Accepting nominations November 29 – December 31, 2021
Next Class Begins February 2, 2022
NYSERNet and the SAIL Institute have partnered to provide a custom academy designed around a series of workshops to help both aspiring and current CIOs as well as IT practitioners develop and strengthen the skills needed to thrive in the higher education IT landscape. This cohort-based program moves participants through a journey of self-discovery, skill development and knowledge creation. A variety of pedagogical approaches are used to ensure that learners of all styles are able to engage in and contribute to the program.
The program is largely interactive, using a variety of small group discussions, role-playing opportunities, simulations, leadership assessments, panel discussions and case studies all situated within the context in which the modern CIO/IT practitioner exists. The faculty for the program include a combination of leadership development experts, experienced CIOs, mentors and professional certified executive coaches.
New this year, we are introducing two tracks: CIO and Aspiring Leader. Also, stay tuned for details about a new scholarship for the 2020 program! Nominations are now open and we encourage you to nominate a colleague or yourself! A selection committee will review nominations this December to determine the 2020 class. The academy kicks off February 6 & 7 in Albany!
All participants will come together at the academy kickoff and capstone events. See below for the differentiation between the two tracks:
CIO Track
- Two-day opening retreat with networking reception
- SUNY360 Leadership Skills Inventory Report
- Paired with an experienced CIO mentor
- Participation in three virtual growth sessions
- Participate in mid-semester learning and networking workshop
- Access to a professional certified executive coach to develop and execute an applied learning project. Meet the coaches!
Intended Audience
- New and aspiring chief information officers, chief digital information officers and information technology directors.
- Current directors/assistant directors, assistant CIOs or research directors with significant responsibility for information services, including information technology, computing, software support, information security, data infrastructure, library services and so forth.
- Those who provide the coordination and leadership for ensuring quality and success of information-related activities on their campuses.
- Additional job titles may include Analysts, Heads of Technology, Deputy CIOs, Dean of IT, AVPs, Information Security Officers etc.
Why Attend?
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Academy enables current and aspiring CIOs to strengthen their leadership ability by:
- Gaining new understanding of their personal leadership styles;
- Knowing when to use different leadership skills based on the situation;
- Being able to articulate a vision and turn the vision into implementation;
- Learning how to build and lead a team;
- Developing new collaboration skills; and
- Advancing their understanding of key issues confronting CIOs (e.g., information security, institutional data management and new data-enabled student success technologies).
Cost
$1750
This program fee includes the costs to administer the semester-long academy, including printed materials, speakers, personal 360 assessment, mentoring, professional coaching and meals while participating in-person.
This cost does not include associated travel to in-person events.
Aspiring Leaders Track
- Two-day opening retreat with networking reception
- Everything DiSC Workplace Style Assessment
- Paired with a mentor
- Participation in three virtual growth sessions
- Participation in public speaking curriculum to develop and refine executive presence skills
Intended Audience
- Current IT practitioners with significant responsibility for spanning various information technology-related services, including computing, software support, information security, data infrastructure, library services, etc.
- Those who provide the support and/or coordination of information-related activities on their campuses.
- May or may not have an interest in serving as a chief information officer, chief digital information officer or information technology director in the longer-term future, as this track is informational for aspiring IT leaders.
- Additional job titles may include Project Managers, Systems or Network Administrators or Managers, Lab and Classroom Technicians, etc.
Why Attend?
The Aspiring Leader experience enables IT practitioners an opportunity to strengthen their management abilities by:
- Gaining new understanding of their personal working styles;
- Knowing when to use different management skills based on the situation;
- Learning how to manage a team and conduct one-on-ones;
- Developing new collaboration skills;
- Refining their communication and executive presence skills; and
- Advancing their understanding of key issues confronting higher education IT leaders today.
Cost
$1050
This program fee includes the costs to administer the semester-long academy, including printed materials, personal DiSC, assessment, mentoring, and meals while participating in-person.
This cost does not include associated travel to in-person events.
Scholarships
1. SUNY CCIO is generously funding scholarships for qualified individuals. Below are the requirements to apply, and if you are interested in applying you must indicate this on the nomination site. The required forms (Scholarship Application and Supervisor Review forms) are available through this webpage and are accessible by clicking the buttons below. Completed forms should be emailed to leadership@suny.edu with the name of the scholarship as the subject line. Applications are due by December 6.
The individual must be from a SUNY school.
Applicants must provide:
- A resume
- A personal statement, no longer than 500 words, explaining:
- What leadership training you have had in the past.
- How you would benefit from the academy.
- How your institution would benefit from your participation in the academy.
