AWM-HERS Leadership Development Program

AWM-HERS Leadership Training Workshop

Beginning in 2027, AWM will partner with Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) to offer its first Leadership Training Opportunity. This initiative will prepare current and emerging  leaders in mathematics for roles such as department chairs, deans, and institutional change agents. The program is designed for women who are aspiring to or entering early stages of administrative leadership, with a focus on practical skill-building, peer networking, and sustained reflection. The workshop will be delivered in two phases. An approximate schedule and list of topics is below. To be eligible for participation, you must commit to attending all sessions.

Phase 1: Two-day In-person Leadership Institute in conjunction with the JMM in Chicago on January 11 and 12, 2027

January 11, 2027

Topic Time Facilitators Key Learning Outcomes
Breakfast Provided 8:00 am – 8:30 am
Welcome and Introductions 8:30 am – 9:00 am TBD*
Understanding Self as a Leader 9:00 am – 10:30 am TBD* Identify leadership styles
and self-assess strengths
Break 10:30am – 10:45 am
Introduction to Unit/Department
Strategic Planning		 10:45 am – 12:15 pm TBD* Apply strategic planning
tools to academic
settings
Lunch provided 12:15pm – 1:30 pm
Aligning Departmental Goals
and Institutional Goals		 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm TBD* Develop strategies for realizing
departmental goals
Break 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Managing Faculty & Staff
(Performance Reviews, Conflict
Management)		 3:15 pm -4:45 pm TBD* Strengthen people
management and
feedback practices
Today & Tomorrow 4:45 pm – 5:00 pm

January 12, 2027

Topic Time Facilitators Key Learning Outcomes
Breakfast Provided 8:00 am – 8:30 am
Introduction to
Unit/Departmental Budgeting		 8:30 am – 10:30 am TBD* Construct and analyze
academic budgets
Break 10:30am – 10:45 am
Introduction to
Unit/Fundraising and Advancement		 10:45 am – 12:15 am TBD* Construct and analyze
academic budgets
Lunch provided 12:15pm – 1:30 pm
Career Mapping and Action Planning 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm TBD* Develop a personalized
career advancement plan
Break and Micro-Community Conversations 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Closing 4:45 pm – 5:00 pm

Phase 2: Virtual Quarterly Leadership Circles (Dates and times TBD)

Topic Time Date Facilitators Key Learning Outcomes
Revisiting Action Plans & Leadership
Check-In		 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm EASTERN TIME Wednesday, March 10, 2027 TBD* Reflect on progress and
update development goals
Addressing Ongoing Leadership
Challenges: Building Networks &
Sharing Resources		 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EASTERN TIME Thursday, May 13, 2027 TBD* Collaborative problem-
solving and peer coaching
Strategies for Sustaining Leadership 11:00 am – 1:00 pm EASTERN TIME Friday September 17, 2027 TBD* Embed leadership habits
and assess long-term
impact

*Sessions will be facilitated by members of the Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Leadership Team and alums of the HERS Leadership Institute who are leaders and practitioners in higher education.

Application Deadline: All application material is due on or before June 28, 2026. Submit your application here:

https://awm-math.org/programs/research-networks/awm-hers-leadership-development-program/awm-hers-application-form/

The form asks you to:

  1. Describe your institution and your role within that institution
  2. Describe your prior leadership experience and/or positions. This may include components outside of your institution.
  3. Describe your personal and professional goals in leadership.
  4. Describe your leadership philosophy.
  5. Confirm that you commit to full participation in all in-person and virtual sessions.
  6. Provide the name and email address of a peer or supervisor who will speak to your promise and/or experience as a leader.
  7. Upload a brief CV (2 pages or less)

Eligibility and Timeline

This program is open to AWM members who are at the associate professor level and above. Preference will be given to those who are currently serving or aspiring to serve in academic leadership roles (e.g., department chair, program director, associate dean).

Maximum of 30 participants, to ensure individualized attention and interactive learning.

Applicants will be notified on or before July 30, 2026 of their application status. 

Cost to participate

Thanks to a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, AWM expects to be able to provide financial assistance to all selected participants who do not have other sources of funding.  The current cost to participate is as follows:

  • Registration: $2000
  • Hotel for January 10 and January 11, 2027  (AWM will reserve hotel space at one of the JMM hotels).
  • Travel to and from Chicago.

With generous support from the Henry Luce Foundation

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Luce Foundation advances its mission by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.