About

Leadership @ UW is a grass roots, institutionally sponsored movement, guided by the spirit of our unique and historic Wisconsin Idea. The purpose of Leadership @ UW is to:

  • Illuminate and connect leadership courses, programs, and opportunities.
  • Facilitate a shared vision and common language for leadership.
  • Identify and promote practices, approaches, and behavior that cultivate positive change.

The movement has attracted the energy and support of hundreds of advocates and volunteers dedicated to the belief that moving leadership from concept to practice positively impacts us all.

Image of student speaking at Spring Open House

History

Formerly known as Coordinated Leadership Initiative (CLI), the program was launched in 2011. In the Fall of 2016, the name was changed to Leadership @ UW to better reflect the program’s connection to UW’s campus.

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2015-2016

Strategic Goal

The Coordinated Leadership Initiative (CLI) seeks to cultivate an ecosystem of stable funding for operational and experimental activities, a strong infrastructure responsive to both short- and long-term needs and goals, and consistent services for the CLI community.

Organizational Structure

PLANNING TEAM

Updates executive sponsors and stakeholders and performs administrative functions while helping set goals for the Coordination Team.

  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Nancy Mitchell, CLI Communications
  • Jessica Moehr, Office of Human Resources
COORDINATION TEAM

Consists of the coordinators from each Functional Area Team, the Project Team, and several Ad Hoc members to provide shared leadership and coordinate support, consistency, and feedback across the project.

  • Libby Bestul, School of Human Ecology
  • Emily Borenitsch, University Health Services
  • Luke Fuszard, Castlight Health
  • Barb Kautz-Wittwer, Division of Student Life
  • Karen Kopacek, School of Pharmacy
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Brittany McGowan, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Nancy Mitchell, Coordinated Leadership Initiative
  • Jessica Moehr, Office of Human Resources
  • Hazel Symonette, Division of Student Life
  • Jerry Whitmore, Jr., College of Letters and Science

2014-2015

Strategic Goals

  1. Initiate and strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships with students, faculty, and staff
  2. Determine sustainable organizational structure; define CLI budget sources and fiscal responsibility to/for campus community
  3. Develop communications strategy through touch points – relational, personal, and technological – to support the CLI brand
  4. Cultivate stories and impacts; share broadly to inform future work
  5. Provide relevant tools, resources, and support based on identified needs of the CLI community
  6. Provide ongoing assessment and evaluation of CLI progress

Organizational Structure

Planning Team

Updates executive sponsors and stakeholders and performs administrative functions while helping set goals for the Coordination Team.

  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Jessica Moehr, Office of Human Resource Development
COORDINATION TEAM

Consists of the coordinators from each Functional Team, the Project Team, and several Ad Hoc members to provide shared leadership and coordinate Functional Teams for support, consistency, and feedback across the project.

  • Libby Bestul, School of Human Ecology
  • Blake Bishop, Law School
  • Charlie Cahill, Graduate Student College of Letters and Science
  • Katherine Charek Briggs, Division of Student Life
  • Luke Fuszard, Castlight Health
  • Bruce Harville, Office of Quality Improvement
  • Karen Kopacek, School of Pharmacy
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Brittany McGowan, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Nancy Mitchell, Coordinated Leadership Initiative
  • Jessica Moehr, Office of Human Resource Development
  • Catherine Stephens, School of Education
  • Hazel Symonette, Division of Student Life
  • Emily Utzerath, Office of the Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Harry Webne-Behrman, Office of Human Resource Development
FUNCTIONAL TEAMS

Five teams address the annual goals and support ongoing work of the initiative.

Communications Team – Develops communications strategy, including engagement events and the design of the Coordinated Leadership website.

  • Blake Bishop, Law School
  • Lindsey Stoddard Cameron, Office of the Secretary of the Faculty
  • Jean Haefner, Division of Continuing Studies
  • Nancy Mitchell (Coordinator), Coordinated Leadership Initiative
  • Catherine Stephens, School of Education
  • Amy Toburen, Division of Student Life
  • Harry Webne-Behrman, Office of Human Resource Development

Data and Assessment Team – Assesses programs, courses, and other resources connected to the UW-Madison Leadership Framework and determines efficacy.

  • Robert Brown, Division of Student Life
  • Katherine Charek Briggs (Coordinator), Division of Student Life
  • James Lloyd, Office of Human Resources
  • Jennifer Nunez, School of Human Ecology
  • Hazel Symonette, Division of Student Life
  • Jane Zhang, Division of Information Technology

Framework Implementation Support Team – Identifies and supports the efforts of the UW-Madison Leadership Framework adopters and champions.

