2026 Workshop

Application portal is now open. Please Apply!

Deadline is October 15, 2025. Details here.

Applicants will be notified before December 2025.

Leadership Training:

The workshop offers 4 parallel tracks:

  • Department Chair/Head Training
  • Dean Training
  • Provost Training
  • Research Center/Institute Training

Participants are placed in one of these tracks according to their preference and available spaces.

Workshop Content:

  • Generic leadership skills (through 360 feedback & discussion)
  • Advice from experienced academic leaders (EALs) in panels and discussions
  • Breakout discussions & networking with other participants and EALs
  • Discussion of why and how to become an EAL

Possible Work Products:

  • Individual Development Plan (IDP)
  • A 2-page draft of a job application or center white paper focusing on management and vision
  • Completed responses to one of the two following lists:
    1. 10 mock questions to be asked by a Search Panel
    2. 10 mock questions to be asked by a Grant Review Panel

Agenda:

  • Workshop sessions will begin on Thursday (February 12, 2026) at 3:00 PM
  • Workshop sessions will conclude on Saturday (February 14, 2026) at 4:00 PM 

EALs & Facilitators:
Invited (unconfirmed) Experienced Academic Leaders (EALS):

  • Dr. Karen S. Bjorkman, Professor of Astronomy, The University of Toledo (and fomer Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs)
  • Dr. Stephen Bradforth, Professor of Chemistry and Executive Vice Dean of the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California (and former Divisional Dean for Physical Sciences and Mathematics)
  • Dr. Peter K. Dorhout, Vice President for Research, Iowa State University (and 2018 President of the American Chemical Society)
  • Dr. Rigoberto Hernandez, Gompf Family Professor, Johns Hopkins University (and 2026 President of the American Chemical Society)
  • Dr. Jennifer Heemstra, Chair and Charles Allen Thomas Professor of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Dr. Mike Hildreth, Dean of the Graduate School, Associate Provost and Vice President for Graduate Studies and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Note Dame
  • Dr. Brent Iverson, Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas, Austin (and former Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies)
  • Dr. Adam K Leibovich, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Physics, University of Pittsburgh (and former Department Chair)
  • Dr. Melissa Reynolds, VP of Research Infrastructure and Technology in the Division of IT and the Vice President for Research, Colorado State University (and former Research Associate Dean in the College of Natural Sciences)
  • Dr. Jennifer L. Ross, Associate Dean for Creativity, Scholarship and Research and Professor of Physics, Syracuse University (and former Department Chair)
  • Dr. Silvia Ronco, Senior Program Director, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
  • Dr. Kristine Wammer, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of St. Thomas