The Staff Leadership Institute seeks to enhance job performance and personal development
skills by challenging the spirit of each participant. This 8-month program is open
to any staff member of WKU. The SLI is sponsored by Human Resources and coordinated
by the Continuing & Professional Development office.
Program Objective
To provide a rigorous, impactful program of personal and professional development
for a cohort of WKU staff.
General information
2026 - 2027 Tentative Dates & Topics
| Day |
Date |
Course Title |
| 1 |
9/16/2026 |
Leadership Kick-off & DISC Assessment |
| 2 |
9/30/2026 |
Challenge Course |
| 3 |
10/21/2026 |
Habits of Successful Leaders 1 & 2 |
| 4 |
11/11/2026 |
Leadership 1 & 2 |
| 5 |
1/13/2027 |
Dealing with Conflict & Stress Strategies |
| 6 |
2/3/2027 |
My WKU Day with HR |
| 7 |
2/25/2027 |
Cultural Competency |
| 8 |
3/11/2027 |
Spirit of Service & Campus Tour |
| 9 |
4/1/2027 |
FISH Philosophy, Wrap Up, & Graduation |
(Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
COST: $600/person (paid by sponsoring unit/department/college)
Application Deadline: Extended to Friday, August 28!
- Participants are notified of their acceptance into the program by Monday, September
15th.
- Selection for participation in the program is competitive and requires recommendation
and approval by supervisor(s).
2026 - 2027 SLI Features
Learn from our experienced trainers and proven content, while also benefitting from
our new features:
- Tour campus areas and hear from guest speakers.
- Increased communication with the participants' supervisors.
- Delicious catered lunch every day or a Fresh pass if on campus.
- At graduation, you will receive one of a kind, dated Staff Leadership Institute gifts,
along with a signed certificate of completion for framing.
- Develop lifelong friendships with your cohort and familiarity with WKU Faculty, Staff,
and Trainers, as well as buildings, colleges, and schools within WKU.
Learning Outcomes for Participants
Upon completion of the program participants will be able to:
-
Use improved leadership competencies
-
Apply basic leadership principles
-
Employ knowledge of WKU resources
SLI Alumni Testimonials:
"Since SLI ... I have gained a much deeper understanding of what it means to be a
leader without holding a formal leadership title. One of the most valuable lessons
I learned is that leadership often begins with setting an example. By demonstrating
dedication, professionalism, and a strong work ethic, I can encourage and inspire
those around me to do the same. I am especially grateful for the insights I gained
through the DISC assessment. Understanding my strengths has helped me become more
intentional in how I lead and contribute.
The confidence and growth I gained through SLI have already had a meaningful impact
on my professional journey. Since participating in the program, I have received departmental
recognition, been invited to assist with an upcoming retreat focused on student retention
and recruitment, and will be attending an out-of-state conference this October alongside
fellow advisors and leaders from Academic Affairs!
I truly enjoyed my time in SLI. One of the program's greatest strengths is the opportunity
to build relationships across campus. Through SLI, I connected with colleagues I may
never have met otherwise, and I now regularly see familiar faces at campus events
such as Preview Day, Commencement, and Homecoming celebrations. Coming from a small
department, those connections have strengthened my sense of belonging and given me
the confidence to become more involved in campus life.
I hope the next cohort finds the experience just as meaningful and rewarding. My advice
to future participants is simple: leave your inhibitions behind, be open to new experiences,
and embrace the friendships and connections you will make along the way."
-Brandy Lasiter, SLI cohort '25-26
“SLI has helped me make connections across campus that I can share with our SSS students!”
-Rachel Salyer, SLI cohort '24-25
"During the [SLI] program, last spring, I got accepted into University of Kentucky's
online Master of Science in Library Systems program. I start this Fall and I was selected
be a part of the governing body of UK's American Library Association chapter. Just
last week I was informed that I was also awarded the Kentucky Library Association
Kompanik Scholarship.
SLI was an incredibly positive experience for professionally. It allowed me to connect
with other parts of campus and in turn, I helped them understand more about what WKU
Libraries contribute to campus and student life. Those connections have already been
used to improve our impact with the student body. Colleagues within my cohort have
reached out to me help their students and it was very productive. I highly recommend
participating in SLI to other staff on campus."
-Daniel Newman, SLI cohort '25-'26