  • Robert Brown, Division of Student Life
  • Chris Dakes, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Marion Farrior, University Arboretum
  • Donna Freitag, Division of Student Life
  • Don Gillian-Daniel, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Kala Grove, College of Letters and Science
  • Stephanie Harrill, School of Education
  • Brittany McGowan (Coordinator), Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Megan Pepper, Division of Student Life
  • Theresa Pesavento, College of Letters and Science
  • Geoff Larson (Coordinator), Division of Information Technology
  • Andrew Ruis, School of Education
  • Courtney Saxler, School of Medicine and Public Health
  • Robert Toomey, Division of Continuing Studies
  • Emily Utzerath (Coordinator), Office of the Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Heather Wetlin, UW-Madison Libraries

Resources Team – Gathers resources and compiles them into a format for easy access, use, and dissemination.

  • Libby Bestul (Coordinator), School of Human Ecology
  • Ariel Kaufman, University Health Services
  • Becca Peine, Division of University Housing
  • Andrew Ruis, School of Education
  • Trisha Wollenzien, Division of Information Technology

Strategic Planning and Sustainability Team – Coordinates strategic planning and sustainability of CLI.

  • Chris Dakes, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Bruce Harville (Coordinator), Office of Quality Improvement
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Jessica Moehr, Office of Human Resource Development
  • Karen Kopacek, School of Pharmacy

2013-2014

Strategic Goal

Vet UW-Madison Leadership Framework and begin implementation

Key Deliverables

  1. Revised framework based on campus feedback
  2. Hosted events and presentations
  3. Supported framework adopters during implementation

Organizational Structure

Planning Team

Updates executive sponsors and stakeholders while performing administrative functions and helping set goals for the Coordination Team.

  • Chris Dakes, College of Engineering
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
COORDINATION TEAM

Consists of the coordinators from each Functional Team, the Project Team, and several Ad Hoc members to provide shared leadership and coordinate Functional Teams for support, consistency, and feedback across the project.

  • Libby Bestul, School of Human Ecology
  • Blake Bishop, Law School
  • Chris Dakes, College of Engineering
  • Steve Gilchrist, Division of Continuing Studies
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Heidi Lang, Wisconsin Union
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Nancy Mitchell, Madison Metropolitan School District
  • Megan Schmid, Division of Student Life
  • Catherine Stephens, School of Education
  • Hazel Symonette, Division of Student Life
  • Emily Utzerath, Office of the Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Harry Webne-Behrman, Office of Human Resource Development
FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

Seven teams address the annual goals and support ongoing work of the initiative.

Assessment Group- Determines how campus programs and courses are connected to the new UW-Madison Leadership Framework while exploring how to assess its potential impact.

  • Carole Block, Division of Information Technology
  • Kristen Brown, College of Letters and Science
  • John Klatt, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • James Lloyd, Office of Human Resources
  • Chris Lupton, Division of Information Technology
  • Eric McKay, Division of University Housing
  • Jennifer Nunez, School of Human Ecology
  • Megan Schmid (Point person), Division of Student Life
  • Hazel Symonette, Division of Student Life

Department/Unit Champions Group- Communicates the value of the Coordinated Leadership Initiative to decision-makers and colleagues and examines ways to provide support and encourage campus-wide adoption of the UW-Madison Leadership Framework.

  • Dani Baker, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Stephanie Benson-Gonzales, Office of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations
  • Kristy Burkholder, School of Human Ecology
  • Michael Fahey, Wisconsin Alumni Association
  • Alicia Hazen, College of Engineering
  • Cindy Holzmann, Division of University Housing
  • Mark Kueppers (Point person), Division of Student Life

Early Adopters Group – Implements the UW-Madison Leadership Framework in local contexts and offers support in the advancement of their work.

  • Jeff Benson, College of Engineering
  • Karley Blake, Wisconsin Athletic Department
  • Katherine Charek Briggs, Division of Student Life
  • Robert Brown, Division of Student Life
  • Erik Burns, Division of Continuing Studies
  • Chris Dakes (Point person), College of Engineering
  • Marian Farrior, University Arboretum
  • Donna Freitag, Division of Student Life
  • Don Gillian-Daniel, School of Education
  • Shep Harrill, School of Education
  • Falicia Hines, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Tyler Hinnendael, College of Engineering
  • Mary Hoddy, Wisconsin Union
  • Carrie Jensen, Office of Human Resources
  • Geoff Larson, Division of Information Technology
  • Megan Miller, School of Education
  • Megan Pepper, Division of Student Life
  • Michael Perry, Division of University Housing
  • Robert Toomey, Division of Continuing Studies

Engagement Group – Prioritizes and supports CLI outreach events, such as workshops, conferences, and speaking engagements and recommends how to best target future audiences.

  • Falicia Hines, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Catherine Stephens (Point person), School of Education
  • Lindsey Stoddard Cameron, Office of the Secretary of the Faculty
  • Emily Utzerath, Office of the Provost for Teaching and Learning
  • Harry Webne-Behrman, Office of Human Resource Development

Framework Revisions Group- Collects campus feedback and determines how to reflect it in the framework.

