University Leadership Program

Northern Arizona University is inviting faculty and staff to participate in a leadership development program that brings together partners from all over campus to help prepare the next generation of higher education leaders.

Participants explore leadership skills, discuss challenges facing the university and higher education across the nation, and gain an understanding of how the Arizona university system functions. Other topics will include strategic planning and budgeting and how both serve to advance the overall mission of NAU. The program is aimed at identifying, informing, and investing in future university leaders while breaking down barriers.

The program kicks off in September, and all sessions will be held one Friday each month through May. Participants must be able to commit to attending each session and are expected to do work outside of the classroom sessions aligned with the hands-on strategic priorities. In addition, supervisors must sign off in supporting their employees’ participation in the University Leadership Program (ULP).

2024–2025 program

With the release of Elevating Excellence, much work is underway throughout the university community in advancing bold strategic priorities and a refined and revitalized institutional vision and mission. Underpinning these efforts are our people—the dedicated faculty and staff of NAU—who help shape the advancement of our collective work through their talent, energy, diverse backgrounds, and perspectives. The ULP is an important part of this work; ULP helps our leaders throughout campus develop leadership skills, broaden institutional knowledge, and build capacity from within our university. Building on the program’s existing strengths and the foundational knowledge provided, this year’s ULP will feature a new experiential component, creating the opportunity for participants to engage in hands-on work advancing strategic priorities and signature initiatives identified in Elevating Excellence.

To apply:

Applications have closed and will re-open in summer 2025.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us by email (ULP@nau.edu).

Accolades

“This program has really opened my eyes about the complexity of issues that I previously thought of as straightforward…I would recommend that anyone interested in learning more about how decisions are made, and the myriad considerations involved, apply to the program.”

“The whole program is fascinating and helped me to narrow my own focus in my job to further align it with the university goals and mission.”