Idaho Academic Leadership Academy

Funded by the Idaho State Board of Education, in partnership with all eight public postsecondary institutions, IALA brings together 32 participants each year from across the state for a week-long intensive learning experience.

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Idaho Academic Leadership Academy

Interested and qualified candidates may apply below, beginning November 1, 2024.

June 9-12, 2026 @ Boise State University
  • Leading in an academic setting
  • Leading in a politically-charged environment
  • Understanding strengths-based leadership
  • Building high-performing teams
  • Understanding academic program development, review, and approval
  • Funding models and decision-making in higher education
  • Fundraising and advancement
  • Managing personnel
  • Fostering a culture of belonging
  • Communicating effectively and managing conflict
  • Understanding the intersection  between academic affairs and student affairs
Call for Applications: Idaho Academic Leadership Academy (IALA)

Deadline: January 30, 2026

2026 Idaho Academic Leadership Academy Agenda

Overview: The Idaho Academic Leadership Academy (IALA) is a leadership development experience designed to prepare current and emerging academic or instructional leaders across Idaho institutions for roles such as department chair, program director, associate dean, or dean. The Academy emphasizes self-reflection, peer collaboration, systems thinking, and navigating complexity in higher education. Participants will leave the Academy with practical tools, leadership frameworks, and a supportive network of colleagues across the state. The curriculum emphasizes applied learning, structured reflection, and skill-building for challenges commonly encountered in department-level and cross-unit leadership roles.

Participation in IALA supports:

  • Faculty by advancing their leadership development, strategic thinking, and professional growth;
  • Institutions by strengthening academic unit leadership, improving student success and research capacity, and contributing to leadership succession planning;
  • The State by developing a connected, forward-looking network of higher education leaders who can respond to Idaho’s educational and economic priorities, including workforce development, regional access, and academic innovation.

Who Should Apply: We encourage applications from faculty who:

  • Are in or preparing for formal academic or instructional leadership roles (e.g., chair, program director, associate dean)
  • Have demonstrated a commitment to developing as a leader, whether through formal roles or informal leadership (e.g., committee chairing, mentoring, initiative building)
  • Have been at an Idaho institution for at least three years
  • Have not had extensive prior academic or instructional leadership training or access to similar professional development
  • Are positioned to apply what they learn in the near future to benefit their department, institution, and the state

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need to hold a formal leadership role to apply? No. We welcome applicants with informal leadership experience such as leading committees, mentoring colleagues, managing grants, or coordinating initiatives.

  • What counts as leadership experience? Leadership can take many forms, including but not limited to program development, committee work, mentoring, collaboration across departments, or community engagement.

  • What does ‘readiness’ mean? Readiness refers to being at a point where leadership development will be timely and impactful—e.g., stepping into or exploring leadership roles, or building on early leadership experiences.

  • What is the time commitment? IALA includes a multi-day in-person summer session (dates and location to be announced) and optional follow-up activities. Participants must attend the full summer session. Travel, lodging, and meals are covered.

  • What does ‘contribute to a dynamic cohort’ mean? We seek participants who are open to learning with and from others and who bring a perspective, professional background, or institutional context that will enrich discussions. This could include disciplinary expertise, experiences across institutional types, career pathways, or problem-solving approaches.

  • What should I include in my CV? Submit a 2-4 page CV or resume that highlights leadership, service, mentoring, and institutional engagement. A full academic CV is not required.

  • How will applicants be selected? Selection is based on the criteria below and our aim to build a balanced cohort across institutions, roles, and disciplines. Final decisions will be made by each institution’s provost. Space is limited.

  • Will I receive feedback if not selected? We are unable to provide individual feedback, but we encourage applicants to reapply in future cycles.

Application Materials: Applicants must submit the following using the link below: 

  • Contact Information
  • Current cv or resume (2-4 pages recommended)
  • Statement of Interest (800–1200 words) Your statement should address the following prompts. These have been designed to help the selection committee and your institution’s provost assess your alignment with the goals of the Academy. You may respond to the prompts individually or integrate your responses across a cohesive narrative:
    1. Why are you interested in academic leadership, and why is now the right time for you to participate in IALA?
    2. What experiences—formal or informal—have shaped your perspective or capacity as a leader in higher education?
    3. What leadership challenges or opportunities do you see in your department, program, or institution, and how might IALA help you respond to them?
    4. What values or principles guide your approach to leadership?
  • Institutional Impact Statement (200–300 words) Please describe how your participation in IALA aligns with strategic goals or priorities at your department, college, or institution. You may wish to reference initiatives related to student learning and success, research and innovation, program development, faculty support, or any other area where you anticipate applying what you learn. You do not need to cite formal strategic plans—we welcome your perspective on what your unit or institution is working toward and how you plan to contribute.

Note: Applicants do not need to hold a formal leadership title to apply. Informal leadership experiences are valued.

Apply here

Deadline January 30, 2026

Selection Criteria: The selection committee and institutional provosts will prioritize applicants based on the following criteria:

  • Clarity and alignment of leadership goals with the mission of IALA
  • Readiness and timeliness for leadership development
  • Demonstrated leadership capacity and experience (formal or informal)
  • Ability to contribute to peer learning and cohort development, including openness to reflection, collaboration, and diverse perspectives
  • Relevance and potential impact on institutional goals

What to Expect: Participants will be expected to:

  • Attend the full multi-day summer session June 9-12, 2026
  • Engage in leadership self-assessment and feedback activities
  • Collaborate with peers to explore common leadership challenges
  • Consider how they will apply Academy insights in their home institutions

Contact For questions, contact  Heidi Estrem, Chief Academic Officer, hestrem@edu.idaho.gov.

Thank you for your interest in the Idaho Academic Leadership Academy!