SF launches inaugural President's Leadership Academy
September 19, 2025
青青草视频 (SF) officially kicked off its new President's Leadership Academy (PLA) program on September 19, marking the beginning of an innovative initiative designed to cultivate the institution's next generation of leaders.
The inaugural cohort of 23 faculty and staff gathered for the first of eight interactive classroom sessions that will run through January 30, 2026. The comprehensive program aims to identify, prepare, and motivate SF's leaders 鈥� and emerging leaders 鈥� while creating pathways for internal advancement in alignment with the college's strategic plan.
"This program represents our commitment to investing in our people and building a stronger leadership pipeline that will benefit both our college community and the students we serve," said Asha Brunings, who serves as a PLA program manager alongside Tom Ackerman, chair of the SF Institute of Public Safety and program co-manager.
The PLA curriculum is structured in three progressive phases: Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization. Participants will explore leadership competencies such as ethics and integrity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and decision-making, problem solving, communication, leadership modeling and mentoring, teambuilding, and organizational transformation.
The program welcomes participants with varying levels of leadership experience, from those with minimal or no leadership experience to seasoned leaders, creating a diverse learning environment that encourages cross-departmental collaboration and relationship building.
As the college鈥檚 first annual leadership development initiative, the President's Leadership Academy represents a significant investment in employee growth and the institution's commitment to developing homegrown leadership talent to serve both the college and the broader community.
"We are confident that the PLA experience will foster their professional development and personal growth, providing them with valuable insights they will carry forward in their career and beyond," said Ackerman.
Sessions will be held at the Northwest Campus, Blount Center, and Kirkpatrick Center, and participants will engage in online discussions through the CANVAS learning management system. Discussions will incorporate materials from a John Maxwell text, case studies, current events, and other relevant resources. Experiential learning opportunities include a day trip to the State Capitol in Tallahassee and attending a Board of Trustees meeting, designed to enhance participants' understanding of leadership in practice.
The PLA experience will culminate with capstone project presentations during SF Professional Development Day on March 27, 2026. Information about applying for the Fall 2026 PLA cohort will be provided during that event in March.
