What is the Program?

The Frye Leadership Institute is designed to develop the next generation of higher education leaders emerging from IT and library backgrounds. Although many Frye graduates become Chief Information Officers or Directors of Libraries, some change fields (e.g., moving into academic affairs) and others choose to lead more aggressively from their current position. Frye helps participants develop:

Habits of mind that help them think strategically and communicate clearly with diverse audiences
A broad perspective on higher education, its values, issues, and challenges
Confidence in their ability to address complex issues
A strong network of colleagues and friends

Participants begin their Frye experience on their home campus with discussions involving the president, provost, CFO, CIO, and dean of libraries, providing important context for their residential experience. From May 31 – June 11, 2009 participants will gather at Emory University for an intensive residential experience that exposes them to higher education leaders and luminaries from around the country. A significant amount of personal and professional growth results from the networking and group exercises that bring a diverse set of international participants together to share, explore, and learn. Presentations are intermixed with case studies, brainstorming, role-playing, problem-solving, and reflecting.

After the Institute concludes, graduates have the opportunity to participate in follow-up activities that will help them put their lessons-learned into perspective. These online gatherings also will provide the opportunity for 2009 graduates to contribute to a stronger program in 2010.

The Institute is led by Chuck Henry (President, CLIR) and Julie K. Little (Director, Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development, EDUCAUSE). A wide range of higher education leaders explore topics such as:

Perspectives of executive leaders in higher education
Public policy and government relations
Organizational change and leadership
Teamwork
E-research and E-scholarship
Scholarly communication
Communicating and marketing the institution’s messages

Exercises encourage participants to put their learning into context, team with others, and test leadership approaches in a supportive environment. Rather than learning by being told, participants learn from experience, from each other, and from reflection.

The Frye Leadership Institute is renowned for helping shape a new generation of campus leaders who will motivate, inspire, and demonstrate the ability to transform information resources in the twenty-first century.

Learn more about the Institute's faculty and curriculum.