CICan Leadership Institutes

Leading in the ever-evolving landscape of post-secondary education requires strong skills and tools to be effective and successful. CICan’s celebrated leadership institutes draw on the latest management concepts and experience to prepare participants to successfully lead in the college and institute system.

The programs contribute to institutional succession planning by looking at the competencies required to lead effectively in institutions of all sizes and, the skills necessary to lead at a higher level.

Each institute is tailored to a different position and provides participants the opportunity to learn from distinguished college and institute leaders. Participants are guided by a core group of faculty who create an interactive environment, sharing personal stories, knowledge, and experience to underline the skills needed to lead in higher-education.

Participants will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues from across the country and become part of a networking group to facilitate further engagement and learning.

Learn more about CICan’s Leadership Institutes for:

Who should attend

This Leadership Institute is designed for those currently in the role of manager, program chair, associate dean, or associate director, who seek to develop their leadership abilities, progress in their careers, and better understand the global trends that are having an impact in their current position.

Key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership (self-assessment and skills assessment);
  • the environmental context: changes and challenges for institutions;
  • moving from a program focus to a broader institutional focus: management vs leadership;
  • senior management expectations;
  • team relationships and building team capacity;
  • leading in a unionized environment;
  • the value of mentorship and coaching: for self and for a team; and,
  • the key elements and challenges of the dean/director roles.

Who should attend

This Leadership Institute is designed for those currently in a non-managerial staff or faculty role, who are looking to progress in their careers and aspire to become a manager. Recently appointed managers may be interested in attending to garner knowledge on the leadership profile essential for success and approaches that may contribute to the development of their function within the institution.

Key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership (self-assessment and skills assessment);
  • the environmental context: changes and challenges for institutions;
  • transitioning from a non-managerial position to management;
  • moving from a program focus to a broader institutional focus;
  • senior management expectations;
  • leading in a unionized environment; and
  • the importance of relationships and building team capacity.

Who should attend

This Leadership Institute is designed for those in the roles of dean and director (in academic, administration, finance, and student services departments), and campus principals who are looking to progress in their careers and aspire to become vice-presidents.

What you will learn

This intensive program is designed primarily to enhance participants’ knowledge of the expectations at the vice-president level. Deans, directors and campus principals who are looking to develop their leadership abilities and advance their careers in the college and institute setting will examine the current and emerging requirements of the role of vice-president and the leadership profile and skills that are essential for success.

A number of key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership – self-assessment and skills assessment;
  • the environmental context in which institutions currently exist;
  • executive management expectations;
  • governance;
  • building a leadership team;
  • the key elements and challenges of the vice president role.

Who should attend

Those in the role of vice-presidents or equivalent positions who aspire to become Presidents.

What you will learn

This intensive program is designed primarily to enhance the participants’ knowledge of the expectations at the President level. Vice-presidents who are looking to develop their leadership abilities and advance their careers in the college and institute setting will examine the current and emerging leadership requirements of the role of President and the leadership profile and skills essential for success.

A number of key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership, skills and traits – self-assessment and skills assessment;
  • key contextual issues facing Canadian college/institute executives-nationally and internationally;
  • internal and external roles/responsibilities/accountabilities of the President;
  • the role and relationship of the executive team with the President;
  • governance responsibilities;
  • the key elements and challenges of the role of the President.

Who should attend

Presidents and directors general

What you will learn

This innovative leadership program is designed and delivered by and for college and institute Presidents/Directors General from different parts of the country. It provides participants an opportunity to share and network with peers from across the country while being reenergized and building a support group. It will examine the current and emerging challenges of the role, equipping participants with new tools and approaches. The sharing of experiences and stories will form the basis of the learning in an interactive and dynamic environment. Our promise, you will be reenergized…

A number of key areas will be examined, including:

  • Key contextual issues facing Canadian college/institute presidents and directors general in a post-covid era with multiple pressures;
  • Key elements and challenges of the role – multiplicity of presidential roles and how to navigate smoothly while sharing respective stories, the good and bad;
  • Internal and external roles/responsibilities/accountability of the presidents and directors general and successes, cautions and lessons learned;
  • Roles of the presidents and directors general and the board of governors and how to ensure the most strategic use of the board.

Who should attend

Those in the role of manager in place or new director in international offices/divisions who seek leadership development for their current position; leaders who are new or interested in learning how to better lead their department and institution in international initiatives.

What you will learn

This intensive program is designed to enhance the leadership skills of current managers or new directors in international divisions within colleges and institutes. Leaders who are either new or interested in learning more about how to lead their department and institution in international initiatives will gain significant knowledge about the international leadership role. The program offers a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from peers from across the country who face similar challenges.

A number of key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership – self-assessment and skills assessment;
  • Key elements and challenges of the role;
  • Role of the international office/division in your institution;
  • Reporting structures, financial models, recruitment strategies, organizational structures;
  • The “continuum of internationalization” (international student recruitment, student services, outbound mobility, international partnerships, contract training/service exports, offshore programming and other new modes of international education delivery);
  • Human resources management;
  • Risk management.

Background

Over the past 15 years, colleges and institutes have seen an exponential increase in their applied research activity, with corresponding infrastructure changes, new sources of funding, greater faculty and student involvement, and a dramatic increase in industry and community engagement. There is also a diversity in the research as many institutions are doing both industrial/technological research and social innovation research. Today’s college and institute applied research leaders must play multiple roles: they must be strategic and visionary but also strong operationally. They must advocate for applied research in college and institute mandates, and be key linkages to local business, industry, community partners as well as government.

Who should attend

Those in the role of manager or new director in applied research offices/divisions who seek leadership development for their current position; research division staff (e.g. project managers, industry liaison staff, research coordinators); individuals from other areas of the institution who aspire to leadership positions in applied research or are interested in learning how to better lead their department and institution in applied research and innovation initiatives.

What you will learn

This intensive program will focus on the current and emerging requirements of the role of Applied Research Leaders in colleges and institutes and will explore the leadership profile and skills essential for success.

A number of key areas will be examined, including:

  • leadership – self-assessment and skills assessment
  • the key elements and challenges of the role of applied research leader in a college
  • diversity and scope of college-based applied research across Canada
  • the role of the applied research office/division in institutions
  • strategic approaches and risk management
  • funding mechanisms
  • internal relationships and external partnerships
  • intellectual property and research ethics
  • projects and programs – opportunities and challenges
  • link between research and innovation and entrepreneurship

Upcoming Institutes