The LI gave me a tremendous insight into the successes and challenges of higher education in our country and helped me to put my discipline and institution in a better perspective. From a more personal standpoint, LI truly gave me a deeper insight into my leadership abilities and the tools to assess continually my leadership skills.”
Dr. Gail S. Medford, Coordinator of Theatre
Bowie State University

“The ATHE Leadership Institute provides tools, an entire box of leadership tools. Some come with specific instructions, and some require reworking for use in specific applications, but are, nevertheless, within immediate reach. The Institute provides an invaluable experience for developing leadership skills.”
Jonathan Sabo, Chair
Department of Theatre Arts, Bethel College

"The ATHE Leadership Institute was inspiring on many levels, but, perhaps most importantly, I realized how the creativity and argument-making of scholarship, a relatively isolated pursuit, could be applied to administration through leadership that develops and pursues themes and strategies."
Kim Marra, Professor of Theatre