I truly enjoyed my time in Eugene, Oregon last week. Lane Community College hosted the annual ITC National Leadership Academy. And then the annual ITC Summer Board meeting/retreat. This year’s academy again featured an outstanding faculty AND equally outstanding participants! It was a fabulous group – eager, engaged, inquisitive, and willing to take on the challenges of leadership.
This was the seventeenth year of the ITC Leadership Academy. The event has always featured 3 days of intense training sessions; and since the fourth year, it has also always included an Escape Room team-building/making decisions with a time-limit/just fun! activity as well. Training sessions have evolved, but there are several “evergreen” topics of leadership to cover.
New to this year’s academy was the decision to level-up the mentoring of the participants. In the past, this was often off-loaded as an end-of-academy element – with mentor/mentee meetings occurring up to 6 months after the initial training. And certainly, that dynamic remains – coaching regarding career from an experienced academy faculty member. What I loved about this year’s academy was the decision to identify the mentor/mentee pairings on the 1st day of the academy and the scheduling coaching sessions over the three days. For instance, I am mentoring/coaching two of our participants and feel like I already know them to a greater degree. It has honestly opened new doors of how to approach career coaching with this value-added element!
Those who have graduated from the academy often become more engaged – and involved – in the ITC. We certainly encourage our participants to consider submitting a session proposal for the annual ITC national conference – we have also often had a gathering of Leadership Academy alumni and faculty. It is always wonderful to reconnect and hear updates regarding career and family.
We also have a growing number of ITC Leadership Academy graduates joining the ITC Board of Directors. Certainly, leadership can/does manifest itself in career developments when you return to your campus. However, many also find interest in stepping up to join boards and committees at their campuses, within their state, AND nationally.
The next ITC Leadership Academy is scheduled for July 2027 – location and dates to be announced. I would encourage you to consider applying if you are interested in this outstanding professional development opportunity. You will find the academy to be one of the most reasonable cost-wise. And our participants tell us it is well worth the investment in their skills development and potential career path.
Recommended Reading
9 simple ways to deter AI use and deepen student thinking, Edutopia
Activities that ask students to briefly pause and reflect before, during, and after they finish writing emphasize the importance of the process, rather than the final product.
Building AI that teaches: scaling learning systems, eCampus News
Crafting an AI-native learning platform also requires rethinking content delivery, assessment, and learner support as a single
The view from an RPU: What rebuilding trust in higher ed actually requires (Viewpoint), Inside Higher Ed
I would argue that the most consequential conformity in American higher education isn’t ideological—it’s structural. It’s the assumption that the best education is residential, takes four years and is organized around credit hours. That assumption has eroded public trust more than any other controversy. (Raymond Rice)
Most states struggle to bring adult learners back to college, eCampus News
A new report offers policymakers a roadmap for increasing college completion, strengthening workforce pipelines, and closing credential gaps
Beyond ChatGPT: How to create successful AI-ready students, University Business Magazine
The AI-ready individual uses technology to expand curiosity, improve critical thinking and learn ethical responsibility. Students can only capitalize on AI’s potential benefits if curriculum supports ongoing experimentation and reflection.
AI didn’t’ kill the liberal arts; it’s making a new case for them, University Business Magazine
Although recent research confirms that a college degree remains a sound financial and personal investment, there is a trust gap between institutions and the public. Part of closing that trust gap is talking openly about what is actually on people’s minds. AI is one of those topics.
Video Of The Week
AI in EdTech: The Reality - -How AI is really transforming education, YouTube
An interesting up-to-date overview of AI
(also an example of using NotebookLM to produce a professional slide deck and video)
