This is the last week the ITC is accepting applications for the 2026 Leadership Academy – the deadline is June 22nd. We have a great class of participants, but took advantage of some marketing of the event at the recent AI Teaching and Learning Conference hosted by Central Florida University. So I wanted to make sure our members are aware of the extension as well. The Academy is being hosted by Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Ian Coronado is our “host with the most”. The dates are July 13-15. You can use this link to learn more about the Academy as well as the specifics of applying: https://www.itcnetwork.org/distance-education-leadership-academy
Leslie Van Wolvestear, from Oakton College in Illinois, is responsible for getting the Academy together each year; the curriculum of the Academy is always reviewed and updated. We have an amazing faculty again this year – and we are looking forward to our time together in Eugene. This will be the 16th year of the Academy; I always like to recognize the pioneering leadership of Ronda Edwards and Mickey Slimp; they co-chaired the Academy from its inception in 2009. The ITC Board of Directors believes deeply in the Leadership Academy; launching this level of Professional Development was designed to better prepare Distance Learning leadership at community colleges. Over the years, the Academy has attracted candidates from a variety of backgrounds and with an equal variety of career goals. Consequently, the Academy has adjusted and now focuses on preparing leadership for careers in higher education.
We have changed our original model – hosting our events at a hotel – to now hosting each Leadership Academy at a community college campus. Seeing other community colleges adds to the learning experience. We have crisscrossed the country to ensure the Academy would be convenient to our members. We launched the first academy in partnership with Costa Mesa Community College in California. In the years since, we have been to Maine, Florida , Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina (2), Wisconsin, New York, Oregon (2), Nevada, New Jersey, Colorado (2), and even Prince Edward Island Canada!
We stay in touch with our graduates of the Academy – and are so pleased with the many career success stories. A growing number of ITC board members have also graduated from the Academy. We know leadership when we see it AND the ITC has benefitted from this rather unique board member pipeline.
I hope you are interested in this opportunity – if it’s too late for you to consider this opportunity for this year’s academy, consider being an early applicant for next year’s!!! Registration normally opens at the annual ITC national conference.
And for those that have already committed to joining us in Eugene, I am looking forward to seeing/meeting you. I know so many of you from the annual conference but also always look forward to making new friends!!
Recommended Reading
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Preparing the Quantum workforce, CCDaily
as quantum-related companies have begun to set up shop, community colleges are undertaking their part in training workers for this new economy. They’re standing up everything from programs that provide course tracks and certificates aimed toward the technical aspects of quantum, to more academic pathways leading to a bachelor’s degree and potentially beyond.
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