Faculty prepare to graduate from Leadership Academy

On Wednesday, March 3, faculty members, staff, and students gathered in Gaylord Hall for the President’s Lunch to discuss the importance of leadership on the CC campus.

The luncheon’s central focus was the CC Leadership Academy (CCLA), a pilot educational program for Colorado College faculty which aims to “provide key staff members with the tools they need to increase their effectiveness as leaders.”

The CCLA, which is currently in its second year, was founded and developed by Barbara Wilson, CC’s Director of Human Resources. CCLA participates take part in a 44-hour program which consists of a series of full-day and half-day sessions over a period of about two months. 

Wilson stressed the college’s need for effective, authentic leadership. 

“We need committed people who have integrity, and who will uphold our institution’s core values,” Wilson said. “What we are looking to do here is build, strengthen, and renew internal leadership.”

In order to participate in the CCLA, a faculty member must be nominated by a supervisor, complete an “Insights” personality profile, and commit to attend and fully engage in all program sessions. 

Program organizer Steve Tucker explained that the structure of the CCLA program is multifaceted. 

“Leadership is more art than science,” Tucker said. “To be a leader you must have self-knowledge as well as a certain kind of skill development.” 

In order to promote both of these aspects of leadership, the CCLA is based on a four-tiered pyramid structure. The program is comprised of four units, each corresponding to a tier in the pyramid.

The bottom tier of the pyramid and first unit of the course focus on self discovery. In this segment, which organizers of the course say is crucial, participants learn more about who they are and what they bring to leadership. 

“Outstanding leaders know themselves. They are crystal clear about their values and use them as a template for decision-making,” said Tucker.

The second unit focuses on leading individual performance. Participants learn how to acquire talented people, as well as manage and enhance individual performance. 

Once participants have learned how to lead people individually, they move on to the third unit, which teaches them how to lead a team. 

“Although leadership is an individual quality, the most important work done in an organization is usually carried out in a team,” said Tucker. This unit teaches participants the elements of an effective team, the importance of encouraging diversity, and how to turn conflicts into opportunities. 

CCLA’s fourth and final section is a follow up session entitled “Forwarding the Learning.” This section takes place a month after the completion of unit three. During this session, participants discuss the course and present a learning project designed to help foster leadership and cohesion within the CC community. 

Students were invited to attend the President’s Lunch and learn about the CCLA, even though the program is designed for CC staff members. 

CC junior Mark Giannetti was glad he was able to attend the event as a student. 

“It was interesting to see the inner workings of the staff of CC and how they contribute to continuing the education among the administration on campus,” said Giannetti.

Rakhi Voria, another CC junior, also appreciated the lunch.

“I’m glad that the event was open to students on campus. It showed me that leadership is not only a virtue among CC students, but the administration as a whole,” said Voria. “Perhaps the program can be expanded in the future so that students can play a role in the leadership academy as well.” 

“What I love about the CC Learning Academy is that it cultivates lifelong learning. That’s what CC is about; a love for learning. It’s why students come here and why faculty teach here,” said Chris Jones, a CCLA alumnus. 

John Lauer, another program alumnus agreed.

“The program really promotes friendships among faculty that would not exist otherwise. You get to know a person beyond their job,” said Jones.

This year’s CCLA class will graduate on April 1st. At graduation, each of the class’s four teams will present their learning project. The learning projects for this year include new employee on boarding, employee recognition and awards, the campus workplace climate, and campus community building.

“This program is designed for emerging leaders who have performed well in the past, to help them grow,” said Wilson. “We are very excited about it, and what it means for this campus…We can all make a difference, and that’s what the Colorado College Learning Academy teaches us to do.”