DEO Workshops and Conversations with Campus Leaders

THESE INTERACTIVE SESSIONS WILL NOT BE RECORDED.

The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is invested in fostering your leadership development and professional growth. We provide a tailored series of workshops and conversations specifically designed for departmental executive officers (DEOs) to build essential skills, enhance self-awareness, improve focus, and practice resilience.

DEO workshops and conversations will not be recorded to allow participants to ask frank questions and discuss leadership issues in real time. We offer these via Teams to allow for the most flexible access.

Date/TimeSessionCOHORTDESCRIPTIONRESOURCES
Sep 10, 2025
8–9:30 am
Teams
Leading Through the Faculty Career Life CycleDEOsUnderstand UI faculty tracks, ranks, distribution, and demographics; Map your unit faculty; Manage opportunities and challenges related to the faculty career life cycleMapping your departmental faculty
Sep 25, 2025
8–9 am
Teams
Conversation with Academic LeadershipDEOsKevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost 
Oct 7, 2025
1:30–2:30 pm
Teams
Navigating Difficult ConversationsDEOsUnderstand different conflict management styles and their impact on difficult conversations; Learn specific strategies for navigating various types of difficult conversations; Create psychological safety to facilitate open dialogue and problem-solving 
Oct 21, 2025
8–9 am
Teams
Conversation with Communication LeadershipDEOsJeneane Beck, assistant vice president for external relations
Maria Lukas, deputy general counsel
 
Nov 12, 2025
9:30–10:30 am
Teams
Collaborative Leadership: Enhancing Faculty Decision Making Through DialogueDEOsCreate a welcoming and inclusive faculty culture; Practice participatory decision making; Collaborate for effective problem solving 
Dec 2, 2025
8–9 am
Teams
Taking the Misery out of MeetingsDEOsIdentify and eliminate negative factors that make meetings miserable; Utilize new principles for scheduling and preparing for productive meetings; Build faculty trust through proactive facilitation and follow-up 
Feb 3, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Conducting Annual ReviewsDEOsReframe the purpose of the annual review; Establish clear expectations and outcomes for faculty performance; Document faculty goals, achievements, and support opportunities 
Feb 18, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Conversation with Research LeadershipDEOsDavid Schwebel, vice president for research 
Mar 12, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Conversation with Finance LeadershipDEOsTerry Johnson, university chief financial officer and treasurer
Emily Campbell, associate vice president for operations and decision support
 
Mar 25, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Managing Up, Down, and SidewaysDEOsAlign department goals with college/university goals (Up); Build trust and confidence in your team (Down); Collaborate with peers to mobilize support for a tangible vision (Sideways) 
Apr 8, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Conversation with Student Affairs LeadershipDEOsSarah Hansen, vice president for student life
Angie Reams, associate vice president and dean of students
 
Apr 28, 2026
8–9 am
Teams
Care for Yourself and OthersDEOsRecognize the difference between stress and anxiety; Reframe how we talk about emotions; Develop strategies for mindfulness and resilience 

Iowa Academic Leadership Academy

The Iowa Academic Leadership Academy (IALA) is designed to assist new or aspiring leaders (e.g., DEOs, program directors, associate deans) in making a successful transition to these key campus leadership roles. The program is designed to be complementary to collegiate support for leaders. Competency-based content will be delivered via small cohorts and one-on-one mentoring tailored to individual needs and goals. There will also be an opportunity to meet and learn from key institutional leaders.

Program participants will experience:

  • Competency-based curriculum built upon national models and research
  • Cross-college cohort interactions with other leaders to discuss topics and challenges
  • Self-guided learning carried out in confidential one-on-one coaching sessions
  • Access to key resources, both people and tools, to assist with leadership issues as they emerge
  • Networking opportunities with seasoned campus leaders

Nominations for participation in the cohort must be submitted through collegiate deans and associate deans for faculty. Call for nominations will be sent late April/early May.

Competency-based Curriculum

The program includes content that will address: the transition to a new role, basic management skills, development of skills to successfully lead others, and development of a vision for your department and for yourself.

Group Sessions:

  • Making the Transition to Leadership
  • Managing Data
  • Managing People
  • Managing Culture
  • Department Action Plan Development
  • Individual Action Plan Development

Executive Coaching Sessions

Participants meet one-on-one with trained Organizational Effectiveness leadership coaches to clarify individual goals and develop tailored learning objectives.

Mentorship Programming

Teaming with a seasoned academic leader for one-on-one mentoring to discuss personal and professional goals as a leader and how to achieve those goals.

Networking Opportunities

Participants will develop cross-college cohort interactions with other leaders to discuss topics and challenges; network with seasoned campus leaders; and gain access to key resources, both people and tools, to assist with leadership issues as they emerge.

Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Development Opportunities

The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) offers a comprehensive range of leadership development programs designed for faculty and higher education administrators, bringing perspectives that are unique to individuals from large R1 universities. 

BTAA Academic Leadership Program (ALP)

BTAA Department Executive Officer (DEO) Seminars

BTAA Deans Leadership Program (DLP)

Deans, Directors, DEO Listserv

Maintained by UI Printing and Mailing Services; directed toward deans, directors, and departmental officers but also open to other subscribers.