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Duke Leadership Academy

Get to Know the Duke Leadership Academy

The Duke Leadership Academy is a year-long program in which participants learn from Duke’s senior leaders, undergo a comprehensive analysis of their work and personality styles as well as collaborate on group projects offering solutions to real-world concepts relating to Duke and Durham.

In response to Duke's COVID-19 management plan, Duke Learning & Organization Development will continue offering the following virtual courses online through WebEx. 

Spring and Fall 2021 Courses are here! View and download the Spring and Fall 2021 Professional Development and Technology Schedule here.

The Duke Leadership Academy offers emerging leaders from across the university the opportunity to participate in a unique 12-month development initiative based on the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics (COLE) leadership model.  The curriculum includes a focus on leadership and management styles and behaviors to implement strategy.

Participation in the program is highly selective based on nominations by Duke’s vice presidents and deans.  Those selected to participate are exposed to senior level leaders and stakeholders at Duke. Learning takes place in the classroom, through 360 and individual assessments, practical application, and coaching.

Program Highlights

Leadership & Values

  • Leadership interviews with manager
  • Leadership discussions with senior leaders
  • COLE's content on Six Domains of Leadership

Leadership & Team Assessments

  • 360 feedback on Six Domains of Leadership

Feedback, Coaching & Development

  • Learning & Organization Development coach
  • Peer-to-peer coaching
  • Manager coaching
  • Leadership Development Plan

Action Learning Case Study

  • Team Work Project

Benefits for Participants

  • Enhance awareness of leadership competencies
  • Strengthen leadership competencies and skills of participants
  • Access to thought leaders across the university
  • Practice giving and receiving behavioral feedback to strengthen impact at Duke
  • Develop individual Leadership Development Plan
  • Use of best practices to assess and develop talent
  • Work on real issues facing Duke
  • Develop a pool of talent with strong potential to become Duke’s future leaders
  • Collegial participation in a university program
  • Increase engagement and commitment to Duke

Nomination Criteria and Expectations for Potential DLA Participants

  • Must be nominated/sponsored by a Dean or Vice President
  • Must submit a current resume
  • Submit a letter of intent (one page) outlining why you want to be a part of the Academy and how you plan to utilize the skills learned moving forward
  • Commitment to Duke and its strategic direction
  • History of successful performance
  • Thought leader in respective discipline
  • Mid-level manager (titles such as Assistant Director, Director, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean) with capability to assume broader roles over the next few years.  Must be at a job level 98 or equivalent level 16-25
  • Potential to assume other leadership roles to help Duke sustain and grow its world-class status
  • Demonstrates ability and willingness to learn and apply new learning
  • Commitment to attend all classes, participate, and complete all assignments

Learning and Organization Development (L&OD) facilitates the program by serving as coaches for the 360 assessment and helping participants transfer learning to their departments.

For More Information

Contact: Mekeisha P. Williams, Assistant Vice President, Learning and Organization Development

Training