- A support letter from the supervisor explaining:
- The individual’s leadership potential
- An expression of support for the individual to excel in the program
2. The Melissa Woo Scholarship will be awarded to one aspiring higher education IT leader representing any underrepresented population. To apply for this $350 scholarship, applicants must send an email to leadership@suny.edu by December 6 including the following:
- A resume
- A completed application, which should include:
- a personal statement, no longer than 500 words, explaining why you are applying for the 2020 CIO Leadership Academy and how this would benefit you.
- Signature of supervisor signifying their support of your participation in the academy
Applied Learning Experience
As part of the CIO-track learning experience, participants will be expected to develop a plan to lead the implementation or development of an initiative, project or sub-project on his or her campus. Participants should come to the opening retreat with an idea for a project that they could move forward in a three- to 12-month time-frame. A planning framework will be provided and discussed during the opening retreat and participants will be expected to work on the development of the plan with pre-assigned learning groups during the duration of the meeting. Each participant will present his or her action plan as part of the capstone event. Plans should be developed by each individual in collaboration with other participant(s). Additionally, each CIO-track participant will have access to a professionally certified executive coach for one 90-minute personal coaching session to assist them in implementing the applied learning project, and enhancing their ability to lead on campus more broadly.
Aspiring Leaders will be challenged to participate in a public speaking/executive presence curriculum throughout the semester, culminating with a presentation at the capstone event May 12.
Applied Learning Library coming soon!
Instructional Philosophy
This cohort-based program moves participants through a journey of self-discovery, skill development and knowledge creation. A variety of pedagogical approaches are used to ensure that learners of all styles are able to engage in and contribute to the program. The program is largely interactive, using a variety of small group discussions, role-playing opportunities, simulations, leadership assessments, panel discussions and case studies all situated within the context in which the modern CIO/IT practitioner exists. The faculty for the program will be a combination of leadership development experts, mentors, professionally certified executive coaches and experienced CIOs.
Opening Retreat (Virtual)
Opening Sessions
Discovering Leadership, including 360 orientation
Day 1: February 2, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Day 2: February 3, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Day 3: February 10, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Growth Session 1
Growth Session 1: Managing Up & Time Management Essentials
March 1
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mid-semester Learning & Networking Event
March 24
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
NYSERNet in-person in Syracuse, or virtual if necessary
Virtual Growth Session 2
Growth Session 2: Leading Through Change & Conflict; Considerations for Working in a Union Environment
April 7
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Growth Session 3
Growth Session 3: Professional Presence and Communicating as a Leader – Including a Mentor Panel Discussion
May 3
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Capstone Event & Graduation
One day graduation event and presentation of applied learning projects
May 12
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
NYSERNet
Meet the 2020 Mentors
Read their bios
J. Brice Bible
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
University at Buffalo
Farhat (Meena) Lakhavani
CIO and Vice Provost Information Technology Services Erie Community College
Mary Hand
Chief Information Officer
Adirondack Community College
John Kolb
Vice President for Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer
Rensselaer Polytechnic University
Sean Moriarty
Chief Technology Officer
State University of New York at Oswego
Testimonials
I liked that it wasn’t just one and done. It was a program that spanned several months and prompted you to continue your leadership journey. All to often we come back and lose our excitement. This allowed you to come back and continue with gentle prompting.
The last time I participated in a leadership session was 2007. I was able to see how I have changed and grown since then. The Capstone event – for many reasons – from hearing what my peers say about me via evaluations and the certificate presentation – filled me with a confidence I haven’t felt in a while. Our roles today are so FULL and there is SO much to do. Being able to take the time to focus on myself had an incredible impact on me and I look forward becoming a more confident leader.
The CIO Leadership Academy opened my mind and forced me to identify areas outside of my comfort zone. I met great people, learned so much, and valued my time with my mentor. It is an amazing program!
As a VERY new manager there was A LOT that I needed to learn and be exposed to and this program did a great job of covering many of the basics. The number of times we were together in person and virtually seemed just right; it didn’t impose too much on our duties and time yet kept us engaged and connected instead of just going to a one time conference and then back to our “real” work at our respective campuses. The SUNY360 – Leadership Skills Inventory was so helpful to me to see how other perceived me at the various levels. Not only was the content right on target for me, networking and meeting colleagues in the same (and similar) positions at other institutions was invaluable. The mentors did an amazing job of listening, offering advice and suggestions and sharing their expertise. All of the sessions were engaging and very informative. Thank you all for all your work in running this program and preparing us as leaders!
I loved hanging and living with folks in my own world.