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Leadership & Self-Knowledge
- Self-care and collective care
- Building relationships, supervising, screening and recruiting
- Leading change and decision making
- Change management
- Leadership in practice
The Academy
Leadership development grounded in workforce education.
The Workforce Deans Academy (WDA) is an annual, cohort-based program focused on both leadership and the practical skills necessary to succeed and lead in the complex world of workforce and professional/technical education.
Vision
Every workforce leader advocates for equitable student outcomes within higher education.
Mission
Develop a network of diverse leaders who support quality workforce education and development across the Washington community and technical college system.
Approach
A cohort-based experience grounded in practical workforce administration, leadership development, reflection, and connection.
Objectives
What the Academy is designed to accomplish.
- 01
Develop equity-minded leaders with the practical knowledge and skills to support quality workforce education and development across the community and technical college system.
- 02
Build a network among workforce leaders that will support continued collaboration and systemic change.
- 03
Foster an environment that supports meaningful, open, respectful, and courageous conversation and learning.
Learning Outcomes
Through the WDA experience, participants will:
01 -
Apply practical knowledge and skills in program development, funding, advocacy, partnerships, and data-informed decision making to support quality workforce education.
02 -
Practice awareness and reflection of themselves as equity-minded leaders in their daily work.
03 -
Create and implement a personal and professional growth plan tied to their role as a workforce dean.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPLORE
Curriculum Outline
The WDA curriculum is organized around five core areas of workforce leadership.
Learning takes place through a combination of in-person sessions, virtual convenings, and engagement between sessions.
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Introduction to Workforce
- Historical perspectives of workforce education
- Overview of the Washington workforce education system
- State Board for Community and Technical Colleges governance
03
Advocacy for Workforce Education
- Political climate and legislative affairs
- Communicating the value and impact of workforce education
- Building support with internal and external stakeholders
04
Program Assessment, Development & Evaluation
- Aligning programs to economic development
- Collaborations and partnerships on- and off-campus
- Developing programs with data for student success
05
Funding, Finance & Workforce Initiatives
- Understanding how Washington's CTCs are funded
- Funding streams, allocation models, and budget processes
- Workforce programs, initiatives, and funding
- Grant funding and management
How it works
The cohort experience
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A Cohort Experience
Participants move through the Academy together over the course of the year through a mix of virtual learning and at least two in-person sessions, building relationships and a statewide network along the way.
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Learning From Workforce Leaders & Experts
Sessions bring together experienced leaders from across Washington's community and technical college system along with outside experts and facilitators who bring additional perspectives and expertise to the learning.
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Growth in Practice
Participants develop a professional growth plan, put it into practice throughout the Academy, and reflect on their growth and next steps along the way.
“Thank you for the safe space and feeling of community where we can learn and lean on each other as we move forward.”
What participants take with them
Learning that carries into the work.
- A statewide network of workforce colleagues and leaders they can turn to for perspective and collaboration.
- A clearer sense of their own leadership strengths and the growth areas they want to keep developing.
- Confidence navigating the workforce dean role and its place within the broader CTC system.
- A renewed sense of purpose and commitment to equitable student outcomes.
Who it's for
Is WDA right for you?
The Academy is designed for community and technical college faculty and staff who are preparing for higher-level workforce leadership roles, as well as those newly serving in workforce administration. Our curriculum and resources are structured to address the challenges and opportunities specific to workforce education.
