Leadership Academy
The CFDE Leadership Academy is designed to help faculty consider leadership strategies and approaches that can support them at any point in their career.
Academy Objectives
- To provide accessible leadership and professional development opportunities to faculty at Emory
- To collectively examine research-based approaches and strategies around leadership
- To consider what it means to be a leader in both formal positions and everyday situations. What does it mean to lead from where you are?
- To build a community of learners and leaders
See Leadership Certification below for additional program information.
Overview
This year in the CFDE Leadership Academy is offering a several seminar sesessions, a group book read that includes an author visit, Season 3 of our podcast series Leadership is Listening, and a series of community and culture building events including Lawn Bowling with Leaders and a celebratory reception at the end of the year. We hope to see you there!
Leadership Certification
A CFDE Leadership Academy Certificate of Completion means that the faculty member has:
Participated in at least three Leadership Sessions or Events offered in the CFDE Leadership Academy.
Leadership sessions and events provide participants with the opportunity to explore research based strategies, reflect on personal experience, learn from each other, and build community around leadership at Emory.
Completed a Reflection in Practice
Problem identification, solution driven inquiry and reflecting on observed results are critical skills in complex leadership. Taking the time to learn, reflect and share demonstrates a deep commitment to leadership and systems improvement at Emory.
For details, see below
Fall 2026 Programming
Foundational Strategies
- Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23rd, 2:00 – 3:15
- Location: Woodruff Library, Room TBD
- Description: This session is an overview of productive meeting practices, group dynamics, inclusive leadership practices, and leading change.
REGISTER: Foundational Strategies
The 5 Cs of Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, & Delegating
- Date/Time: Monday, October 26th, 11:00 – 12:15
- Location: Woodruff Library, Suite 217 Classroom
- Description: In this session we will review the 5 Cs of strategic thinking, decision making, and delegating from Brené Brown's Strong Ground operational leadership work and consider how we might incorporate these into our leadership practices.
Group Read: The Caring University
Request the Book: The Caring University
Book Discussion Part I
- Date/Time: Thursday, November 19th, 11:00 - 12:00
- Location: Woodruff Library, room 217
Register: Book Discussion Part I
Invited Talk from Kevin McClure, author of The Caring University: SAVE THE DATE!
- Date/Time: Friday, January 8th, 9:00 am - 11:00 am, a light breakfast is included
- Location: TBD
Register: Talk with Kevin McClure
Book Discussion Part II
- Date/Time: Tuesday, February 2nd, 11:00 - 12:00
- Location: Woodruff Library, Room TBD
Register: Book Discussion Part II
About the Book
The Caring University by Dr. Kevin McClure, explores how higher education leaders can create workplaces where faculty and staff feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. Drawing on research and insights from across higher education, it offers practical strategies for addressing burnout, strengthening engagement, and building a culture of care that benefits both employees and students. For faculty interested in leadership development, the book provides a compelling framework for leading with empathy, fostering belonging, and creating sustainable, people-centered academic environments.
Lawn Bowling with Leaders
Lawn Bowling with Leaders invites faculty to join another faculty leader for an hour of fun and learn about their career path, what brings them joy, and more! We hope this brings a little bit of fun, fresh air, and conversation for all of us.
Space is limited, so please ensure that you will be able to make the game before reserving a spot. Once the spots a full a waitlist will be created. If something changes and you are no longer able to come, please cancel your reservation so that someone from the waitlist can take your spot.
Upcoming Games
Dean Jim Nagy, Thursday, Oct. 8th 11 am - 12 pm
Sign-up for Lawn Bowling with Dean Nagy
Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling
Request the Book: Humble Inquiry
- Date/Time: Monday, February 22nd, 11:00 - 12:15
- Location: Woodruff Library, Suite 217 Classroom
- Description: This session will help attendees think about how to listen and ask more before providing advice or solutions. This encapsulates problem identification and empowering others to identify solutions.
Leadership is Listening Community of Practice: SAVE THE DATES!
- Dates/Time: 1:00 - 2:15
- March 3rd
- March 17th
- March 24th
- March 31st
- Location: CFDE, Woodruff Library Suite 216
- Objectives:
- Listen to and discuss contemporary leadership research and approaches
- Learn from each other and our collective experiences
Registration will open in the spring semester
More Info
The CFDE will offer a series of seminars on specific topics, interactive facilitation strategies, and focused communities of practice. Each session will have a reflection question and activity that faculty can choose to do to works towards certificate completion.
To achieve any level of certification, participate in:
- Any 3 seminar sessions + complete a reflection in practice activity. Everyone session will have an optional reflection in practice activity.
OR
- Participate in all sessions of a community of practice + complete 1 reflection in practice activity
Once you have completed the above criteria, you will receive the CFDE Leadership Academy Certificate of Completion Level I. If you complete the critera a second time, you will be at Level II, etc.
Certification Benefits
- Increase your self-knowledge around effective leadership practices through exploration, discussion, and reflection in practice
- Add your certification level on your CV to communicate professional development experience
A goal of the CFDE Leadership Academy is to create space for faculty to learn from one another. What better way to learn from a leader than to play bocce with them?
Lawn Bowling, aka bocce, sounds fun! Do I need to know how to play?
No! Bocce is an easy yard game where all you have to do is roll a bigger ball at a smaller ball. You will play as a team, so no pressure!
What if it rains? It might be hard to hold an umbrella and roll a ball…
If it rains will meet in the CFDE (Woodruff 216) for an indoor game and a hot beverage.