THE REGENTS ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (RALI)

TBR SPONSORED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Higher Education is critical to the future success of Tennessee and its citizens.  It is too important to be left to default leadership.  The Tennessee Board of Regents launched the Regents Academic Leadership Institute (RALI) in June 2005 to provide an opportunity to develop and enhance leadership skills of academic leaders so that they can lead the academic unit to a higher level.  The program focuses on strengthening leadership for academic department chairs or academic unit heads.

In 2004, Dr. Paula Myrick Short, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents, identified the need for more professional and leadership development opportunities and sought funding and support from the Regents to develop a system-wide program to address the need.  TBR will cover the cost of the training, all supplies and materials, food, and lodging.  TBR institutions will be asked to cover travel associated with the year-long program and any support necessary for participants to be actively involved.

The RALI Class of 2006 begins with a four-day session from May 9 – 12, 2006 in Nashville.  Participants will have the opportunity to assess leadership styles, work with other academic leaders to solve actual problems, develop an informal network of expertise, enhance personal leadership skills, and develop mentoring and coaching relationships to provide continued support.  After the initial session, all participants will meet on a quarterly basis throughout the year to concentrate on topics of interest to the group.  There are plans to develop a virtual component to provide additional opportunities for leadership development and support throughout the year.  Participants will be encouraged to identify a mentor from their institution who will help deal with real campus issues the participant would like to tackle during the year.  The program format will use case studies and simulations to discuss real issues faced by academic administrators.

THE SELECTION OF THE RALI CLASS of 2006

TBR presidents are asked to nominate three or four individuals to participate in the RALI Class of 2006.  The RALI Advisory Committee determined that the class would have a minimum of one representative from each of the 13 community colleges and two representatives from each of the six universities.  If more than 25 participants can be accommodated, additional participants will be selected and distributed equably between community colleges and universities.  Alternates will be identified to insure the class is filled to capacity.  Not all nominees will be selected for participation in the RALI Class of 2006.  The goal is to identify a diverse group of chairs who represent all campuses and provide a wide range of experience and expertise from varied disciplines.  This will be an ongoing program.  We hope that all academic leaders who are interested will be able to participate in future sessions.

Additional details about the program and the application is available at:  http://rali.tbr.state.tn.us.  The application process and nomination form are available from the chief academic affairs officer at each TBR institution and are due to the TBR Office of Academic Affairs by March 10, 2006.  Candidates must receive the support of their dean, chief academic officer, and president in order to participate and will receive an invitation.