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Exploring Leadership Series

Program Mission 

To support leadership development, to expand individual leadership abilities both in current roles, to prepare for future leadership opportunities, and to advance Â鶹Æƽâ°æ’s strategic objectives. While this program is designed with women in mind, all are welcome to register.  

Format 

• Maximum 25 participants per cohort 
• 4-hour sessions in Spring 2027 
  -Includes an overview of a topic, review of information
  -Active learning application 
  -Reflective journal prompt 
• Conversational, small-group check-ins 
• Ready to apply session takeaways 
• Practice activities between sessions 
• Final Products 
  -Professional Development and Mentoring Plan 
  -Reflective Journal 

Application Process 

Applications for the spring 2027 Exploring Leadership Series will be accepted October 1 through October 31, 2026.

Spring 2027 Session Dates 

(Sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Grimsley Boardroom, Blow Memorial Hall Room 201, and will include a light lunch, except for the March 5 session, which includes a full-day conference experience on campus at the Alumni House.)

• Friday, February 19, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 5, full-day conference experience at Alumni House
• Friday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tentative Session Topics 

The sessions outlined below provide foundational leadership development while building practical skills, self-awareness, and a network of support among leaders across Â鶹Æƽâ°æ.

Know Yourself & Build the Cohort

• Exploring leadership approaches through Leadership Frames
• Identifying individual talents and leadership strengths using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths
• Connecting strengths to how participants lead, collaborate, and contribute to teams
• Establishing individual leadership goals, cohort relationships, and community agreements

G3 Leadership Experience

• Learning from leaders and leadership perspectives from across Â鶹Æƽâ°æ
• Building connections and expanding professional networks across the university
• Exploring leadership through the experiences and perspectives of others
• Reflecting on how lessons from G3 connect to individual leadership development and practice

Communication & Conflict

• Exploring communication styles, active listening, and effective leadership communication
• Developing skills for giving and receiving feedback and navigating difficult conversations
• Understanding individual conflict styles and approaches
• Practicing productive disagreement and applying conflict-management strategies to workplace situations

Teams & Influence

• Exploring team dynamics, trust, culture, and the leader’s role in building effective teams
• Developing skills for leading and influencing from wherever you sit
• Building and leveraging professional relationships and networks
• Strengthening visibility, self-promotion, and the ability to communicate individual contributions and impact

Sustainable & Reflective Leadership

• Exploring the connection between wellness and effective, sustainable leadership
• Developing strategies around boundaries, resilience, energy, and well-being
• Using reflective practice to deepen self-awareness and leadership growth
• Connecting learning across the series and identifying priorities for continued leadership development

Program Committee 

• Roxane Adler Hickey, Washington Center 
• Tiffany Beker, University Marketing 
• Iria Giuffrida, Office of the Provost 
• Amanda Lindbom, W&M Alumni Association 
• Zachary McCoy, Office of the Provost
• Meghan Miller, Psychological Sciences 

 Sponsored by: 
The Women’s Network, W&M Women, Office of the Provost