Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Leadership Academy Graduates Second Class
By Karen Beaudway and Heather Wainer
Some of tomorrow’s leaders at Carnegie Mellon are taking action today, thanks in part to the Leadership Academy, a program that trains and prepares high-performing staff for higher-level leadership positions within the university.
Several graduates already are using their new training and tools in new roles and in new positions.
Twenty-three staff members in job grades 58-60 completed the rigorous program of classroom sessions, self-assessments and an intensive team project, learning the skills needed to become successful leaders. This year’s group was the second class of the Leadership Academy, which was launched in 2009 by Human Resources’ Learning & Development and the Tepper School’s Executive Education Center.
Each participant also completed the 360° Feedback Process, including a one-on-one assessment to create a personalized development plan. Many participants commented that this aspect of the program was particularly beneficial.
“One of the many highlights for me was the guided introspection that the program provided,” said Philip Bottonari, manager of Leadership and Gift Analysis for Individual Giving in University Advancement. “From obtaining 360° feedback from my supervisor and co-workers, to discovering how one’s strengths can lead to derailment, I learned a tremendous amount about how to optimize my work and even personal life.”
The class members formed four groups to work on projects sponsored by departments that address challenges facing the university. Group projects allow participants to apply their skills and knowledge while working with others from different areas of the university.
The projects included:
Extreme Makeover— Procurement Services Edition”
The group project sought to assess the relationship between Procurement Services and university business managers, and to make recommendations that will redefine and enhance that relationship.
HR/Payroll Change Communication Plan
The team’s goal was to develop communication recommendations for the new HR/Payroll system, considering the audience, content, frequency and vehicles.
Succession Planning
The group took on an enterprise risk management initiative addressing CMU’s lack of comprehensive succession planning strategies for administrative units. It recommended best practices for replacement and succession planning.
Office of Sponsored Programs: Web Design Analysis and Recommendations
The team analyzed the current state of the Sponsored Programs website via user interviews, benchmarking, user profiles and subject experts, and then made recommendations to improve information management, navigation, and user communication.
The class found the experience to be extremely valuable.
“The Leadership Academy gave me a broader perspective on how the different parts of Carnegie Mellon function together. The group projects had us interacting with people at CMU that we wouldn’t talk to in our day-to-day lives at work, which was great,” said Connie Deighan Eaton, associate director of Academic Technology Services in the Computing Services Division.
The Carnegie Mellon Leadership Academy is in the process of evaluating its curriculum and impact. The short- and long-term outcomes for participants are being tracked, and student input is being gathered. Program adjustments will be made to ensure that the academy continues to provide the most useful skills and knowledge to benefit future participants and the university.
Information about the third session of the academy will be announced this fall. For more information, go to http://www.cmu.edu/leadership-academy/
Congratulations to the 23 graduates of the 2010-11 class:
• Philip Bottonari, manager of
Leadership & Principal Gift Strategy, Analysis and Support
• Melissa Carrozza, assistant business manager of Human-Computer
Interaction Institute and Machine Learning Department
• Nancy Doyle, manager of the Director’s Office and Administration in the Information Networking Institute
• Connie Deighan Eaton, associate director of Academic Technology Services for Computing Services
• Colleen Everett, business manager for the Computer Science Department
• James Frick, director of admissions, operating and recruiting for Tepper’s master’s programs
• Heather Johnson, assistant director of the Tepper Executive Education Center
• Chris Kamerling, Financial Systems manager
• Shushan Klein, assistant manager for Desktop Support Program
• David Koltas, assistant head of the School of Architecture
• Justina Marino, a senior development associate, University Advancement
• Jennifer McNabb, assistant director for the Office of International
Education
• Nancy Monda, business manager for Modern Languages
• Monique Moreland, assistant director of Student Services for Tepper
• Kevin Nowicki, business manager for Biological Sciences
• Stephen Pajewski, director of the Tepper Undergraduate Business Program
• Katie Price, International Cash
Management accountant
• Yvette Raymond, a division manager for Legal/HR/Risk
• Judy Schieck, director of Gift
Analysis and Reporting
• George Skoptsov, senior software engineer for the Robotics Institute/NREC
• Eric Spaulding, communications
manager for Corporate Relations
• Teresa Violi Trombetta, assistant director for Development Events
• Katherine Walter, assistant director
of University Events