AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program
AIKCU is pleased to introduce the new AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program, a unique opportunity for its member colleges and universities to build leaders among mid- to senior-level managers.
This immersive leadership development program is designed to help rising campus leaders evaluate how their skills, natural abilities, and calling can be honed to meet key leadership needs in today's higher education environment.
​
"Preparing leaders to serve effectively and courageously in higher ed is critical to the sustainability of our sector," AIKCU President Mason Dyer said. "This program will give selected campus managers the tools to enhance and elevate their leadership abilities while also boosting their knowledge of postsecondary education."​
​​​
Participants
Advancing Leaders is for mid- to senior-level leaders who are already making valuable contributions to their campuses and have the potential to expand their leadership in the years ahead. Nominees can come from a wide variety of campus departments, including academic affairs, advancement, athletics, enrollment management, finance, marketing, student affairs, and student services.
Each campus president can select up to two participants. See Class of 2025 members below.
Credo is Program Partner
AIKCU is collaborating with Credo, a higher education consulting firm, on programming for the Advancing Leaders Program. Credo is focused on strategy and student success, and since 2015 has partnered with higher education associations to deliver leadership development programs for middle-talent campus leaders and presidential hopefuls.
​
Learning Objectives & Workshops
See details below.
​
Meeting Dates
The program kicked off with a two-day, in-person session Jan. 28-29, 2025, in Lexington. Participants will then meet virtually each month until the final one-day, in-person session in June 2025.
Program Cost
The cost to the institution is $295 per participant.
​
Contact
For more information, contact Mason Dyer, AIKCU president, at mason.dyer@aikcu.org.
Introducing AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025
Brescia University
Sagan Storm
Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
& SACSCOC Liaison
Lauren Osowicz
Director of Advancement
Centre College
Ann Smith
Director of Procurement & Capital Projects
John Perrin
Director of Equal Opportunity & Title IX Compliance
Georgetown College
Alison Gillaspie
Director of Admissions
Chris Oliver
Vice President for Athletics
Kentucky Christian University
Dr. William Stevens
Dean, School of Humanities & Science
David Manning
Athletic Director
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Lindsey Crowe
Director of Online Learning
Morgan Russelburg
Dean of Students
Midway University
Mona Chorera
Executive Director of International Affairs
Ashley Dudgeon
Vice President of Enrollment
Thomas More University
Dr. Joseph Christensen
Dean of St. Elizabeth College of Natural & Health Sciences
Transylvania University
Amanda Turcotte
Executive Director for the President's Office
Dr. Tiffany Wheeler
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Union Commonwealth University
Eric Evans
Chief Information Officer
Preshus Howard
Registrar
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and
Universities
Dr. Krista Hudson
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Learning Objectives
Common Themes in Thriving Institutions: Participants will be able to articulate the key themes of thriving institutions and demonstrate an awareness of how their own experience compares.
Demands of Leadership: Participants will understand the demands on leaders in today's higher education landscape and be equipped with tools to apply in their own leadership.
Cross-Functional Engagement & Awareness: Participants will increase their ability to engage effectively across both their own institution and within the larger context of higher education beyond their functional area.
Leadership Readiness & Growth Actions: Participants will gauge their own readiness for leadership in general and specific areas, and develop a roadmap for growth toward their goals.
Workshops
Participants will engage with both Credo facilitators and each other in these interactive, reflective workshops.
YOUR
LEADERSHIP STYLE
​Participants will complete the REACH Leadership assessment, a powerful development tool that explores their unique leadership approach.
A certified REACH coach will facilitate a conversation about leadership alignment grounded in REACH competencies. Participants will explore, individually and in groups, their own leadership style and how they relate to others from that position.
This facilitation provides a common language for individual leadership that underpins an exploration of the higher education landscape and institutional thriving moving forward.
THE THRIVING FRAMEWORK: EXTERNAL CONTEXT, INSTITUTIONAL THRIVING & LEADERSHIP IMPLICATIONS
Participants will explore and gain an understanding of what helps colleges and universities thrive by using Credo’s proprietary Thriving Framework research as a foundational tool.
This curriculum moves from an overview of each element – such as Student Learning & Success, Net Revenue & Institutional Finance, and Courageous & Collaborative Leadership – into current research, institutional and leadership implications, personal reflection, and case study.
BUILDING A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS
​Participants will articulate a vision for their professional future, examine their current landscape in relation to that vision, and define action steps to move from current state to vision achievement.
Small-group discussion among peers and individual coaching time with the workshop leaders will bring closure and solidify network connections for the future.