The Launching Leaders Program (LLP) is a comprehensive eight-month initiative crafted to cultivate and empower faculty members at Arizona State University who have recently assumed administrative roles. These participants are identified by the Provost's Office and include individuals who have taken on positions such as department chairs, directors, and associate deans for academic programs. This program's core objective is to provide timely and tailored support to faculty leaders by addressing the immediate challenges they face. In September, in collaboration with the University Design Institute (UDI), the Provost's Office inaugurated the sixth cohort, comprising 20 aspiring leaders, during an elegant evening reception. The overarching mission is to nurture the competencies and self-assuredness of these emerging leaders as they embark on their new administrative roles, ensuring their successful transition and continued growth.
The LLP has proven to be invaluable to learn about leadership strategies and approaches that work in the dynamic and complex ASU ecosystem. Networking with fellow directors, hearing from proven leaders of the institution, and getting myriad tips and tricks from seasoned veteran leaders of the institution helped me navigate the early years of my own leadership experience. I continue to benefit greatly from LLP Meetings and Conversations, the case studies, and hearing diverse perspectives regarding strategies that work and don’t work. Most importantly, the LLP has been a source of comfort and moral support, knowing that I am not alone in facing some of the challenges and issues that I have had to confront as a school director.
Ram Pendyala, School Director and Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
The program is jointly led by Patricia Friedrich, Vice Provost for Academic Personnel, and Minu Ipe, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the University Design Institute, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their leadership roles. Throughout the eight-month duration, participants will engage in a blend of in-person and virtual workshops, aimed at deepening their understanding of the ASU enterprise. The program also features enlightening panel discussions with Deans, LLP Alumni, and other experts, addressing topics that are not only relevant but indispensable for their growth and development as faculty leaders. Since its inception in 2018, the program has successfully graduated 73 empowered changemakers.