The University of Illinois System’s Professional Staff Leadership Academy (PSLA, formerly known as the Academic Professional Leadership Program) utilizes superior leadership principles and applications to develop key professionals. Through relationships built across the University of Illinois System, the program uses the knowledge of University staff, executives, academic theory and practical applications to foster an environment where leaders can emerge.

The program accommodates approximately 20 participants in any given twelve-month class. Candidates for the program must meet eligibility requirements and possess the desire and passion to contribute to the success of the University of Illinois System. They must demonstrate values that are consistent with those of the system and have the characteristics and competencies that are exemplary of superior leadership.

Mission

Foster and sustain a culture of exceptional, dynamic, and transformational leadership at all levels throughout the University of Illinois System.

Goals

The goals of the Professional Staff Leadership Academy focus on the individual development of University of Illinois professionals and the transmission of inter-institutional knowledge. The program goals are:

• Create opportunities for the development of emerging leaders.
• Teach and provide opportunities to develop and implement best practices associated with leadership roles and responsibilities.
• Create a cross-functional system-wide network of leaders that are capable of successfully executing strategic plans and accomplishing strategic goals.
• Develop leaders' change capability in order to react quickly to our rapidly changing economic and social environment.
• Develop leaders' emotional intelligence to advance leadership impact.

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of six integrated components.  Topics included in each of the components include:

University Organization	Leadership and Academic Theory
University Operations	Management
External Relations	Professional Development

The sessions will be supplemented by three additional activities:

1. Participants will complete two development assessments and receive a minimum of two coaching sessions by a certified facilitator. 
2. A reading program will offer insights into current literature related to the program topics. Reviews of the literature will be integrated throughout the twelve-month curriculum.
3.  A mentoring program will be offered to academy members. Mentoring can offer insights into the University operation, its formal and informal culture. Mentors can also be good sounding boards to test ideas, discuss issues and career goals. The mentoring program will be established and supported by the academy, but mentor meetings will occur outside of the formal conference sessions.

Eligibility

1. Permanent, 12-month, non-visiting Academic Professional or exempt civil service employees with at least an 80%-time appointment.
2. Applicants should have a minimum of three (3) cumulative years of service as an academic professional or civil service employee at the University. Eligible applicants should have completed the three-year requirement by the application deadline (October 25, 2024).
3. Minimum of two or more years in a management role. Examples include, but are not limited to supervising staff, managing large projects and/or programs that require responsibility for deliverables and/or project budget.
4. Support of supervisor and/or department head.
5. Not currently a member of another University-sponsored leadership program or past UAFP (University Administrative Fellows Program) participant.
6. Applicants do not need to be nominated to apply.
7. Selected participants are expected to attend all conference dates.

Application Process

Eligible employees must complete the online application and provide the following:

• current resume
• letter of interest (500 words or less) indicating:
  • their interest and expectations for the program
  • career goals
  • a description of a professional experience in which the candidate took a leadership role, including examples of how the candidate was or was not effective, as well as what the candidate learned from the experience
• letter of support and commitment from his/her immediate supervisor and/or department head.

Applications for the 2024 cohort are now closed. The application period for the 2025 cohort will open in October 2024.   

Cohort Selection

The Professional Staff Leadership Academy (PSLA) steering team selects approximately 20 participants and 3 alternates from all eligible submissions and makes a recommendation to the Program Sponsor for final class participation. Selected candidates will be notified in mid-December.  

Conference Dates

Conferences will be held April 2-4, 2025 (Springfield), June 4-6, 2025 (System - Urbana), September 10-12, 2025 (Chicago) and November 19-21, 2025 (Urbana). Selected participants are expected to attend all conference dates.

Program Cost

The participant's department will pay a one-time $1,000 fee to participate in the program. The System Office will cover the remaining costs of the program. 

Program Committees

Program Sponsor: Jami Painter, Senior Associate Vice President and Chief HR Officer for System Human Resource Services

Program Coordination Staff: Joy Brownridge, Assistant Director, Organizational Effectiveness and Elizabeth Hatcher, Employee Engagement and Training Coordinator

Steering Team:

• Joy Brownridge, Chair, non-voting member, System Human Resource Services
• Jami Painter, System Human Resource Services, System Offices
• April Read, UI Health
• Tremayne Price, Chancellor's Office, UIC
• Joan Sestak, Chancellor's Office, UIS
• Kandace Turner, Chancellor's Office, UIUC

Curriculum Advisory Committee:

