The newly revised Leadership Development Program framework will follow three phases.

 Phase One: Self-Reflection (November-December)

• Participants will engage as a cohort, work with a mentor, and reflect individually to assess their leadership strengths and development opportunities. This process will help them identify professional goals and motivations, establishing key areas of focus for their Leadership Development Program journey.

 Phase Two: Skill & Knowledge Development (January–April)

•  Participants will have access to a menu of observational experiences—such as attending leadership meetings, interviewing existing leaders, or meeting with the CCIU Talent Development Center—and leadership activities, including facilitating a division meeting, taking on a significant role in a cross-department project, or presenting a proposal for innovation or improvement. They must complete a minimum of three observational experiences and one leadership activity, all aligned with their growth focus areas.
•  During this time, participants will also participate in monthly cohort sessions that will consist of leadership training topics, cohort networking and leadership exposure.

 Phase Three: Self-Reflection for Growth (April – May)

• Participants will again engage as a cohort, work with a mentor, and reflect individually to assess their LDP leadership journey, and their personal areas of growth. Participants will present on their experiences to a small group of CCIU administrators and supervisors.  

Support

• Each cohort member will be paired with a leadership mentor from outside their department, who will guide them through self-reflection exercises and offer insights and advice related to their Leadership Development Program experiences.
• All cohort members are required to attend four leadership sessions scheduled for November 14, 2024, January 9, 2025, February 6, 2025, and March 6, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Educational Service Center on Boot Road. Additionally, there will be one optional virtual session on April 17, 2025, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Completion

• Each cohort member will have the opportunity to present results to an administrator/supervisor group on May 13, 2025, as well as be recognized by the CCIU Board of Directors at a spring Board meeting.  

Have you ever used your own experiences to offer perspective or guidance when a colleague asked for advice? That was mentorship! The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is looking for mentors like you to share their experiences and knowledge to help build our future leaders. This is an opportunity to make an impact on the lives and careers of other employees — and the future of the CCIU. It's also an opportunity to grow your own skill set and knowledge. Everyone knows you learn more when you teach!

 What's involved?

• Each mentor will be matched up with one LDP participant from a department or division outside their own.
• Mentors will be asked to view a brief, pre-recorded training during the first two weeks in November.
• In the newly refreshed LDP framework, mentors will play a key role during phase one in helping guide a participant through self-reflection and development of a personal leadership growth goal for the program, utilizing a provided template.
• During phase two, mentors and mentees will develop a schedule for check-ins and discussion surrounding the completion of selected activities.
• During the final phase, mentors will again help guide their mentee through self-reflection of their experiences and growth.
• All mentors are invited to attend four leadership sessions alongside their mentee that are scheduled for November 14, 2024, January 9, 2025, February 6, 2025, and March 6, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Educational Service Center on Boot Road. Additionally, there will be one optional virtual session on April 17, 2025, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Interested in becoming a mentor? Contact Danielle Hawkins at DanielleH@cciu.org.

Eligibility

Who Is Eligible for Participation in the Leadership Development Program (LDP)? 

• The 2024-25 LDP is open to all CCIU employees (full-time and part-time) who meet the following criteria: 
  • Employee has worked for the CCIU for a minimum of one full year.
  • Employee has not held a supervisory position at the CCIU for more than two years.
  • Employee is not currently an administrator.

What to Expect

What does the application process look like?

• Interested employees will need to complete an online application that includes a few short open-ended questions. They will also upload their current resume or CV and provide the name and email address of their supervisor. Upon submission, an email will be sent to the supervisor requesting them to complete a brief online reference form. After the application period closes, the program committee will review all submitted applications using an established rubric to select the 2024-25 cohort.

What is a Leadership Development Program (LDP) cohort member expected to do?

• The LDP is a personalized leadership development program supported with mentors and trainings. You will be expected to participate in the following: 
  • Working under the guidance of a mentor, you will complete a self-reflection exercise and identify a personal leadership goal for the program.
  •  You will be asked to select from a menu of opportunities three observational experiences and one leadership activity that best align with your personal leadership goal.
  • You will be asked to attend four cohort leadership sessions that will occur on November 14, 2024, January 9, 2025, February 6, 2025, and March 6, 2025 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Educational Service Center building on Boot Road. There will be an optional session held virtually on April 17, 2025 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
  • You will coordinate check-in meetings with your assigned mentor at a time and frequency that works best for your schedules. 
  • You will present on your project experience to a group of administrators and supervisors on May 13, 2025.
  • There will be an opportunity to be recognized at a CCIU Board of Directors meeting, but this will be optional.

What do the experiences look like that a LDP member will be asked to select from?

• LDP participants will be required to complete a minimum of three (3) observational experiences and one (1) leadership activity from a provided menu of options.
• Specific menu options for the 2024-25 cohort are still being collected; however, some examples include: 
  • Observational experiences:
    • Attend an administrator/supervisor monthly meeting.
    • Attend a division/department meeting outside one’s current group.
    • Schedule a time with an administrator to discuss their leadership journey.
    • Meet with the CCIU Talent Development Center.
  • Leadership activities:
    • Present or facilitate an activity as part of your department or division meeting.
    • Take on a significant role for a task/project/activity that crosses departmental boundaries.
    • Present a proposal for an innovation or area of improvement to an administrator.
• Participants have the opportunity to propose to the LDP Committee additional observational experiences or a leadership activity outside the provided menu. 

Will I be able to complete the required LDP work within my normal work hours? 

• Each experience will vary in regard to meetings or activities that may be needed during the standard workday. Employees are responsible for working directly with their supervisors to ensure appropriate plans are in place to meet job requirements. Supervisors are not obligated to allow leave time. 

Will I be paid for overtime for any LDP work conducted beyond my normal work hours?

• If you are currently working in a non-exempt (overtime eligible) position, you must work with your supervisor to flex your schedule or get approval to extend work hours to accommodate project-related activities.  Exempt employees (not overtime eligible) will not be paid for work outside their normal work hours. Exempt employees include professional staff and some project staff. 

Program Benefits

What do I gain by participating in the Leadership Development Program (LDP)?

• The LDP is focused on providing an opportunity for participants to gain valuable leadership skills and experiences aligned with the CCIU administrator framework. This will include:
  • Direct mentor support from an experienced CCIU administrator or supervisor outside of your current program or division
  • Support and camaraderie with fellow LDP cohort members
  • Increased exposure to people and programs outside your day-to-day
  • Recognition among CCIU administrators and supervisors of your leadership interest and participation, including recognition at a CCIU Board meeting