ICI Announces Sixth Cohort Of Leadership Academy To Prepare Emerging Leaders

INDIANAPOLIS — Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) has announced the members of the sixth cohort of its ICI Leadership Academy.
The year-long program is designed to support the leadership development of faculty and staff from Indiana’s private, nonprofit college campuses. Since its launch, the program has supported the professional development of more than 140 faculty and staff leaders from Indiana’s private colleges, according to a news release from ICI.
“The Leadership Academy challenges participants to think beyond individual roles and departments and to lead with an institution-wide mindset,” said Laura Bridges, vice president and COO at ICI. “That perspective is increasingly critical as colleges respond to financial pressures, workforce needs, and evolving student expectations.”
Each participant was identified by their sponsoring institution as someone whose leadership will be critical to the college’s future. Members of the sixth cohort represent a wide range of functional areas, including academic affairs, student life, enrollment, advancement, finance, marketing and operations. Members of the sixth cohort include Karla McGehee, associate provost, Grace College; and Tish Kalita, executive director of experiential learning and external relations, Manchester University.
Throughout the program, participants gain a deeper understanding of their institutions as integrated systems and explore higher education within the broader state and federal policy context. Leadership Academy graduates are trained to view their college through multiple lenses (academic, financial, community involvement and others) and to develop the leadership competencies needed for their institution and their own professional success.
“Now in its sixth year, the Leadership Academy has become a cornerstone of ICI’s commitment to talent development,” said Dottie L. King, president and CEO of ICI. “Alumni of the program are already making a measurable impact across campuses, and this new cohort builds on that strong foundation.”