Faculty Learning Community on Academic Leadership

The Faculty Learning Community on Academic Leadership began in 2014 with a grant from the Chancellor’s Office and was first developed and facilitated by Dr. Shanthi Srinivas, Presidential Fellow for Leadership Excellence for Institutional Development through May 2021. It was later facilitated by Dr. Lisa Kessler, Professor Emeritus and former Interim Dean and Associate Dean of the Huntley College of Agriculture from 2021 through 2026. Many participants have pursued their career goals and now serve as department chairs, associate deans, and directors. Many others are contributing to the success of the university by taking on leadership roles in shared governance, including serving as Academic Senate Chair. The goal of the Academic Leadership FLC is to increase confidence and skills by exploring higher education and CPP, self-awareness, and interpersonal relationships within a supportive cohort.

The 2026-2027 FLC will be organized and facilitated by Dr. Cheryl Koos, Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs, and Dr. Marisela Chávez, Executive Director of Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE).

Significant learning outcomes for the FLC include:

  • Foundational knowledge 
    • Learn key offices for faculty success within Cal Poly Pomona
    • Overview of higher education structures and issues
    • Literature and discussion on excellent leadership
  • Application 
    • Strategically reflect on and plan leadership development plan
    • Create biosketch
    • Update CV
  • Integration 
    • Determine a plan to fit leadership into a healthy work-life integration
  • Human Dimension
    • Form a community of peers who trust each other and share draft documents and ideas
  • Caring
    • Form a habit of viewing self, colleagues and students with a growth mindset looking for assets rather than deficits.