UNC System program develops leadership skills among faculty, staff
During the past year, the University of North Carolina System has conducted an Executive Leadership Institute with a select group of faculty and staff members from the state’s public institutions. Dr. Crystal Chambers, professor of educational leadership at East Carolina University, was one of the 24 participants.
Dr. Crystal Chambers was one of 24 participants in the UNC System’s Executive Leadership Institute. (ECU file photo by Cliff Hollis)
This was the second cohort of the program, which is designed to build the next generation of top leadership from within the UNC System. It includes a focus on enhancing the pool of well-prepared, highly qualified future leaders from historically minority-serving institutions.
The 10-month program provided an overall view of the UNC System, its operations and future leadership opportunities. The institute developed leadership skills by sharing best practices and forming partnerships among participants and their institutions. Members benefited from executive coaching on an individual level and in a team setting.
“I was fortunate in that I was co-nominated by two chancellors for this opportunity: Ron Mitchelson in his service as interim chancellor and Chancellor (Philip) Rogers as he was coming to campus,” Chambers said. “As I teach in educational leadership, higher education leadership specifically, I typically gain the most from networking through leadership professional development programs. In fact, I’ve found many sessions that I could teach myself, some I could deliver better, and others that help me refine what I already do.
“The UNC System Executive Leadership Institute provided professional development that was inspiring, engaging, innovating, provocating, idea generating, strategy enabling and reflective. It informed my leadership practice at the individual and interpersonal/team-building levels as well as assisted with clarification of my purpose as we engage in forwarding the mission of the university in these challenging times.”
Leading experts from across the UNC System delivered in-person and online instruction designed to enhance leadership skills. The participants followed a curriculum in three experiential education modules: executive leadership, leading teams and leading the enterprise.
“Through this institute, we can grow our own future leaders, developing their talents and fostering a renewed climate of collaboration and excellence,” UNC System President Peter Hans said.
Upon completion of the program, participants received a certificate and the benefits of a mentoring relationship. Participants will have the opportunity to pay it forward as mentors for future cohorts, ensuring promising talent continues to develop and advance in careers across the UNC System.
Chambers also recently participated in an interview with Study.com offering advice for aspiring teachers.