Professional Development Academies in Education

Professional Development Programs in Information Studies

UCLA’s School of Education & Information Studies is home to two departments. Each is a leader in their field, helping to pioneer what's next in the Education and Information worlds.

UCLA Ed&IS faculty are at the forefront of their fields, addressing issues of equality, access and social justice in the fields of education and information. Their scholarship has an international reputation for excellence and commitment to addressing the most critical issues facing our society.

An ecosystem of K-12 teaching schools where UCLA partners to develop, study, share, and advance innovative best practices.

The work at UCLA Ed&IS is guided by the principles of individual responsibility and social justice, an ethic of caring, and commitment to the communities we serve. Learn more about our mission and values, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our faculty and students, our history and more.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are defining features of UCLA Ed&IS and we embrace them as a source of strength.

Department of Education 2023 Information Sessions

Department of Information Studies Programs

Department of Information Studies 2023 Information Sessions

Learn more about the undergraduate and graduate academic programs we offer, when program information sessions are being offered and how to apply.

Empowering Courageous Leaders of Change
*open to people of all gender identities

University Women’s Leadership Academy for Mid-Career Professionals*

In this time of rapid social and demographic changes across universities, exceptional leadership at all levels is critical. But, women's efforts to reach higher positions in university leadership have slowed in the past 20 years. Research suggests that women face socio-cultural and structural barriers to leadership in higher education. 

The University Women's Leadership Academy is designed for mid-career professionals who want to expand their leadership and value to their universities. The Academy re-imagines the roles and impact of women in their current and future university positions. 

Academy content focuses on expanding knowledge about navigating the overt and covert university and on honing leadership capacities. Activities and instruction are led by experts from varied universities in areas that may include human resources, academic personnel, finance, student affairs and departmental leadership challenges. Leadership skills that are emphasized include facilitation, career-building, negotiation, mentoring, self-advocacy, problem-solving and collaborating for change. 

The academy champions equity, diversity, and inclusion. An overarching goal is to support leaders who are empowered to identify and harness strengths to build university cultures that are more inclusive and equitable.

Mission of the Academy

Enhances the value of university women's voices and contributions

Engages women in reconceptualizing their roles in universities

Enlarges women's ability to navigate the observable and unseen university

Encourages women to understand varied university roles  

Elevates women's confidence in their own abilities

Enables women to visualize their professional options


The Academy highlights learning virtually in small and larger groups. Mentor circles promote interaction and support between participants. 

Six Saturday mornings, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
January 20, February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, & June 8

Six Thursday evenings, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
January 25, February 8, March 7, April 11, May 9, & June 13

The University Women's Leadership Academy

Mid-career refers to university educators who have had a professional role at their universities for more than five years and would like to expand their leadership options. Work experience of participants has ranged from approximately five to several dozen years. They want to increase the scope of their leadership.

Leadership is transformative and not transactional. It takes place across many roles and in many places in the university. It may be positional or personal. It involves social or organizational structures in influencing others to achieve a goal. 



Women university leaders designed the Academy and provide ongoing consultation to assist the program to continue to meet the needs of mid-career women

Provide content that examines observable and hidden university elements and connects these to women's voices, core values, and capacities

Assist women to expand their own leadership and to support the leadership of others 

Increase the value that women professionals bring to their universities 

Enhance the ability to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across the university

Understand varied professional roles in universities 

Learning is social. Participants explore the experiences of others in Academy discussions and in mentor circles.

Learning develops from readings, activities and videos related to acting and thinking like a leader, strategic planning, 360° leadership, career development and best practices at universities.

Learning is guided by expert university educators. They speak to the varied roles and functions across the university.

Learning how to make university culture more equitable.  

The Academy seeks to re-imagine university leadership to include and value the many contributions of women. Through exploration of professional challenges and experiences, women leverage their multi-dimensional leadership capacities to effect change. Ultimately, leaders are empowered to identify and harness strengths to build university-related cultures that are more inclusive and equitable.

Why Participate in the UCLA University Women’s Leadership Academy?

Linda Rose, Ph.D., Founder University Women's Leadership Academy

Leadership Knowledge and Capacities Across the University  

Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader  (Herminia Ibarra)

Aligning leadership skills to university challenges

Navigating the overt and covert university

Department politics:  administrators and  faculty

Alternate Careers: Beyond and within Higher Education     

2024 Topics

Schedule 2024

Early Bird Registration paid by November 15, 2023: $3,000 per person

Registration fee paid by two or more participants from the same university paid by December 1, 2023: $3,000 per person

Registration Fee paid by December 1, 2023: $3,250 per person

Payment may be made by check, credit card or Purchase Order.  UCLA participants may also pay by departmental re-charge.    

Fees

A letter of intent that includes: 1. A brief description of your leadership experiences at a four-year college or university. 2. Your short-term and long-term goals for doing the UCLA University Women’s Leadership Academy. 3. Specific topics in the university that are of interest to you

Application Deadline October 15, 2023 (Submit materials to lrose@g.ucla.edu)

Application Materials

UCLA University Women’s Leadership Academy for Mid-Career Professionals

From the participants . . .

Our Leadership

University Women’s Leadership Academy: Sign-up for more information or for a Zoom meeting

Stay in the Know

Founder & Leader

Contact Us

UCLA WSLA is a pioneering leadership program for women. It provides leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to be more impactful educational leaders.