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Applications open February 16th to March 6th
See below for full application instructions.
Ideal Candidates
UI LEAD is a strong fit for individuals who:
- Are supervisors in an early- to mid-career stage looking to deepen their leadership self-awareness
- Directly manage and support the work, performance, and development of one or more individual contributors
- Have a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory role with real people-leadership experience to draw from
- Demonstrate openness to feedback and genuine curiosity about their impact on others
- Are motivated to grow as a leader of others — not just for personal development
- Have support from their own supervisor for the time and reflection the program requires
- Are ready to engage in coaching, peer dialogue, and sustained reflection throughout the program
Leadership Outcomes
Participants leave able to:
- Identify and articulate their leadership strengths and communication style
- Apply their strengths intentionally in day-to-day people-leadership situations
- Adapt their leadership approach to different people and situations
- Create a personalized leadership action plan for continued growth
2026 UI LEAD Schedule
| Session | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kickoff/Program Overview | Friday, May 29 | 8 a.m. – noon | In-person: UCC 2520D |
| Cohort Session 1: CliftonStrengths for Leaders | Thursday, June 11 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Zoom |
| Cohort Session 2: Coaching and Developing a Team | Tuesday, June 30 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Zoom |
| Cohort Session 3: DISC | Thursday, July 9 | 9 – 11 a.m. | Zoom |
| Cohort Session 4: Conflict Management and Change Management | Thursday, July 23 | 9 – 11 a.m. | In-person: UCC 2520D |
UI LEAD Celebration/Wrap Up | August 7 | 1.5 hours | UCC 2520D |
Participant Commitment
Participation in UI LEAD requires an active commitment to time, engagement, and leadership development.
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
- Attendance: Required for the opening session and at least three cohort sessions
- Program Work: Completion of all Critical Friends sessions and brief reflections
- Engagement: Active participation in cohort discussions, peer learning, and collaborative goal-setting
- Coaching: Participation in one-on-one coaching sessions and openness to feedback
- Accountability: Full presence in all activities and confirmation that your supervisor is aware of your participation
Supervisor Support
Supervisor involvement is a key component of participant success in UI LEAD.
- Opening Alignment: Meet with the participant at the start of the program to identify organizational objectives and discuss how you will support their development
- Ongoing Check-Ins: Meet periodically to discuss progress, reflect on learning, and review leadership goals
- Closing Reflection: Participate in a closing conversation to review growth, discuss continued development, and assess return on investment
- Program Engagement: Attend the UI LEAD wrap-up celebration to offer encouragement and model support for leadership development
How to Apply
- Secure support from your supervisor/faculty sponsor
- Complete the application form
Applications open from February 16th to March 6th
Final selections: March 31
Applicants notified: April 3
Questions?
Please reach out to oe-leader@uiowa.edu for any questions regarding UI LEAD.