Departmental Leadership Institute

Driving school change from within.

Effective departmental leadership is the key to implementing any curricular change initiative, yet many department chairs have little or no formal leadership training. During this five-day residential institute, participants will learn and practice skills for using departmental time effectively, facilitating meaningful and productive feedback conversations, and guiding organizational change. In the evenings, we'll provide opportunities for informal conversation, fun activities, and great food! Ultimately, chairs will emerge with a mission statement and strategic plan for their department that aligns with their school’s mission and strategic vision. 

This year, we're offering two sessions of this popular institute:

Session 1: Monday, June 12 – Friday June 16, 2023
 
Session 2: Monday, June 19 – Friday June 23, 2023

Pomfret School | Pomfret, CT
$2,750 with dorm lodging | $2,500 commuter option

 


"It's good. It's really good. I left this program with a clear vision of my departmental goals and how to achieve them. This was an outstanding week. You should do this."

 — Neil Chaudhary, Science Department Chair, The Loomis Chaffee School
 

 

Monday

Arrival

You’ll register, get set up in your dorm room, meet the cohort for some goal-setting, then head to a cocktail hour and gourmet dinner at Pomfret's dining hall.

Tuesday

Challenging Conversations

You’ll spend the day learning the skills to navigate the toughest of conversations — giving feedback, coaching colleagues, and offering meaningful praise.

Wednesday

Middle Management

You’ll dig into the challenges of middle management — navigating your role in the hiring process, guiding and inspiring your department, and making the most of your relationships with senior administrators.

Thursday

Alignment

You’ll work in discipline-specific small groups to identify key priorities for your next 3–5 years as chair and craft language that aligns those priorities with the mission and vision of your school.

Friday

Planning

You’ll spend the morning finishing up your strategic plan and reflecting on your experience. Before parting ways after lunch, we’ll present our plans and celebrate the good work we’ve done together!

Ready to change your school from within?

Departmental Leadership Institute

Session 1: Monday, June 12 – Friday June 16, 2023
 
Session 2: Monday, June 19 – Friday June 23, 2023

Pomfret School | Pomfret, CT
$2,750 with dorm lodging | $2,500 commuter option

Questions? Contact Gwyneth Connell at 860.963.5990.

Set on a stunning hilltop in rural Northeastern Connecticut.

Pomfret has been called one of the most beautiful schools in the world. Studded by maples and ringed by stone walls, our 500-acre Hilltop campus exudes New England charm. The original buildings were designed by the celebrated Beaux-Arts architect Ernest Flagg and the grounds were laid out by world-renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Your home away from home will be the dorms overlooking the heart of campus. During your stay, you'll have access to the school’s fitness center, wooded trail system, tennis and squash courts, and yoga studio.

Learn MorE » 

Covid Vaccine Requirement

All conference faculty and staff will be fully vaccinated, and all conference participants are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Please Note: Specific activities are subject to change, based on State of Connecticut requirements and Pomfret School health and safety protocols.