College leadership program awarded

The Cochise College Leadership Academy recently earned honorable mention in the National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA) Exemplary Initiatives Competition.

NCIA is a professional organization affiliated with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The awards recognize outstanding ways to enhance the quality of higher education provided at U.S. community colleges.

Exemplary initiatives were solicited in the areas of student retention and success, curriculum innovation, organizational change, assessment of student learning, workforce development, and responding to community needs. A panel of community college practitioners from across the country evaluated 66 entries and selected 13 institutions for recognition.

The Cochise College leadership academy received honorable mention in the organizational change category. Currently in its first year, the academy was created to develop leadership qualities in employees at all levels of the institution and to maintain and cultivate the current culture of respect for differences, experimentation, trust, and support.

Fourteen participants were selected for the nine-month program, which is based on the American Association for Community College competencies of organizational strategy, resource management, communication, collaboration, community college advocacy and civic engagement, and professionalism.  The participants meet one Friday per month for six hours, with sessions facilitated by members of the administration, community leaders, and expert consultants in the field of leadership.

Winning and honorable mention institutions will present their programs and be recognized at NCIA’s Academy for Instructional Administrators in Philadelphia in April.