Applications are now open for the ninth cohort of the University of Oregon’s Leadership Academy, a program designed to advance leadership skills and build community among faculty and staff.
The academy is a participatory leadership development program for mid-level administrative and academic faculty and staff members, offered by the Office of the Provost.
A cohort of 36 participants will be selected to participate through a competitive application process. The deadline for applications for the 2026-27 cohort is Jan. 23.
“The Leadership Academy brings together faculty and staff from across campus to learn, grow and support one another,” said Sierra Dawson, associate vice provost for faculty and leadership development and co-facilitator of the program. “It creates a strong sense of community and belonging while equipping participants with practical leadership skills, regardless of role or title.”
The program is designed to equip and empower diverse and talented faculty and staff members, as well as to enhance the culture of collaboration and connection among participants.
In selecting participants, the goal is to have a cohort that is representative of campus, bringing together equal numbers of faculty and staff, from every academic and administrative unit. Participants are chosen from different backgrounds, identity characteristics, roles on campus and experiences, to enhance group effectiveness and learning, and break down the typical institutional silos, Dawson said.
More than 200 people have participated in the academy since its inception in 2018, representing a wide swath of the campus community. See program alumni on the Leadership Academy webpage.
The 2026-27 academy includes a kickoff event in June, followed by 10 sessions that take place on Fridays between September 2026 and June 2027.
—Top photo: Participants in the UO’s Leadership Academy celebrate at a graduation event marking the end of the 2024-25 program.