Fearless Leadership Foundations
The Office of Faculty Affairs is excited to announce a new program: Fearless Leadership Foundations. While our Academic Leadership Program prepares faculty members who might consider senior leadership roles, Fearless Leadership Foundations helps faculty members, both TTK and PTK, who are taking on administrative roles within units, possibly for the first time. These crucial positions can be very rewarding, but also come with new challenges. Fearless Leadership Foundations invites applications from faculty members looking to develop their skills, find support, and help create a network of department-level administrators for group problem-solving.
Topics
- Time management
- University of Maryland leadership cultures
- Leading conversations and consensus building
- Interpersonal challenges
- Communication
- Change management
- Possibilities and parameters of your position
- Problem-solving
- Transitioning to new responsibilities
- Resource management
- Navigating unit structures
- Finding support in and beyond your unit
Structure
This will be a cohort program. Participants are expected to attend most, if not all, sessions to build continuity and community. Meetings will include guest speakers, group problem-solving, and brief readings for preparation. We will gather monthly, in person, at a time that works for the schedules of the participants.
Qualifications
Candidates should be TTK or PTK faculty members by Fall, 2025. They should be in or designated for an administrative position within an academic unit, such as Center Directors, Associate Chairs, Undergraduate Directors, Graduate Directors, or Program directors within units. (This program is not for chairs/unit heads). The program will be most useful for those recently appointed (years 1-3), but applications are open to all.
Application Materials
- A statement of interest and some information about your current position (and/or the position for which you have been designated (under two pages)
- A letter of endorsement from your chair or unit head (one page)
- CV (under 5 pages)
For the 2025-2026 academic year, submit applications by July 11th, 2025 for best consideration, via the APA portal. Unit heads or business managers are able to submit these applications, application materials should be given to them to submit on the behalf of the interested faculty member. For any questions, please email us at faculty@umd.edu.