Proven strategies for managing complex institutions, building high-performing teams, and driving long-term mission success.
This course examines the multifaceted leadership challenges within modern higher education, focusing on the balance between operational efficiency and long-term institutional mission. It explores the complexities of managing diverse stakeholder groups, including faculty, staff, and students, while navigating industry-wide shifts in technology and public perception. The content emphasizes the importance of strategic delegation, the necessity of diverse leadership teams to mitigate blind spots, and the integration of long-term vision with daily tactical execution. Participants will gain insight into how to foster a culture of radical candor and professional development within a large, mission-driven organization.
Motivational & Leadership Speaker
Adam Mendler is a nationally recognized authority on leadership, renowned for his unique ability to deliver perspective-shifting insights shaped by interviewing more than 500 of America’s most successful leaders. The creator and host of the top-rated business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, Adam regularly elicits insights from America's top CEOs, founders, athletes, celebrities, and political and military leaders. A keynote speaker to businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations, Adam has written extensively on business and leadership, having authored more than 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc., and HuffPost. A Los Angeles native and lifelong Angels fan, Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA, serves on the board of UCLA’s Master of Applied Statistics & Data Science program, is an emeritus member of USC’s Board of Governors, and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders.
Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership and Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Justin Schwartz is a distinguished nuclear engineer and academic leader currently serving as the Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, his research focuses on the interdisciplinary field of superconducting and magnetic materials, holding seven patents that advance energy and medical technologies. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2024, Dr. Schwartz served as the Executive Vice President and Provost, and Dean of the College of Engineering, at Penn State University. He holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
