IT Professionals Encouraged to Apply to Leadership Academy

IT Professionals Encouraged to Apply to Leadership Academy

By University Information Technology Services
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Applications are being accepted for the 2017-18 IT Leadership Academy, which helps campus information technology professionals develop their leadership skills.

Launched in 2015 as a joint effort involving University Information Technology Services and the Division of Human Resources, the academy is aimed at helping current and emerging IT leaders at the UA to expand their impact and leadership expertise.

"Building relationships and enhancing IT leaders' roles as solution providers are a big focus of the program," said Lauren Babson, director of enterprise technical services at UITS and the academy's steering committee chair. "The collaboration that is happening between participants outside of the academy is amazing. The participants have great ideas on how to put ITLA into action and cohorts are working together to solve real problems."

Cheryl Novalis-Marine, senior applications architect for continuing medical education and a participant in the 2016-17 class, said she benefited from the networking opportunities that the academy provided.

"Working together as a campus community is essential to improving efficiencies and expanding knowledge," Novalis-Marine said. "The greatest values for me were getting to know the other participants, meeting many campus leaders and significantly expanding my personal network."

Allison Vaillancourt, vice president of business affairs and human resources and executive co-sponsor of ITLA, says that personal and professional development for potential leaders is a hallmark of the program.

"ITLA is changing the way IT professionals are working," she said. "Their own work teams are now stronger and cross-university collaborations and idea sharing on are the rise."

Other participants said the academy hones skills needed by leaders.

"Along with leadership lessons, I learned a good deal about managing people – and the difference between leadership and management," said Susan Miller, deputy director of research cyberinfrastructure for Arizona Research Laboratories.

Applications for the 2017-18 class will be accepted through June 9. Information technology professionals seeking professional growth and expanded leadership skills are encouraged to apply.

Visit it.arizona.edu/itla-application to complete the application form. A letter of recommendation and endorsement by a departmental IT leader, department head, dean or vice president also are required. Accepted members must commit to attending monthly half-day sessions from September 2017 through March 2018. Click here to see the topics that were covered during the 2016-17 academy.

"The skills you learn and the relationships you build in this program are invaluable," said Derek Masseth, chief technology officer at UITS. "I'm looking forward to continuing this program for many years to come and recommend that all IT professionals who are interested apply."

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