University Leadership Education and Development (ULEAD)
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Organization and Professional Development
Meet the 2025-26 ULEAD cohort!
This year’s ULEAD cohort features Carolina colleagues from all across campus.
See a list of our current cohort members at the link below.
What is ULEAD?
The ULEAD program develops highly skilled and motivated leaders to meet the challenges of higher education’s changing environment. Participants learn from world-renowned faculty, outside experts and each other.
They gain the practical insight, knowledge, skills and confidence needed for leadership effectiveness through classroom sessions, active assessments of leadership characteristics and participation in an intensive, practical project that addresses a major campus issue.
This comprehensive program addresses the core characteristics and skills needed to lead effectively in an academic environment and includes:
- Professional development classroom sessions on practical leadership topics.
- Team projects focused on real higher education issues and culminating with written reports and public presentations to senior administrators.
- Projects expected to produce practical and actionable outcomes for UNC-Chapel Hill and NC Central University.
- A personal leadership development plan derived from a 360-degree feedback assessment.
- Peer coaching to enhance the practice of coaching and listening skills, promote networking, and provide support and feedback for fellow participants.
- Expand the leadership knowledge, skills and abilities critical in a changing higher education environment.
- Increase awareness of professional strengths and developmental needs.
- Network with other leaders at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC Central University to provide ongoing feedback and support systems.
- increase their job effectiveness.
- contribute to the online success of our educational institutions.
- advance the quality of work life for all.
Because of the high volume of applicants competing to participate in the program, the condensed nature of the program schedule, and the high program costs, the University requires that participants commit to attend all scheduled events. All classes and events (with the exception of Orientation) are in person and have no virtual/remote option.
The core components of ULEAD include six class days (on five subjects), a 360 assessment, a team paper and a team presentation. ULEAD classes include:
- Crucial Conversations
- Leading Change
- Leading Teams
- Negotiation
- Strategic Innovation
- Explore areas of management and leadership in depth.
- Gain practical experience using the knowledge and skills presented in classes
- Provide meaningful input on an important University topic.
- Network and create cross-campus growth opportunities.
Project teams will meet at the end of classes and between classes. Each ULEAD participant must participate fully in both the project work and the presentation.
ULEAD Spring 2025 cohort projects:
Cultivating Financial Savvy (PDF)
Enhancing Onboarding for Staff Engagement and Belonging (PDF)
Fostering Strong Leaders Through Effective Upward Feedback (PDF)
Rethinking Career Growth Through Internal Gigs (PDF)
Tar Heel Ties: Strengthening Generational Dynamics in Higher Education (PDF)
Who is eligible?
ULEAD targets high-performing, high-potential leaders in higher education; the program is not remedial and is not meant for new managers. Here is the eligibility criteria:
- SHRA or EHRA permanent employee who is currently working in a managerial role (directly responsible for at least one lower supervisor) or who manages a program that is University-wide or of significant size and complexity.
- At least three years total managerial experience
- At least one year managerial experience at UNC-Chapel Hill, NCCU or comparable experience as a leader of a University-wide enterprise.
How to Apply
The application period for ULEAD 2025 is now closed.
If you would like to be notified when applications for the next session of ULEAD are being accepted, please fill out the ULEAD interest form.
All applications are reviewed by a committee, and program acceptances will be sent out two weeks after the closing date. A total of 25 applicants will be accepted from UNC-Chapel Hill and NC Central University.
Use the information in the toggles below to help you prepare your responses before completing the official ULEAD application; please ensure that all answers are submitted through the official ULEAD application form.
- Support by one’s current direct manager, expressed in a letter of recommendation accompanying the application form.
- Please remind your manager to submit a letter of recommendation via the link provided on this webpage on or before the application closing date.
- Approval from the applicant’s departmental leadership.
- Availability and commitment to attend all sessions.
- Completed application form by nominee, which includes:
- Your role and work in the University.
- Your current leadership aspirations.
- Your past and/or current development activities geared towards leadership.
- Your personal objectives for the program.
- Your thoughts on excellence in leadership.
- Name
- Position/Title
- Department Name
- Oganization: (UNC or NCCU)
- PID (for UNC employees)
- Email address
- Applicant’s manager’s name
- Applicant’s manager’s role
- Applicant’s manager’s email
- Do you manage a university-wide program or project? (yes or no)
- If yes, what is the name of the university program or project you manage?
- Do you manage a team? (yes or no)
- If yes, what is the current number of direct reports who are supervisors?
- Total number of people on the team that you lead
- Total years of managerial experience (minimum three years required)
- Total years of managerial experience in a higher education environment (minimum one year required)
- Length of university service
- Tell about the work you do in your current role. (Describe your key responsibilities, the teams or functions you work with and how your role supports the university’s broader goals.)
- Describe the impact of the work that you lead. (Share an example of a project, initiative, or effort you have led or influenced. What was the outcome and how did your leadership contribute to its success?)
- Please describe how you have prioritized your own leadership development. Please provide examples of courses, programs, or self-directed learning in which you have participated.
- What specific leadership skills or insights are you hoping to gain from participating in
ULEAD? How do you envision applying them in your current role? Please share any challenges or opportunities where you see this development making a difference. - What do you believe makes a leader truly effective? Reflect on the principles, values and behaviors that define strong leadership.
Program Calendar
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| EVENT: Orientation | Friday, October 24, 2025 |
| CLASS: Crucial Conversations Day 1 | Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| CLASS: Crucial Conversations Day 2 | Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| CLASS: Leading Teams | Friday, November 21, 2025 |
| CLASS: Strategic Innovation | Friday, December 12, 2025 |
| CLASS: Leading Change | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| CLASS: Negotiation | Friday, January 30, 2026 |
| EVENT: Presentation Rehearsals | Monday, March 2 – Friday, March 6, 2026 |
| EVENT: Presentations | Thursday, March 12, 2026 |
| EVENT: Graduation | Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
