AUCD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD)
& the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD)
are proud to present the
5th Annual AUCD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
June 21-25, 2021
We recognize that travel and in-person gatherings for events is still not safe. With the success of our 2020 virtual Leadership Academy, we have chosen to continue and build upon that format for 2021.
We were also influenced by the many lessons in meeting, teaching, and learning in virtual spaces over the last year. We know this year’s Leadership Academy is not the same experience as an in-person event, but we are confident that it will be equally meaningful and engaging.
Some of the changes we are planning involve increasing the number of pre-Academy webinars, asking you to do additional preparatory work on your own, and shortening the time of our Academy days. What will remain the same is our commitment to each of you in the cohort and to your growth toward leadership.
What To Expect: Content Areas
Courage to Lead comes from the Center for Courage and Renewal, which was founded by Parker Palmer. It is a framework for groups that is designed to facilitate self-reflection and connection for the purpose of building leadership. The training will also support participants’ resilience and integrity to sustain their commitment to solving complex social issues and also create a community of leaders and advocates that recognizes and honors differences and diversity.
Trainees will learn about the history of disability and other civil rights movements. The trainees will participate in presentations on the evolution of disability policy and learn about current issues in national policy and implications for states. Facilitated discussions will center on topics such as advocacy, independent living, and the Disability Rights movement today. Throughout the week, trainees will have an opportunity to tour historical sites such as the National Center for Human Rights, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, the Carter Center, and much more to learn more about the history of disability and civil rights.
Trainees will participate in experiences designed to increase their knowledge and skills related to forming and maintaining successful partnerships that feature alliances across organizations and perspectives. Trainees will be exposed to Collective Impact, a model that is used to help people and organizations come together to solve complex social problems.
Trainees will reflect on their personal commitments and style of leadership. Trainees will also complete strengths assessments which will be processed during the in-person training and utilized in the development of personal leadership goals.
Pre-Learning Webinars
In past years, we used these pre-webinars to set the stage for your time with us in Atlanta. This year they are a little longer because we think it is important to establish your familiarity with some of the content in order to make the most of our reduced – but nonetheless intensive – time during the week of December 14, 2020.
| Event | Date | Time |
| Courage and Renewal/Group Agreements | Apr. 1st | 4:00 - 5:00pm EST |
| Getting to Know Your Cohort | Apr. 15th | 4:00 - 5:00pm EST |
| Strengths Based Leadership and VIA | Apr. 29th | 4:00 - 5:00pm EST |
| Two Loops Model of Organizational Change | May 13th | 4:00 - 5:15pm EST |
| Collective Impact | May 27th | 4:00 - 5:00pm EST |
| Creating your Learning Space | June 10th | 4:00 - 5:00pm EST |
Participants are expected to participate in a variety of learning opportunities:
- Short readings designed to orient trainees to core concepts prior to the in-person training
- Webinars occurring before and after the in-person training
- Strengths assessment activities
- Visit to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Leadership Coaching and Leadership Self Reflecting ALLY relationships
- Individual and group-based reflection
- Group discussions and structured forums
- Goal setting
- Develop participants’ self-awareness of leadership strengths.
- Provide a forum for discerning professional and organization values, vision, and core commitments.
- Support participants’ resilience and integrity to sustain a commitment to solving complex social issues.
- Create a community of leaders and advocates that recognizes and honors differences and diversity.
Leadership self-reflection allies (“allies”) are peers and faculty from the Leadership Academy. Monthly phone calls will provide support for continued reflection and growth in regards to leadership skills. Our goal is for allies to support continued development as leaders, contributing to each individuals’ continued self-reflection and growth.
Ally Responsibilities
- Monthly telephone call
- Reflecting upon leadership strengths and weaknesses and growing leadership skills
Leadership coaches will serve as local supports and models for trainees, helping them to translate their leadership skills into action. Prior to their meetings, at the in-person training event, trainees will identify leadership goals that are connected to activities that are integral to his/her work and commitments. These goals will not be in supplement to their expected responsibilities. Coaches will model leadership skills, deliver strengths-based feedback, provide psychosocial support, aid networking, and facilitate problem-solving.
Coach Responsibilities
- Participate in an orientation designed to introduce coaches to the AUCD Leadership Academy and its coaching component
- Support trainee in growing leadership skills and achieving leadership goals identified via participation in the AUCD Leadership Academy (see above for more information about goals)
- Model leadership skills, deliver strengths-based feedback, provide psychosocial support, aid networking, and facilitate problem-solving
- Meet formally at least 4 times; also provide at least one opportunity for trainee to observe the coach’s leadership skills and observe the trainee once
Meet The Leadership Team
Contact Us
Address
Center for Leadership in Disability
75 Piedmont Avenue NE
Suite 514
Atlanta, GA 30303