UADA Internal Leadership Education and Development Program - iLEAD

General Information

Title: iLEAD (Internal Leadership Education And Development)

Prerequisites:

• 3+ years of Division of Agriculture employment/experience
• Permission to participate from direct supervisor and District Director/Program Leader/Department Head
• Performance review of “Above Average” or “Exceeds Standards”

Target Audience: Faculty, County Agents, Program Associates, Support Unit personnel

Term: July 2025 – June 2026

Class Time: See schedule below

Instructor: Dr. Julie Robinson

Number of Participants: 15 – 20

Through the Division of Agriculture Internal Leadership Education And Development program (iLEAD), participants will identify and address real-world challenges facing the organization. The iLEAD program will foster a trusting, collaborative learning environment for the support of leadership skill development. The team approach will support the discovery of diverse perspectives, providing participants with a peer support network as well. iLEAD instructional goals & targeted outcomes include strengthening retention & programmatic efforts, while supporting internal leadership development aligned with the land-grant mission. The proposed iLEAD program will support & deepen the development of the leadership talent pool within the Division of Agriculture.

The iLEAD program will provide Division of Agriculture professionals leadership development through training, hands-on experiences, and personal reflection to expand leadership capacity within the Division of Agriculture. The program is a developmental experience exploring critical and emerging issues to help Division of Agriculture personnel become effective leaders by improving their interpersonal skills, knowledge of the organization, communication skills, relationship building, program planning and development, leadership, and resource development skills. 

The program will be structured into three parts:

• Six (6) face-to-face seminars
• One (1) virtual sessions
• One (1) leadership service project

• Enhance interpersonal skills through a virtual and in-person sessions, providing participants with knowledge, skills, and opportunities for growth.
• Interact with other leaders across the organization.
• Prepare participants for future leadership roles within the Division of Agriculture.
• Expand participant vision, experience, and tools to deal with the rapidly changing social, political, economic, and environmental climate.
• Explore leadership roles and responsibility for facilitating positive organizational change.
• Ensure participants gain an understanding of the land-grant mission and key organizational policies
• Deepen participant understanding of issues facing Arkansas communities so that programs, resources, and methods are designed to meet current and emerging needs.
• Support participant understanding of current public policy as it relates to the Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, and national issues.

• Completion of an online application form
• Approval of participation by direct supervisor and District Director/Program Leader/Department Head via online form
• Interview with panel appointed by Drs. Anderson and Meullenet

The program spans 12 months.  There are six face-to-face seminars and one virtual seminar. An online course platform will be used to house materials and facilitate discussions of the content and issues presented in the face-to-face and virtual seminars to keep class members linked to the learning process between seminars.

The curriculum is designed to meet the broad-based objectives outlined in the learning objectives.  The program will employ a combination of speakers, activities, tours, seminar assignments, reading, on–line education, virtual sessions, discussions, coaching, and reading for a comprehensive leadership development experience over a twelve-month period. The program will culminate with participants completing a real-world leadership service project. Experienced Division of Agriculture personnel, faculty, and other key leaders will conduct seminar sessions.  

Each participant will complete a variety of assessments throughout the program to develop an understanding of their skills, knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes.  Feedback regarding each assessment will be given to each class member as part of the program.  Assessments will include True Colors Personality Type Assessment, Myers-Briggs Personality Type Inventory, conflict management assessment, and change style indicator.   

Students will be expected to complete readings, participate in seminar activities, complete seminar assignments, lead, engage in discussions, and implement a service project in order to complete the program. 

Throughout the program, class members will have the opportunity to influence future seminars as well as the program design for prospective classes. 

Alumni will be expected to contribute to the program and to the Division of Agriculture after graduating from the program.  For example, graduates may be called on to serve as speakers, seminar facilitators, and coaches for future classes or to serve on Division of Agriculture committees.

Cohort 1

 

Cohort II

 

Cohort III

 

 Cohort IV

 

 Cohort V