NPLI

Purpose
The BGSU Division of Student Affairs New Professional Leadership Institute (NPLI) is intended to augment the development of new professionals through increased awareness and skill development that can be used throughout their career.

Goals 

1. To examine critical leadership issues in higher education and student affairs that are relevant for new professionals.
2. To increase knowledge of programs and services provided by each department within the Division of Student Affairs.
3. To develop an understanding cross-division collaboration at BGSU through comprehension of organizational structure, strategic plans, budgets, and daily functions.
4. To assess individual leadership styles and develop skills in supervision, mentoring, and cross-campus collaboration.
5. To assess individual management styles and develop management practices in the areas of strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational cultural competence.
6. To develop a personal professional development plan that includes the examination of on- and off-campus opportunities.

Key Topics & Learning Outcomes

Leadership Theories and Applications

Participants will be able to:

• Understand and implement leadership theory into their practice.
• Identify current leadership challenges facing higher education and their impact on Student Affairs.

Management Theories and Applications

Participants will be able to:

• Understand and implement management theory into their practice.
• Incorporate systems-thinking and strategic considerations into their daily management and leadership practices through the integration of strategic plans, processes, and resources.
• Clearly communicate, with confidence, strategic issues facing leaders and managers in higher education.

Understanding Organizational Culture and Change

Participants will be able to:

• Develop an understanding of organizational cultural competence and apply this understanding to varied situations.

Supervising and Mentoring Students and Staff

Participants will be able to:

• Understand and implement best practices in supervision and mentoring.

Budgeting and Fiscal Management

Participants will be able to:

• Understand budgeting in higher education and apply this knowledge to responsible fiscal management.

Building Partnerships within and external to Student Affairs.

Participants will be able to:

• Incorporate cross-division collaboration into their daily practice.

Understanding Student Affairs within the context of Higher Education

Participants will be able to:

• Recognize the role and influence the Division of Student Affairs has at BGSU.

Creating a Professional Development Plan

Participants will be able to:

• Identify their strengths and professional development needs through the development of a professional development plan that includes examining involvement in regional and national association.

Duration and Time Commitment

The New Professional Leadership Institute will begin in August, 2008 and will run throughout the 2008-2009 academic year. Participants will be expected to attend one eight-hour session per month (August – May).

Expectations of the Participants 

1. Attend every NPLI session;
2. Actively participate in the entire program;
3. Complete all assignments on a timely basis.

Selection Criteria 

1. Must be an administrative staff member in the Division of Student Affairs;
2. Must have less than five years of administrative experience, preferably in Student Affairs, with at least one of those years at BGSU;
3. Must have a demonstrated interest in a future career in Student Affairs.

Application and Selection Process 

Prior to submitting the application, the individual should discuss interest in applying to the Institute with their immediate supervisor and departmental director, and request support for their candidacy.