2024 Jerome ALA Program Outline and Schedule
The Jerome Advanced Leadership Academy Mission:
To expand and develop University of Toledo and Monroe College graduate students’ leadership thinking, talents, and acumen. Selection into The Jerome Advanced Leadership Academy is competitive, and selections are made by Colleges’ Graduate Programs based on the graduate student’s academic performance, campus and community engagement track record, and leadership potential.
The Academy Format
Seven dynamic and interactive leadership development sessions will be conducted during Spring Semester 2024 with a mixture of formal instruction, community service, networking, self-assessments, and high-profile guest speakers. There will be a community service opportunity: The Global Community Service Project with the organization Feed My Starving Children. The final graduation session will be conducted at the world renowned Toledo Museum of Art as a celebration dinner and private docent tour for Jerome ALA participants. Students attending six (6) out of seven (7) sessions, including the graduation dinner, will receive The Jerome ALA Certificate of Advanced Leadership Development and The Jerome Advanced Leadership Academy Medallion (to be worn at graduation).
Please Reserve the Below Dates and Times
Session 1 and 2: The Leadership Journey & Inclusive Leadership
Saturday Jan. 27 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | The University of Toledo; Savage & Associates Business Complex, Room 1200A/B
Old paradigms for leadership and career development are no longer appropriate in the 21st century. This session will focus on leadership and career development strategies that will cause participants to think about where they are going with their careers and how they will get there. As well, we will discuss what it means to be a truly inclusive leader in times when many are focusing only on surface level diversity issues. This interactive session will provide participants with some important tools to keep their career moving in the right direction and avoid career derailment.
Instructors: Drs. Jenell Wittmer and Margaret Hopkins
Video Message from Leslie Robbins Jerome
Networking Lunch: 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Session 3: Servant Leadership Opportunity with Feed My Starving Children
Friday Feb. 16 | Time TBD | The University of Toledo; Health Science Campus, HEB100
Members of the Advance Leadership Academy can expand their knowledge of global hunger by participating in a MobilePack sponsored by The Klar Leadership Academy. Academy Members can work an action-packed two hour shift packing and preparing shipments of food that will be sent to a feeding program in a Third World country. This will be a powerful learning and teambuilding experience that you will not want to miss.
Session 4: Contextual Intelligence
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
The session introduces Contextual Intelligence and establishing the need to rethink some of our most common assumptions and beliefs about leadership. Navigating turbulence requires 3D Thinking, which is the simultaneous integration of Hindsight, Insight, and Foresight. Hindsight (experience) alone without the benefit of Insight and Foresight almost always leads to faulty decisions. The unique 3D thinking aspect of Contextual Intelligence has significant implications for how we understand the future, prepare for that future, and equip the people around us to navigate that future. Participants will walk away from this session having significant insight into how they can develop Contextual Intelligence and 3D Thinking and use it to lead in turbulent environments.
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Kurtz, AT, CSCS, Award-winning Author, TEDx Speaker,
Leadership Panel
Session 5: “Dinner and Learn”
Wednesday, Mar. 13 | 6 - 9 p.m. | The University of Toledo; Main Campus TDB or Remote
“Dinner and Learn” Dinner Served from 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Culture and Employee Engagement
Employee Engagement drives business success. Employees who say their culture is positive are 3.8x more likely to be engaged. Culture is a driving factor behind employee engagement. If your culture isn’t boosting engagement, employees may lack connection to their work and motivation to produce the best outcomes. Come learn what leaders can do to ensure a supportive, motivational, and engaging culture!
Instructors: Andrea Gurcsik, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Understanding Your Drives: Predictive Index
Leaders have an opportunity to create environments where those around them will grow
and develop. In order to effectively create this type of environment, leaders must
first understand themselves and then understand others. People are complex! In this
session you will not only learn about what drives human behavior, but also the type
of environments that leads to fulfillment for each individual. ALA participants will
have the opportunity to take the Predictive Index prior to the session.
Instructor: Ms. Nicki McLeod, In2Great
Session 6: Emotionally Intelligent Communication
Saturday, Mar. 23 | 8:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Location TBD
The Emotional Intelligence portion of this session aims to help participants reflect on their personal development and dealing with their own and other people's emotions in a more reflective way in order to be able to better shape social relationships with this awareness. Additionally, successfully navigating the dynamic and turbulent marketplace that we are immersed in requires that leaders be prepared to reimagine their concept of leadership. Additionally, we will discuss better communication strategies for better results, using our emotional intelligence to be better active listeners and be more intentional with our nonverbal communication.
Instructor: Dr. Jenell Wittmer, Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
Monroe College students will continue the day with Dr. Wittmer to assess and develop
their own emotional intelligence and explore servant leadership.
Session 7: Etiquette Dinner at the Toledo Museum of Art and Jerome ALA Graduation
Friday April 5 | 5:15 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Art Museum is one of the best art museums in America. Jerome ALA students are invited to have a plated dinner in a beautiful setting at the Glass Pavilion. Students will learn about proper dining etiquette in a variety of professional settings. Students will be able to tour the history of glass at the museum. We will also celebrate the conclusion of our 2024 Jerome ALA program!
Instructor: Ms. Cathi Fallon, Certified Etiquette Expert, The Etiquette Institute of Ohio