The Illinois Academic Leadership and Management Institute (ALMI) is a small, interactive academic leadership The Academic Leadership and Management Institute (ALMI) is an interactive academic leadership and professional development program for faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Grainger College of Engineering. The institute offers two programs: (1) Taking Control of Your Academic Career and the (2) Principled Academic Leadership Program (PAL).
Taking Control of Your Academic Career
Course content is delivered by experts from the National Center for Principled Leadership & Research Ethics (NCPRE) using individual and group exercises, lectures, case studies, and discussions. The program build peer relationships, networks, and shared knowledge.
Previous attendees said:
~ The program exceeded my expectations. I found the exercises thought-provoking and valued the opportunity to interact with peers in different departments, who all brought very different perspectives.
~ It was a great opportunity to meet other assistant professors in different programs and discuss our common struggles, challenges, and potential solutions. The advice offered on how to deal with situations, what we might encounter, and how to prioritize our time was insightful.
~ I felt like the program was very useful for thinking big-picture about how I want to approach this phase of my career, finding resources online and on campus, and getting to know the cohort.
Objectives
- Equipping faculty with the tools they will need for successful careers at the University of Illinois
- Enhancing the ability of faculty to provide strong research group experiences for undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars
- Building a network among early-career investigators to support each other as peer mentors
Benefits
- Access to academic leadership experts, including resources and tools
- Participation in a peer network
- Certificate of completion at the end of the program for faculty competing all of the sessions
How to participate:
Submit your Spring 2027 Cohort Application by December 4, 2026.
Application
Interested applicants should discuss their potential participation with their department chair/head, institute, or center director with the understanding that this time commitment is significant for an investigator since, if accepted, the participants must attend the entire course. Participants in the course will be selected in a competitive review process with 10-15 applicants being accepted each year.
Please have the following ready to upload before you begin filling out the application:
- 200-400 word personal statement describing why you should be selected for this leadership development program
- A current CV
Course content and dates
Using time- and cost-effective online cohorts with experienced facilitators that meet for 10 highly-interactive two-hour sessions over an academic year, the program is designed to support faculty success—and that of their students.
Feb. 2, 2027 - You and the Academic Environment
The academic environment provides opportunities for growth and development, and it can also present its own unique challenges. This program provides a grounding on the challenges and opportunities special to the academic environment. Participants are introduced to tools and resources to help them navigate their early years as a faculty member, along with an overview of the mission and structure of Illinois as a Land Grant institution.
Feb. 23, 2027 - Setting Up Your Group for Success
Through interactive sessions and discussions, participants will explore the complexities of becoming an authority figure, learn strategies for setting boundaries, and how to foster inclusive and supportive environments in their research groups and beyond. This program presents practical tools and insights for navigating challenging situations, communicating effectively, and establishing shared expectations with students.
March 23, 2027 - Managing People and Giving Effective Feedback
This session aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to deliver feedback in a constructive and impactful manner, fostering a positive and supportive research environment. Through interactive discussions and case studies, attendees will learn strategies for delivering feedback that is specific, actionable, and respectful. By mastering the art of giving feedback, assistant professors can cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence in their research endeavors.
April 13, 2027 - Foundations of Communication and Difficult Conversations
Participants will learn techniques for navigating challenging conversations effectively within a research context. Topics include addressing conflicts, aligning with others for problem-solving, and managing difficult interactions with colleagues, collaborators, and students. By assessing their own conflict comfort and style, participants will explore strategies for managing their own responses to difficult situations and aim to model healthy conflict as a normal part of the research process.
May 4, 2027 - First Semester Capstone
This session brings together the material discussed during this first semester centered around a longer case study. Participants are all invited to share their experiences as an early career faculty member and receive and advice and feedback from program facilitators and other cohort members.