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The Leadership Academy for Women Faculty (LAWF) program is an eight-month cohort-based leadership development experience for faculty members at Georgia State University. The program seeks to empower current and emerging leaders who are committed to self-discovery, lifelong learning, career advancement, and leading from where they are.

Please Note: The next LAWF program will take place in the 2025-26 academic year with applications due in Spring 2025. For your reference and so that you may prepare for 2025-26, we’ve included application eligibility and requirements information for the previous cohort below.

Mission

The mission of the LAWF program is to provide leadership development for current and emerging faculty to prepare them as future leaders at GSU and in the world of higher education to close the gender gap in the academy.

Program Objectives and Curriculum

The LAWF program will enhance the leadership skills and competencies of participants, while introducing them to the broader GSU community and higher education in general.

The curriculum will:

• Provide participants with greater knowledge of GSU, its structure, mission, and vision
• Increase the participants’ understanding of higher education and the issues facing university leaders
• Give participants a better understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses
• Strengthen participants’ commitment to improving the University climate to ensure an open, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all
• Educate participants about budgets and financing at a public institution
• Offer participants an opportunity to engage in team building experiences
• Prepare participants for mentoring roles

Eligibility

Full-time women and their allies who hold faculty rank from any discipline are eligible with the exception of limited term faculty. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

To apply the applicant will submit:

• Online application
• Personal statement of interest in the program
• Curriculum vitae
• Bio sketch (100 words or less)
• Three letters of recommendation and support
  • A GSU colleague
  • Department chair (if applicable)
  • Dean or designee

Selection Process

Successful candidates will:

• Demonstrate the skills, potential, and aspiration to be leaders in higher education
• Be at a point in their career where this program will be most beneficial
• Have the support and commitment of their departments to participate fully
• Have the desire to further develop their skills, knowledge, and abilities

A selection committee will review application materials and invite strong applicants for in-person interviews. The interviews consider the overall strength of the applicant, with specific attention to leadership characteristics, skills, diversity, and academic and experiential backgrounds. Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of May.

Time Commitment

Membership in LAWF is rewarding but also demanding. It requires a substantial commitment of time and energy as well as full and active participation. The program is designed to maximize interaction between participants so any absences will affect the group as a whole.

A less-than-full commitment is unfair to fellow participants and to the many qualified candidates who were not accepted. The program year spans an eight-month time frame. Attendance is mandatory for all program events, including the workshops and graduation.

Before applying, please review the schedule. Sessions will meet monthly in-person for a full day (9am-4pm) at the Downtown Campus unless noted.

Application information is anticipated to be posted in this space in February 2025.