The New Leader Program, previously New Department Head Training, introduces newly-appointed unit administrators to UGA policies, offices, and systems. These half-day retreats provide attendees with opportunities to strengthen leadership skills through the use of interactive discussions and activities. This cohort program encourages community and peer mentoring.

Competencies

Across the four half-day retreats and the interaction with leaders from across UGA, participants augment four leadership competencies: personal mastery, interpersonal communication, team management, and systems thinking. Further, participants will be provided with C.K. Gunsalus’ The College Administrator’s Survival Guide, which will further augment these competencies.

Audience and Registration

Participation is expected for department heads, school chairs, assistant deans, and associate deans who were appointed after September of the previous year, or who otherwise were unable to participate in their first year of appointment to their current leadership role. Directors and other academic leaders are also welcome.

Registration requested by Friday, August 22, 2025.

Register Here

Calendar

The New Leader Program is held each fall via four in-person half-day retreats.

Session 1: Faculty in Leadership Roles, Legal Issues and Equal Opportunities

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room K

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: Embrace Your Fate
  • Chapter 8: Problems, Rules, and Laws
  • Chapter 9: Violations

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Welcome (Elizabeth Weeks and Mary Carney)
9:05 – Insights into Leadership at UGA (Provost S. Jack Hu)
9:40 – Embrace Your Fate and Cultivate Leadership (Elizabeth Weeks and Mary Carney)
10:15 – Break
10:30 – Guidance on Legal Issues and Equal Opportunities
11:45 – What Does It Mean to Be Faculty in Administrative Leadership? (Panel)
12:45 – Networking Lunch
1:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2024

Session 2: Student Concerns, Human Resources, Emergency Preparedness and Fiscal Management

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room F/G

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 2: Boundaries and Expectations
  • Chapter 3: Colleagues
  • Chapter 6: Bullies

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Student Concerns
10:00 – Break
10:15 – Human Resources and Conflict Management
10:45 – Emergency Preparedness
11:00 – Break
11:15 – Budget Management for Leaders
11:45 – Strategic Financial Management (Panel)
12:45 – Networking Lunch
1:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2024

Session 3: Decision-Making, Data Resources, Curriculum Development and Communication

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room F/G

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 4: Complaints
  • Chapter 7: Troubled Units

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Effective Leadership Communication Panel & Communications Case Studies
10:15 – Break
10:30 – Data Resources and Institutional Reporting
11:00 – Curriculum Development at UGA
11:30 – Break
11:45 – Decision-Making and Leadership (Panel)
12:45 – Networking Lunch
1:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2024

Session 4: Faculty Searches, Hiring, Evaluation, Promotion and Tenure

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room F/G

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 5: Negotiations
  • Chapter 10: Centering

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Faculty Searches, Hiring, and Offer Letters (Elizabeth Weeks and Carly Surratt)
9:45 – Negotiating Offer Letters Interactive Breakout Session
10:45 – Break
11:00 – Faculty Annual Evaluations, Promotion and Tenure, Post-Tenure Review (Elizabeth Weeks)
11:30 – Elements (Sunshine Jordan)
11:45 – Performance Evaluations and Faculty Mentoring Panel
12:15 – Performance Evaluations and Faculty Development Case Study
12:45 – Networking Lunch
1:30 – Conclude

Handouts, Resources, & Links

2024


Further Information

If you have questions or want to receive the OFA Faculty and Leadership Development newsletter, please email the Office of Faculty Affairs at [email protected].

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