Leadership Programs Policy

AUDIENCE

This policy applies to all regular, full-time staff employees.  Faculty are exempt from this policy.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure uniform procedures in selecting eligible employees to participate in Leadership Programs as they become available.

DEFINITIONS

Leadership Program: a program designed to teach leadership qualities to participants demonstrating the potential to hold a higher-level leadership position at the University.

THE POLICY

It is the policy of Thomas More University to encourage eligible full-time employees to further develop their leadership skills through attendance at external leadership programs as they become available. When resources permit, the University may offer support to attend such program through a range of initiatives, which may include financial support and/or release from duties to attend the program. Such initiatives are resource dependent and participants are selected via a competitive application process.

Note: Selection to participate in a Leadership Program is intended for personal development and does not guarantee promotion to a leadership role or position of authority at Thomas More University.

RELATED POLICIES AND APPLICABLE LEGAL OR ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

None

PROCEDURES

I. Eligibility

To participate in a Leadership Program, the employee must be working in a regular full-time staff position at the University and have a proven track record of exceeding expectations in all areas of supervisory requirements. 

In addition, eligible employees must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Commitment to Thomas More University’s mission and its strategic direction;
• Ability and willingness to learn and apply new learning;
• Commitment to attend all classes, participate, and complete all assignments;
• Positive work habits, attitudes and professional skills even in challenging situations;
• Significant contributions to organizational priorities; and
• Potential to effectively lead others, manage work and meet future challenges.

II. Application and Selection Process

There are two ways for candidates to be considered for participation in an external leadership program initiative:

1. Candidates may be nominated by a department head, Dean, or applicable vice president or Provost.
2. Candidates may apply directly for the program, if they include an endorsement from a department head, Dean, or applicable vice president or Provost indicating support for their application and a commitment to cover the cost of the program.

All candidates must complete a formal written application, which must be signed by the department head, Dean, and applicable vice president or Provost and then forwarded to the Office of the President. 

A selection committee appointed by the President (or designee) will review all applications and select the final participant(s).  The committee’s selection(s) will based on the responses to the nomination questions, any criteria established by the external entity responsible for the program, the characteristics outlined in the “Eligibility” section above, and other criteria identified by the committee.

REFERENCING THE POLICY

HISTORY

This is a new policy.

APPENDIX

There are no appendices to this Policy.

APPROVALS

Laura Custer, Director of Human Resources

Dr. Kathleen Jagger, Acting President