The campus community has the opportunity to level up and unlock their potential by joining the Leadership Pathways program, sponsored by the Office of Faculty Affairs. The program features engaging resources to empower administrative and academic faculty who are ready to explore leadership roles on campus or are already on the path to leadership. 

Previously known as the Leadership Experience program, this revamped program's cohesive curriculum fosters career development, skill building, and communication strategies to empower future leaders.

“It’s important to cultivate a campus culture of continuous improvement,” said Chris Heavey, officer in charge. “This program encourages faculty and staff to develop a growth mindset and embrace the next chapter of their careers by actively participating in shaping the future of UNLV.”

The curriculum is structured to build off of the UNLV Management Training Academy (MTA). For MTA graduates, Leadership Pathways is the natural progression in their professional development, offering advanced leadership skills and opportunities for further growth.

“The newly rebranded Leadership Pathways program represents a decisive next step for our MTA graduates,” said Brenda Thompson-El, director of learning and organizational development. “It’s designed to deepen the leadership mindset and equip emerging leaders with the strategic vision, emotional intelligence, and influence skills necessary to lead confidently. For those who have built a strong foundation through the Management Training Academy, this course is the ideal opportunity to take their leadership journey to the next level.”

A Transformative Curriculum to Energize Your Leadership Potential

Whether participants are exploring leadership opportunities or hold current leadership positions on campus, all are encouraged to participate in the Leadership Pathways program. 

Participants gain access to valuable resources to sharpen their skills, uncover their unique leadership styles, and master strategic techniques to inspire and guide teams and to create a positive and productive work environment. 

The highlight of the program is two mentorship opportunities, which offer participants a personalized perspective of different levels of leadership roles at the university. 

Participants will experience leadership firsthand through an intentional pairing with a university leader — such as a dean, vice president, or vice provost — whose wealth of institutional knowledge, strategic vision, and decision-making expertise will bring the curriculum to life, offering a glimpse into what it truly takes to lead in academia.

To further strengthen the curriculum, participants will be placed in mutual mentorship groups, encouraging them to share ideas and problem-solve with peers in similar roles. 

The program’s mentorship opportunities and curriculum encourage participants to develop strategic skills to drive UNLV’s vision and mission forward while building connections with colleagues across campus. By facilitating strong relationships within the cohort, participants will cultivate a leadership network that reflects the rich diversity of UNLV.

Gary Totten, vice provost for faculty affairs, says the program helps participants visualize themselves as leaders by gaining the first hand perspectives needed to take the next step in their careers.

“The Leadership Pathways program is a unique opportunity to see leadership in action at the university by engaging with campus leaders,” Totten said. “Many of these leaders will share their own leadership journeys, offering insights and perspectives that can help participants reflect on and shape their own paths to leadership."

One of the key advantages of developing leaders from within the university is that they are already invested in the campus community, Totten added. They bring institutional knowledge, a deep understanding of how the university operates, and a commitment to its success.

By the end of the program, participants will craft a personal action plan to reflect on their growth and identify areas for continued improvement. They will also outline their strategies for further developing their leadership skills long after the program ends.

Leadership Lessons From Past Participants

Six administrative and academic faculty members took part in the Leadership Experience program’s 2024-25 cohort (now renamed Leadership Pathways). Andy Borts, a senior instructional technology support specialist nearing the completion of the program, says he was inspired to enroll in the Leadership Experience program after his positive experience participating in MTA. 

“I enjoyed my time with the Management Training Academy and was inspired to continue seeking on-campus opportunities to become a great leader,” Borts said. “The Leadership Experience program provided an incredible opportunity for me to keep growing and learning. I was grateful to be paired with a mentor who could serve as an example for how leadership skills are applied in various schools or departments on campus.”

Borts said one of the highlights of the program was hearing campus leaders like Heavey discuss navigating challenging situations, as well as Faculty Senate members explaining how shared governance plays a crucial role in engaging the campus community in decision-making to advance the university’s goals.

Associate professor Heather Dahl-Jacinto, who is in the same cohort as Borts, said the mentorship she received from Nancy Uscher, dean of the College of Fine Arts, was incredibly valuable. After matching with Uscher, Dahl-Jacinto learned how to refine her leadership approach, effectively navigate challenges in her department, and leverage her strengths to support and guide her colleagues.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of the Leadership Experience program was the mentorship component,” Dahl-Jacinto said. “Dean Uscher has been an extraordinary mentor — thoughtful, encouraging, and deeply insightful. She shares her own experiences as a leader that I might relate to or can learn from, and she often shares books she thinks I will find interesting. She has also made it clear that her mentorship is ongoing and will continue past the conclusion of the program, which means a lot to me.”

Both Borts and Dahl-Jacinto encourage their colleagues to join the Leadership Pathways program, noting that the seminars helped them learn about topics such as the intricacies of university systems, self-awareness, value-based decision-making, leadership communication, finances, and shared governance.