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UNLV Leadership Experience

A program to empower everyday leaders

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The UNLV Leadership Experience is a program designed to help emerging leaders expand their knowledge and skills while providing a glimpse into university administration. It educates participants about the complex operations of a large research institution and introduces them to various leadership roles. The program also invites diverse ideas and promotes inclusion at the highest levels of the university.

This is the second in a series of progressive leadership development programs at UNLV. Applicants to this program must first complete the Management Training Academy (MTA) offered through the Office of Human Resources. To create the broadest possible internal talent pool of future leaders, even those with limited or no past leadership experience, who have completed MTA, are welcome to apply.

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Objectives

  • Grow a larger and more diverse pool of prospective campus leaders
  • Provide emerging university leaders with structured opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills
  • Promote core institutional values
  • Increase faculty and staff participation in shared governance

“Authentic leadership is demonstrated by individuals across the university, regardless of role or title, by the confidence, respect, and trust they earn from others. We are committed to a model of servant leadership that emphasizes building inclusive teams and empowering everyday leaders.”

Chris L. Heavey, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Provost

Meet the Participants

  • Andrew Borts
    Senior Instructional Technology Support Specialist
  • Warren D. Cobb, MFA
    Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts
  • Heather Dahl-Jacinto, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor, Counseling Core Faculty, CED Program Coordinator
  • Jason Griffin
    Senior Information Security Analyst
  • Han-fen Hu, Ph.D.
    Professor, Graduate Coordinator for IS Programs
  • Sonal Shah, DDS
    Associate Professor-in-Residence of Clinical Sciences

Meet the Mentors

Program Details

The UNLV Leadership Experience includes a formal curriculum of leadership preparation seminars along with mentorship from a senior university administrator.

Participants are matched with mentors based on their professional background and interests identified in their application materials. The participant and mentor will work together to establish goals and expectations for their work together, including particular topics of interest and a project to be completed during the program.

The seminars cover prominent topics in higher education and leadership development, such as:

  • Diversity and social justice
  • Shared governance
  • The changing landscape of higher education
  • Communications
  • Cultural humility
  • Emotional intelligence

The UNLV Leadership Experience is a 3-semester program that begins in the fall and continues through the spring semester, concluding in the following fall.

Participants are expected to attend all program events and meetings. Additional time will be required for work on a special project. The expected time commitment is four to eight hours per month.

Application Process

Applications for the Leadership Experience are accepted every other spring for the cohort that will begin the following fall. When the application period is open, announcements will be made on this webpage and through other campus communication channels.

Full-time academic faculty, administrative faculty, and classified staff who have completed the Management Training Academy (MTA) course are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a strong interest in and potential for advancing in university leadership positions.

The ability of a department or unit to maintain operations with the loss of a portion of an applicant’s time will be considered. Thus, individuals must consult with and receive approval from their supervisor prior to application.

Applicants must submit the following (combined into a single PDF file, in the order specified below):

  • Cover sheet with your full name, job title, department/unit, college/division, email address, and phone number.
  • Statement of program interest (two page maximum)
  • Statement of leadership interests as they align with Top Tier 2.0 (one page maximum)
  • Current curriculum vitae or resume
  • Letter of support from the applicant's direct supervisor (one page maximum)
  • Letter of reference (one page maximum)

Complete applications must be submitted online by the published deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of designees from the Offices of the Executive Vice President and Provost and Human Resources, as well as other senior administrators. Applicants will be notified of the decision via email by mid-May.

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