LAUNCH (Leading Academic Units for New Chairs and Heads)

The LAUNCH (Leading Academic Units for New Chairs and Heads) program prepares academic unit heads (department chairs, institute directors, or their equivalent) at the University of Maryland for inclusive, compassionate, and inspiring leadership. Unit heads profoundly shape the experience of those in their departments. New unit heads are faculty members who have built their careers on academic excellence but have the capacity and courage to open themselves up to new challenges. LAUNCH is a cohort program that offers new unit heads the opportunity to develop strategies for managing unfamiliar demands and participate in a network of leaders across campus in similar positions. Participants also have the opportunity to take advantage of a monthly 60-minute coaching session provided by the Center for Leadership & Organizational Change (CLOC).

LAUNCH meetings will be 1.5 hours each, except the first, which will be 2 hours.  Meetings will be held in-person on a monthly basis. Specific dates and times will be decided jointly by members of the group.

Topics

• Session 1: September - Leading with Strengths
• Session 2: October - Promotion & Tenure: Current Challenges and Changes on the Horizon
• Session 3: November - Rediscovering Conflict - Moving from Avoidance to Opportunity
• Session 4: February - Working with Your Dean
• Session 5: March - Navigating Shared Governance
• Session 6: April - Fostering a Climate of Belonging
• Session 7: May - Close out Discussion and Celebration

LAUNCH is a collaboration between the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) and the Center for Leadership and Organizational Change (CLOC). Speakers will be drawn from OFA, CLOC, outside experts, and experienced leaders from the University of Maryland.