CEIA Academy – ASCEND

Empower Your Leaders

Elevate Your Organization

During the past several years, CEIA has heard from members about the need for leadership development opportunities. A dedicated task force has developed the ASCEND program to fill this need.

This cohort-based program is designed for emerging and aspiring leaders, or those looking to grow as a leader. The six engaging sessions will be led by experienced practitioners from both the higher education and corporate fields. Monthly synchronous virtual sessions will emphasize networking and reference real-world scenarios.

Investing in leadership development drives productivity, engagement, and long-term success. Our tailored sessions provide actionable strategies to strengthen teams, lead change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Sessions

Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement

• Learn how to build a feedback-driven workplace that fosters growth and innovation
• Equip leaders with tools to encourage proactive problem-solving and efficiency
• Why It Matters: Companies that prioritize continuous improvement outperform competitors

Supporting Staff Growth: Creating an Environment of Learning and Development

• Identify creative ways to develop talent through mentorship and skill-building
• Learn how to make professional development accessible to all employees
• Why It Matters: Career growth is a top driver of employee engagement and retention

Ripple Effect of Relationship-Centric Leadership

• Build strong professional relationships that drive collaboration and success
• Discover communication and trust-building techniques to enhance partnerships
• Why It Matters: Organizations with strong relationships have higher employee satisfaction and innovation

Leading High-Performing Teams

• Discover how to set clear expectations, foster trust, and maximize team strengths
• Build a culture of accountability, motivation, and sustained performance
• Why It Matters: Strong teams lead to higher retention, productivity, and business success

Strategic Planning that Will Work for You

• Align daily work with long-term business goals through structured planning
• Learn how to adapt strategies based on market shifts and organizational needs
• Why It Matters: Companies with strong strategic plans outperform those that react to challenges without a roadmap

Mastering Change: Leading Transformation with Confidence

• Gain proven strategies to overcome resistance and drive successful transitions
• Learn to communicate change effectively and get buy-in from employees
• Why It Matters: 70% of change initiatives fail due to poor leadership—this session ensures yours doesn’t

Program Facilitators

Our team of experienced practitioners look forward to creating an engaging and valuable experience. For information on our background, click on the Program Facilitator Bios page on the right of the screen.

Cost

• $300 for CEIA members
• $495 for non-members

Session Dates & Times 

All posted sessions are on US Central Time.

• Tuesday, May 19, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, June 16, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, July 21, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, August 18, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, September 22, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
• Tuesday, October 20, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Registration Information

• Prior application and acceptance is required.
• Registration deadline is May 1, 2026.
• This year’s cohort is limited to 25 participants.

Additional Questions

Contact David Schwartz: dschwartz@bradley.edu