The AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program develops advanced leaders from across AgriLife who want to enhance their leadership and personal development skills. The program, which lasts for 2 years, builds leadership, while providing a greater understanding of The Texas A&M System and the land–grant mission. Learn more…

 

Overview | Outline/Details | Learn more.. | The Future

 

Overview

The AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program is a 2-year cohort initiative that focuses on leadership skills and experience, building upon participants’ current and future roles.  Aimed at those who are interested in developing a variety of leadership roles, the program also provides a greater understanding of The Texas A&M System, and the land–grant mission. Interaction with administrators, leadership professionals, and peers allows participants experiences and tools to enhance their effectiveness as leaders. As a result, knowledge of both College and agency-specific issues are deepened, as is knowledge of relevant international, national, and state topics.

The cohort is structured around six formal meetings, taking place in a 2 year period at Texas A&M AgriLife locations throughout the state. Participants implement personal development plans, that add value and enrich both the individual and his or her agency. Through awareness, interaction, and mastery of core competencies, participants develop their leadership, personal, and professional skills, while fostering advocacy and support for each component of Texas A&M AgriLife.

 

 

 

Core Competencies:

• Identifying and Building Relationships
• Recognizing and Developing a Professional Leadership Plan
• Learning Strategies for Professional Communication
• Establishing Vision, Ethics, and Integrity
• Managing Power and Influence
• Solving Problems Creatively
• Fostering Conflict Resolution and Managing Change
• Valuing Diversity

The program Executive Committee proposed avenues to keep the cohorts involved as a group once their formal 2 year participation is completed.  Their involvement would revolve around activities supporting the missions of the College and the four agencies.

• Serve as members of the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Executive Committee;
• Attend AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program advocacy presentations associated with their agency or college;
• Attend the AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program Induction Dinner;
• Participate in AgriLife Conference planning committees;
• Serve as AgriLife Advanced Leadership Program mentors;
• Meet annually for one or two-day development opportunities;
• Conduct a transfer survey in 12 months (to determine how learning experience successfully transferred to another setting);
• Ask department/unit supervisors to encourage and support continuing education opportunities for leadership development; and
• Participate in experiential learning opportunities (such as task forces, relevant meetings, and interim leadership roles).

 

 

Outline/Details

The cohort’s leadership experience begins with a formal induction dinner, then is structured around about six formal 2–3-day meetings, taking place over a 2 year period at locations affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife throughout the state. The group’s capstone project is assigned during the AgriLife Conference in January.

A variety of books, articles, and case studies reinforce core competencies and stimulate discussion. The assignments are designed for all participants. These, along with other assignments not listed, generate cohesion in and among AgriLife components.

Skills and Personality Inventories—Assessments will be completed by each of the participants.

Leadership Reflections —According to individual goals and vision, participants develop and implement a professional and personal leadership document.

Advocacy Presentations—Each group presentation includes participants from the same component of AgriLife. Presenters work closely with their directors, heads, or supervisors to deliver a presentation illustrating aspects of their profession and component’s mission. Presentations should be about 20–25 minutes with additional time for audience questions. Advocacy Presentations should:

• enhance professional communication via presentations;
• collaborate, cooperate, and build relationships with fellow presenters and supervisors assisting with the presentation;
• provide information on each component of Texas A&M AgriLife to participants from different components;
• generate a better understanding of each AgriLife component and its mission; and
• reflect each individual role in the mission of the specific AgriLife component.

Shadowing Experiences—Opportunity to experience direct exposure to an AgriLife component other than their own, and another opportunity to shadow a non-participant holding professional positions with Texas A&M AgriLife.

Capstone Leadership Project—Teams are assigned a leadership project allowing individuals opportunities to use knowledge gained through the program.

Session dates* for Cohort V are provided below:

• Induction Dinner: February 6, 2018 – College Station
• Setting the Course: April 16-19, 2018 – College Station
• Leadership Cornerstones: September 24-27, 2018 – Beaumont
• Leadership Cornerstones: January 7, 9-10, 2019 – College Station
• External Relations:March 25-28, 2019 – Austin
• Leadership Cornerstones: August 12-15, 2019 – Dallas
• Leadership in Action: October 7-10, 2019 – College Station
• Cohort V Graduation: January 8, 2020 – College Station

*Attendance is mandatory at all meetings; dates marked (tbc) will be confirmed at the earliest opportunity