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National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education

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Applications of AI for Professional Development

Ever wonder how artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Chat-GPT4 can help advance your professional development goals? A NAPAHE member recently had the following interaction with Chat-GPT and, with a little redirection, found NAPAHE as a suggested resource. They shared the generative output with us to publish, not as a prescription but as a content-relevant illustration of the potential use of AI in advancing the learning of members. You can see the inputs and outputs listed below.

Suggest a professional development program, including short term learning experiences, degree pursuit, reading materials and professional association engagement for higher education professionals serving senior college and university leaders.

Chat-GPT said:

Developing a comprehensive professional development program for higher education professionals who support senior college and university leaders requires a multi-faceted approach, combining short-term learning experiences, advanced degree programs, reading materials, and active engagement with professional associations. Here's a structured program that can help these professionals grow their leadership, management, and strategic skills.

Short-Term Learning Experiences

A. Workshops & Seminars

Leadership Development:

Programs: Harvard Institutes for Higher Education (HIHE) Leadership programs such as the Management Development Program (MDP) or the Institute for Educational Management (IEM).

Duration: Typically 1-2 weeks in person or virtual.

Focus: Leadership principles, strategic planning, decision-making, and team dynamics specific to higher education.

Higher Education Finance & Budgeting:

Programs: National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) offers workshops on financial management for higher education leaders.

Focus: Budget planning, financial analysis, resource allocation, and revenue generation strategies.

Crisis Management & Communication:

Programs: Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network workshops on crisis leadership.

Focus: Managing institutional crises, stakeholder communication, and maintaining leadership under pressure.

B. Certificates and Online Courses

University of Pennsylvania Executive Education: Offers Higher Education Leadership Certificates focused on strategic planning and management.

Coursera or EdX Programs:

Topics: Educational Leadership, Higher Education Administration, and Strategic Decision-Making.

Flexible Learning: Great for part-time, online engagement.

C. Mentorship and Coaching

One-on-One Coaching: Engaging with a leadership coach experienced in higher education can help professionals refine their leadership style and strategy.

Mentorship: Partnering with a senior executive at a university can provide valuable insights and guidance.

Pursuit of an Advanced Degree

A. Master’s or Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership

Programs:

    • Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership: Offered by universities like the University of Southern California (USC), Vanderbilt University, or University of Pennsylvania.
    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Administration: Offered by universities like Harvard or Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Focus: Governance, policy, institutional strategy, and organizational behavior specific to higher education institutions.

B. Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Focus on Higher Education

Programs:

    • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler Business School): Offers a concentration on higher education leadership.
    • University of Massachusetts Amherst (Isenberg School of Management): MBA programs focused on higher education.

Focus: Leadership, strategic management, business operations, and higher education finance.

Reading List

A. Seminal Books

    • "The Innovative University" by Clayton M. Christensen and Henry J. Eyring. Focuses on how institutions can adapt to changing environments through innovation.
    • "Leading Academic Change: Essential Roles for Department Chairs" by Ann F. Lucas. Offers insights into academic leadership at the department level, relevant for aspiring senior leaders.
    • "Organizational Theory in Higher Education" by Kathleen Manning. Provides a comprehensive overview of how organizational theory applies to higher education settings.
    • "Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership" by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal. Focuses on leadership through multiple frames: structural, human resource, political, and symbolic.
    • "The Learning Paradigm College" by John Tagg. Examines the shift from instruction-focused to learning-focused higher education models.

B. Articles and Journals

    • "Managing the Research University" by Dean O. Smith. A comprehensive look at research universities and their management challenges.
    • "The Chronicle of Higher Education" and "Inside Higher Ed". Stay up-to-date with current trends, challenges, and innovations in higher education leadership.
    • Harvard Business Review (HBR). Articles focused on leadership and management that can be applied to higher education settings.

Professional Association Engagement

A. Join Professional Associations

    • American Council on Education (ACE). Provides leadership development programs, mentorship opportunities, and research on critical higher education topics.
    • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Offers professional development related to higher education finance and operations.
    • Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). Engages members in research and policy discussions on the future of higher education.
    • The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). Focuses on integrated planning for higher education institutions, including strategic and campus planning.
    • American Association of University Administrators (AAUA). Provides networking, conferences, and publications that focus on leadership and administrative practices.

B. Attend Conferences

    • ACE Annual Meeting. Key event for senior leaders to discuss current challenges and innovations in higher education.
    • ASHE Annual Conference. Focuses on research and policy in higher education.
    • SCUP Annual Conference. Offers insights into strategic and integrated planning in higher education.

C. Engage in Leadership Groups

    • Women in Higher Education Leadership Institutes (WHELI). Targeted development programs for women aspiring to higher leadership roles.
    • National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). Helps support leadership development with a focus on faculty success and retention, particularly underrepresented groups.

Reflective Practice and Action Plan Development

Leadership Reflection Journal: Encourage the use of a journal to reflect on leadership lessons and personal growth as they navigate through different experiences.

Develop a Strategic Action Plan: After completing workshops or degree programs, apply knowledge to current leadership challenges and outline an action plan for professional development.

Conclusion

This professional development program provides a balanced combination of short-term learning experiences, long-term degree pursuits, recommended reading materials, and professional association engagement. It allows higher education professionals to continually enhance their skills in supporting senior university leadership, ensuring they stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the field.

