The University of Iowa offers leadership training and career development for faculty at all stages of their academic career.
We value the crucial role faculty play in our academic mission. That is why we are proud to offer a variety of development opportunities to help our faculty reach their career goals and/or prepare them for leadership roles. Below you can find courses, workshops, and other programs offered through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, University Human Resources, and academic units on campus.
Join the Deans, Directors, and DEO (DDDEO) listserv for info on upcoming deadlines, programs, and announcements. Email listserv@list.uiowa.edu, leave subject field blank, and type "subscribe DDDEO-Memo" in the body of the message. To unsubscribe, type "signoff DDDEO-Memo."
Courses & Workshops
Continue learning, improve your skills, and establish new competencies. Most programs are self-paced or have sessions that are optional to attend.
Faculty Lifecycle Workshops
Series of workshops for faculty in all tracks and ranks to support career development. Sessions include topics such as Email and Time Management, Strategies for Mid-Career Success, Promotion, and Retirement.
Cost: No charge
Schedule: Self-paced, 1 to 1.5 hours per session
INFO
The Iowa New Faculty Orientation (INFO) designed for individuals in their first faculty appointment to learn about the University of Iowa and available resources, network with key academic leaders, and develop a career plan.
Cost: No charge
Schedule: Specified dates
NCFDD Faculty Success Program
Program helps tenure-track and tenured faculty gain the skills necessary to increase research and writing productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
All UI faculty are eligible for NCFDD Membership (no cost)
FSP Cost: $5,100-5,250*
* registration assistance available
Schedule: Fall, Spring, and Summer bootcamps
Supervisor Training and Toolbox
Comprehensive virtual training for staff and faculty in supervisory roles.
Cost: No charge
Schedule: Self-paced, 5 hours in class
Supervising Today’s Students
Course series for staff and faculty who hire, onboard, and develop student employees. Offered in partnership with the Pomerantz Career Center and STEP.
Cost: No charge
Schedule: Self-paced, approx. 9 hours to complete
Cohort Programs
Connect with colleagues while you learn leadership skills. Programs run for varying lengths of time and some require a nomination from your dean/DEO for selection to the cohort.
BTAA Academic Leadership Program
Develops leadership and managerial skills of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and administrative promise.
Cohort: Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nominated by Dean or previous participant
Deadline: March
BTAA DEO Leadership Program
Designed for department heads/chairs to hone key skills specifically related to their role. Topics include conflict competency and communication, faculty development, performance reviews, and group problem solving.
Cohort: Departmental Executive Officers; Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nominated by Dean
Deadline: March
BTAA Deans Leadership Program
New program designed to support the leadership and managerial skills of collegiate deans. Both new and more experienced deans may find the experience beneficial.
Cohort: Collegiate Deans; Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nominated by Provost
DEO Workshops
A set of skill and knowledge building workshops open to all DEOs. Topics include Leading through the Faculty Career Life Cycle and Conducting Effective Faculty Reviews.
Cohort: all departmental executive officers (DEOs)
Schedule: Specified dates
DEO Conversations with Campus Leaders
A unique opportunity for DEOs to speak directly with key campus leaders and network with other DEOs across colleges and disciplines.
Cohort: all departmental executive officers (DEOs)
Schedule: Specified dates
Iowa Academic Leadership Program
Helps new or aspiring academic leaders (e.g., departmental executive officers, program directors, associate deans) make a successful transition to these key campus leadership roles. Program includes competency-based seminars, coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
Cohort: new or aspiring departmental executive officers, program directors, associate deans and other new campus academic leaders; Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nominated by Dean
Deadline: March
Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholars
An award that enhances scholarly activities and provides career development opportunities with the goal of supporting a cadre of scholars across a broad array of academic disciplines.
Cohort: tenured mid-career faculty; Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nomination by Dean
Deadline: March
UI LEAD
Comprehensive leadership program for staff and faculty. Combines assessments, coaching, workshops, and other activities. Nominations from college/division leaders due in late December. Core program runs May to August.
Cost: $300
Schedule: Summer, approx. 17.5 hours over 12 weeks, includes 3 individual coaching sessions
Executive Leadership Academy-Higher Education
Intensive program for mid- to senior-level staff and faculty with strategic and operational leadership responsibilities. Applications due in spring for May/June selection. Cohort participates in immersions, coaching, and other activities between September and April.
Cost: $2,000
Schedule: Fall-Spring, about 10 hours per month (break time in Dec and Jan)
Coaching & Mentoring
Explore your leadership goals, path, and practices, and get personalized support.
Iowa Academic Leadership Academy
Helps new or aspiring academic leaders (e.g., departmental executive officers, program directors, associate deans) make a successful transition to these key campus leadership roles. Program includes competency-based seminars, coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
Cohort: new or aspiring departmental executive officers, program directors, associate deans and other new campus academic leaders; Invitation only
Application/Nomination information: Nominated by Dean
Deadline: March
Faculty Mentoring
Build meaningful connections through mentoring programs and tools to support establishing effective mentoring relationships, documenting your mentoring practices, and tips for “mentoring up.”
Cost: No charge
Schedule: By appointment
Leadership Coaching
Coaching services are offered by Organizational Effectiveness to help you, as a leader, develop your communication skills and influence to ensure the success and well-being of you and your team.
Cost: No charge
Schedule: By appointment
Other Opportunities
Explore more information and reference resources, other self-guided learning tools, and Iowa academic programs.
Faculty Fellow for Faculty Development
Appointed faculty position focuses efforts on strategies to support faculty development on our campus, including but not limited to developing seminars for early and mid-career faculty, DEO development and planning for retirement.
Application/Nomination information: February call for self-nomination
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Faculty Development Awards
Paid leaves and fellowships to encourage scientific inquiry, research, artistic creation, clinical/technical expertise, and innovation in teaching. Includes Professional Development Awards, May Brodbeck Humanities Fellowship, and James Van Allen Natural Science Fellowship Programs).
Application/Nomination information: Deadlines and requirements vary
Campus, National & International Faculty Awards and Honors
Many national and international organizations recognize the achievements of our exceptional faculty. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost may provide assistance in the review and application process of awards for faculty members when possible.
Application/Nomination information: Deadlines and requirements vary
Faculty Leadership Resources
A hub for information, programs, and resources to support University of Iowa faculty and DEOs.
Campus Resources for Faculty
Resources to assist faculty related to teaching, research, service, and policies.
Faculty Development Plan
This Faculty Development Plan template facilitates the planning, support, and feedback that faculty require to support career progression, regardless of rank or track.
Registration Assistance
Faculty may receive financial support to cover fees associated with the NCFDD Faculty Success Program or other nationally recognized faculty development programs through a cost share between the college, department, and provost office. To begin, request cost share from your department and college.