  • Bruce Harville, Office of Quality Improvement
  • Heidi Lang (Point person), Wisconsin Union
  • Michael Perry, Division of University Housing
  • Ching-Tzu Chien, Division of Information Technology

Resources Group- Gathers information about the diverse forms of leadership resources that are available, used, and needed across campus and creates a survey to identify these resources and ensure that this information is accessible and useful.

  • Libby Bestul, School of Human Ecology
  • Steve Gilchrist (Point person), Division of Continuing Studies
  • Bruce Harville, Office of Quality Improvement
  • Ariel Kaufman, University Health Services
  • Becca Peine, Division of University Housing
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Karen Skibba, Division of Continuing Studies

Website Group- Begins designing a CLI website that will allow people to access and contribute leadership development resources.

  • Blake Bishop (Point person), School of Education
  • Paul Gunther, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Nancy Mitchell (Point person), Madison Metropolitan School District
  • Stephanie Salazar, College of Letters and Science
  • Alan Silver, College of Letters and Science

2012-2013

Strategic Goal

Develop UW-Madison Leadership Framework

Key Deliverables

  1. Guiding Principles
  2. Logic Model
  3. Initial draft of the inaugural Leadership Framework
  4. Framework unveiling event

Organizational Structure

Planning Team

Performs administrative functions and helps set goals and for the Leadership Educators Council Planning Team.

  • Chris Dakes, College of Engineering
  • Jim Gray, Office of Human Resource Development
  • Bruce Harville, Office of Quality Improvement
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
LEADERSHIP EDUCATORS COUNCIL PLANNING TEAM

Is composed of students, leadership educators, and practitioners to ensure broad campus participation in the development of the UW-Madison Leadership Framework.

  • Blake Bishop, Graduate Student, School of Education
  • Chris Dakes, College of Engineering
  • Maria Giannopoulos, Undergraduate Student
  • Jeff Hamm, School of Education
  • Bruce Harville, Office of Quality Improvement
  • Mark Kueppers, Division of Student Life
  • Loren Kuzuhara, Wisconsin School of Business
  • Heidi Lang, Wisconsin Union
  • Nancy Mitchell, School of Education
  • Margaret Nellis, University Health Services
  • Don Schutt, Office of Human Resource Development
  • Farah Shirzadi, Undergraduate Student
  • Liz Wiese, Undergraduate Student

Contributing Members:

  • Will Clifton, Office of Diversity and Equity
  • Geoff Thompson, College of Letters and Science

 

FINDINGS

Institutional Values and Initiatives

Campus documents are explored to learn their ties to leadership, including but not limited to, Wisconsin Experience and Essential Learning Outcomes, University Mission Statement, and the Wisconsin Idea. This research results in the Values element of the framework. Themes of integrity, inclusive engagement and connection and community are consistently supported. The specific and unique origins of these values serve as key differentiators when engaging in leadership within the UW-Madison context.

Leadership Programs

Existing programs on the UW-Madison campus are reviewed and data from the Leadership Development Opportunities Inventory are synthesized. Findings indicate that most programs do not operate from a specific definition of leadership, yet many rely on similar concepts and models to inform their work. Redundant programming, challenging communications, and difficulties sharing resources and ideas, further justify designing a unified leadership framework to support leadership development. Data specifically supports the competencies of interpersonal communication and moving ideas into action.

Outreach and Feedback

Organizations that currently employ UW-Madison alumni are surveyed to better understand what distinguishes UW-Madison graduates. Focus groups articulate how students, faculty and staff understand leadership. Consistent themes emerge that result in the competency of supporting learning and development of others and some of the specific outcomes related to integrity – including commitment to working hard and continuous learning.

Research and Scholarship

Two principles that position the Framework are established: leadership is an action, not a position, along with the concept that context matters when engaging in leadership. Each situation requires a unique response to navigate change. The competencies, self-awareness and decision-making, are added to the UW-Madison Leadership Framework as a result of the research. Engaging in reflection is cited as a critical practice in the development of leadership capacity. A leadership development delivery model is crafted.

2011-2012

Goal

Gauge campus interest and support

Key Deliverables

  1. Leadership Development Opportunities Inventory of nearly 400 campus leadership programs to assess interest level and existing leadership development programming
  2. Contacts and broad campus support
  3. Executive sponsorship

Organizational Structure

Mark Kueppers, Center for Leadership and Involvement, meets with leadership educators across campus

Documents

Guiding Principles

  • Inclusive  – Generating leadership development ideas through the active invitation and engagement of diverse perspectives from UW‐Madison, the community, across the state, and beyond
  • Accessible  – Creating an open place and space for leadership ideas to be shared and amplified
  • Decisive and Action-Oriented – Moving leadership development ideas from concept to practice, which sustains leadership development by positively influencing students, staff, and faculty
  • Reflective  – Continually seeking, assessing, and incorporating feedback about decisions and actions to ensure alignment and relevance
  • Uniquely Wisconsin – Capturing the essence of the Wisconsin Idea, honoring and respecting the culture that both precedes and follows the initiative