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Women in Leadership: The Cohort Experience

Women in Leadership’s professional development training combines experiential learning, hands-on assignments, one-on-one coaching and self-assessment to help women grow and thrive as leaders in the academic community.

Women in Leadership (WiL) seeks to make Syracuse University a leader among higher education institutions working to cultivate women leaders. The initiative’s Cohort Experience advances that objective by creating a personalized, intensive professional development program that:

  • Fosters self-discovery at work and in life outside of work.
  • Identifies and builds personal and professional leadership strengths.
  • Heightens emotional intelligence.
  • Expands upon and improves skills in areas of personal branding, public speaking, management, negotiation, collaboration and conflict resolution.
  • Helps women gain greater knowledge of University governance, academic leadership and the overall educational enterprise.
  • Encourages participants to explore career options in higher education and academic leadership.
  • Connects cohort members to an extended network of referrals and contacts of women leaders within and beyond academic settings.
  • Supports women in attaining new success—on and off campus.

Meet the Leaders

Syracuse University Women in Leadership Cohort Experience leaders with the Chancellor.

The Women in Leadership Cohort Experience is led by three co-founders: Candace Campbell Jackson, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to Chancellor Kent Syverud; and Dara Royer, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

A Professional Development Plan Based on Experiential Learning 

The Cohort Experience provides education through experiential learning, hands-on assignments and personal skill development. The program also includes executive and peer coaching, self-assessments that promote greater emotional intelligence, and networking opportunities for professional and personal growth. Criteria for selecting participants will include such factors as diversity, job and responsibility focus, years of experience, expertise, interest and desire for professional development and a commitment to completing the cohort process and advancing personally and professionally.

A Team Dedicated to Your Professional Development Goals 

Each cohort is made up of emerging leaders from across the university. These faculty and staff members participate in sessions led by WiL’s Cohort Experience Tri-Chairs: Candace Campbell Jackson, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to Chancellor Kent Syverud; and Dara Royer, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Additional Steering Committee members support the cohort by providing mentorship and identifying professional development opportunities.

Apply to Be Part of the Women in Leadership (WiL) Cohort Experience

The application process and timeline for the next WiL Cohort Experience will be announced in SU News. Stay tuned!

Those interested in the cohort experience are encouraged to apply for one of 20 class seats by securing nominations from colleagues or by self-nomination.  Each applicant should have gained at least seven years of professional experience and have served for at least three years in a leadership role (this could be through research, teaching or service for faculty or through a supervisory or committee leadership role for staff).

For those wondering whether this program is a good fit, staff members may contact Dara Royer or Candace Campbell Jackson, and faculty members may contact Marcelle Haddix. For questions about the nomination process, send an email to womeninleadership@syr.edu.

View the Women in Leadership Cohorts

Inaugural Cohort (2022-23)

Cohort 2 (2023-24)

Cohort 3 (2023-24)

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