• Jami Painter, ​Chair​, System Human Resource Services
• Gladys Lopez, Human Resources, UIC
• Bria Marcelo, Illinois Human Resources, UIUC
• Sarah Gantz, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs

Additionally, each year representatives from each of the universities and system office are selected by their class to serve on the following year's Curriculum Advisory Committee. Representatives for 2025 are:

• Faizan Abid, Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, UIC
• Charity Ball, Center for Clinical & Translational Sciences, UIC
• Nicolas Bernal, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Innovation Extended Campus, UIC
• Jonathan Elugbadebo, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, UIUC
• Shawna Graddy, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, UIUC
• Amanda Lombardo, College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences, UIUC
• Craig McFarland, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Administration, UIS
• Tanya Merritt, UI Health Ambulatory Services, UI Health
• Rachel Morrow, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, UIC
• Lea Smith, Office of Records & Registration, UIS
• Candice Solomon-Strutz, College of Applied Health Sciences, UIUC
• Cassandra Staudacher, System Human Resource Services, System Offices
• Aaron Stewart, Facilities & Services, UIS
• Bridget To, Office of the Provost, UIUC

2025 Program Participants

To view participant bios, click here.

Urbana-Champaign

• Julia Abel, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
• Charisse Coleman, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
• Jeffrey Fox, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Maria Jaromin, National Center for Supercomputing Applications
• Marcia Mathis, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center
• Michelle Rome, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Trinity Allison, Family and Consumer Science

Chicago

• Jacqueline Berger, College of Medicine
• Jonathan Fair, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
• Dr. Jamie Haney, Graduate College
• Girmachew Mekonnen, University of Illinois Medical Center
• Marty Semrau, UI Health Information Services
• Hugo Trevino, Disability Resource Center
• Susan Young, UIC Human Resources

Springfield

• Daniel Aguilar, Diversity Center
• Jessie Burrell, Campus Relations
• Kathryn Kleeman, Office of Admission

System Offices

• Michelle Chitambar, Office of Technology Management
• Nikki Melander, Office of the Controller
• Daniel Pelayo, University Bursar

PSLA Alumni

Questions?

Email us at pslacademy@uillinois.edu

 

Alumni Testimonials

I am grateful to have been part of the inaugural class of this program! Being able to hear from leaders across the three universities within the University of Illinois System and spending a day at the Capitol in Springfield were great ways to understand the larger context for our individual roles and contributions to the overall mission. The many opportunities of the program and the network and friendships that have developed have been a great motivator for me to become more involved across campus and made me a better advocate for the University of Illinois.

-Agnes Herget, Class of 2019

 

PSLA has allowed me to expand my professional network across the system to people who I would not have otherwise interacted with within my current position. I have learned more about my leadership style and made adaptations to better interact with a wide range of people and multiple generations of personnel. I especially appreciate learning about the unique styles of leaders across the system and getting to experience some of the top offerings/services/programs at each campus. Also, learning about governance has been beneficial as I work on my professional development and establish additional career goals.

-Katherine Battee-Freeman, Class of 2020

 

PSLA has given me so much more than I anticipated! I have gained perspective on the university system beyond the lens of my work and I’m growing a network across divisions that lead for ease and fluidity in being able to better help students. I was grateful for the reflective time away from the daily office activities to see how I might be able to provide impact on this space.

-Viviana Kabbabe-Thompson, Class of 2021

 

Yes, PSLA delivered everything they said they would, but what we did not expect to gain was a new family/community who we can not only rely on professionally, but one that allows us to have fun, boost moods/morale when life is challenging, but equally as important, a family/community that gives us a chance to cherish the little things about us as people/including each of our unique leadership paths. We are grateful for all things big and small that the program has done for us—and we have no doubt it will be there for us when we need it. PSLA, thank you for providing an opportunity for us to be there for each other!

-PSLA Eagles, Class of 2022

 

PSLA is an incredible professional development program, unmatched by any other I’ve participated in during my professional career. The planners and curriculum committee think of every possible detail, and work hard to make the most of every moment the academy is in session. Some of the most notable leaders within the University of Illinois System and its three universities give talks, and they share information about their own jobs and their leadership journeys. We toured amazing spaces and learned about what makes each of our system’s four entities unique and prestigious. I found the camaraderie within my cohort, as well as the networking across classes, to be the program’s most valuable component. When I’m facing a challenge in my job or with my career, I know I have an incredible group of peers who are ready to help. I’m so grateful I had the chance to participate.

-Meg Dickinson, Class of 2023