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 Thursday, August 20, 2026. 

Register Here 

Calendar

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

Session 1: Faculty in Leadership Roles, Student Concerns, Legal Issues, Emergency Preparedness

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room Q

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
9:05 – Insights into Leadership at UGA
9:30 – Embrace Your Fate and Cultivate Leadership
10:15 – Break
10:30 – What Does It Mean to Be Faculty in Administrative Leadership?
11:30 – Lunch Break
12:00 – Student Concerns
1:00 – Break
1:15 – Guidance on Legal Issues
2:00 – Emergency Preparedness
2:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2025

Session 2: Faculty Searches, Hiring, Human Resources, Communication, Graduate Education, Faculty Engagement

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room Q

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 2: Boundaries and Expectations
  • Chapter 3: Colleagues
  • Chapter 5: Negotiations
  • Chapter 6: Bullies

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Faculty Searches, Hiring, and Offer Letters
9:45 – Break
10:00 – Negotiating Offer Letters Interactive Breakout Session
11:00 – Human Resources and Conflict Management
11:30 – Lunch Break
12:00 – Effective Leadership Communication Panel Discussion and Communications Case Studies
1:15 – Break
1:30 – Graduate Education and Faculty Engagement Panel
2:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2025

Session 3: Decision-Making, Faculty Evaluations, Promotion and Tenure

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room Q

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 4: Complaints
  • Chapter 7: Troubled Units

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Decision-Making and Leadership (Panel)
10:00 – Break
10:15 – Faculty Annual Evaluations, Promotion and Tenure, Post-Tenure Review
10:45 – Elements
11:00 – Performance Evaluations and Faculty Mentoring Panel and Case Study
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Conclude


Handouts, Resources, & Links

2025

Session 4: Fiscal Management, Curriculum Development, Data Resources

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

In person: Georgia Center, Room Y/Z

Pre-Session Reading
The College Administrator’s Survival Guide

  • Chapter 10: Centering

Agenda

8:30 – Continental Breakfast
9:00 – Budget Management for Leaders
9:30 – Strategic Financial Management
10:30 – Break
10:45 – Curriculum Development at UGA
11:15 – Data Resources and Institutional Reporting
11:45 – Concluding Remarks
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Conclude

Handouts, Resources, & Links

2025


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].

Commit to academic excellence

Leave a Gift