After reviewing Chat-GPT's output, the member responded:

The response seems more weighted to professional development opportunities for the senior leaders themselves, rather than the higher education professionals supporting those leaders. For example, the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) and the Association of Governing Boards board professionals group were omitted as potential conference and professional association resources.

Chat-GPT said:

You're right—when focusing on higher education professionals who support senior leaders (such as chiefs of staff, executive assistants, and board professionals), it's important to include resources and associations tailored specifically to their roles. Here’s a more targeted professional development program that considers the needs of those supporting senior leadership.

Short-Term Learning Experiences

A. Workshops & Conferences Specific to Supporting Senior Leaders

NAPAHE (National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education) Annual Conference

Focus: Tailored for professionals who serve senior higher education leaders, this conference offers sessions on leadership support, crisis management, communication, and strategic administrative skills.

Engagement: Networking with peers in similar roles, learning from case studies, and sharing best practices.

Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Board Professionals Conference

Focus: Specifically for professionals supporting boards of trustees and senior governance. Sessions cover governance, board relations, strategic planning, and how to support effective leadership.

Special Programs: Workshops on board meeting management, trustee onboarding, and board communication strategies.

B. Professional Development Programs

Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Leadership Programs (Adapted for staff supporting leadership). While some programs are tailored for senior leaders, select offerings include skill-building workshops on executive decision-making, organizational communication, and supporting leadership in crisis.

American Council on Education (ACE) Workshops for Support Roles. ACE offers short-term seminars that focus on leadership development for those in administrative roles, including supporting executives in governance, strategy, and change management.

C. Online Courses and Certifications

Higher Education Administration Certification: Many universities (e.g., Northeastern University or University of Louisville) offer online certificates in higher education administration that provide tools and insights for those supporting senior leaders.

Communication and Crisis Management Training: Online platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer short-term courses on strategic communication, emotional intelligence, and project management—all critical for staff supporting leadership.

Pursuit of Advanced Degrees (Targeted for Supporting Roles)

A. Master’s in Higher Education Administration

Some professionals may benefit from a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education with a focus on administration rather than executive leadership. These programs often emphasize skills needed to navigate higher education governance, budgeting, and institutional policies.

Schools offering these programs include Vanderbilt’s Peabody College and Penn State’s World Campus.

B. Graduate Certificates in Governance or Strategic Communication

Governance or Strategic Leadership Certificates: Offered by institutions such as Georgetown University or Harvard Extension, these programs focus on building competencies around supporting decision-making, organizational governance, and leadership communications.

Reading List (For Those Supporting Senior Leaders)

A. Books Focused on Leadership Support and Strategy

    • "The Trusted Executive Assistant: Supporting Success and Leadership" by Laura Stack. Provides insight into the role of executive assistants in enabling leaders’ success, covering time management, communication, and strategic decision support.
    • "The Effective Board of Trustees" by Richard P. Chait. A great resource for board professionals, this book offers insights into how boards function and how professionals can best support governance processes.
    • "Governance Reconsidered: How Boards, Presidents, Administrators, and Faculty Can Help Their Colleges Thrive" by Susan R. Pierce. Ideal for those involved in supporting boards and senior leadership teams. It covers governance challenges and collaborative leadership strategies.

B. Articles and Journals

"BoardSource" and "AGB's Trusteeship Magazine". Offers relevant articles for professionals supporting boards and trustees, covering trends in governance and leadership support.

C. NAPAHE Publications

NAPAHE produces resources and guides focused on leadership support and administrative excellence.

Professional Association Engagement

A. Join Professional Associations Specific to the Role

National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE)

Engagement: Attend conferences, engage in networking, and access resources focused on the administrative and leadership support side of higher education.

Focus Areas: Best practices in managing presidential offices, communication between leadership and stakeholders, and strategic administrative planning.

Association of Governing Boards (AGB) Board Professionals

Engagement: Join a community of professionals who manage the logistics and operations of boards of trustees, focusing on governance, compliance, and strategic communication.

Conferences: Attend the annual Board Professionals Conference for specialized sessions on trustee relations, board development, and governance.

B. Additional Relevant Associations

American Association of University Administrators (AAUA): Focuses on the professional development of administrators supporting leadership, offering resources on leadership support and institutional administration.

Society for College and University Planning (SCUP): For those involved in strategic planning and institutional governance, SCUP offers a range of resources on integrated planning.

C. Attend Relevant Conferences

    • NAPAHE Annual Conference
    • AGB Board Professionals Conference
    • American Council on Education (ACE) Annual Meeting: Offers useful sessions for those supporting senior leaders, especially on governance, institutional strategy, and leadership transitions.

Reflective Practice and Tailored Action Plan

Create a Strategic Support Plan: Use insights from conferences and workshops to develop a tailored strategy for supporting senior leadership, focusing on improving internal communication, decision-making processes, and stakeholder management.

Mentorship and Peer Learning: Seek out mentorship from experienced senior-level support staff or engage in peer learning communities to share best practices and challenges.

Conclusion

This updated program provides a more targeted approach for higher education professionals supporting senior leadership. It combines specialized training, degree programs, and association engagement that directly align with the needs of professionals who serve in support capacities, such as those in presidential offices or board management. By focusing on strategic administrative support, governance, and communication, the program helps enhance the capabilities of these professionals in their crucial roles.