GWALA

Developing Academic Leaders

The GW Academic Leadership Academy (GWALA) facilitates cross-institutional networking and leadership development among academic leaders across the university. Designed to build leadership capacity for participating schools and units, GWALA offers a cohort-based experience that fosters practical growth, institutional insight, and long-lasting connections.

We are pleased to share the roster for cohort six below. It represents dynamic and diverse mix of leaders from across GW’s academic units

gwala_cohort_6_roster.pdf

Learn more about eligibility or future nomination cycles

Review the GWALA nomination process here. We encourage you to read the 2025 article highlighting participants and their work in GW Today's "Academic Leadership Academy Celebrates Cohort 5." Additionally, this April 28th GW Hatchet article provides more context and interviews with GWALA alum.

As a year-long, cohort-based program, participants will benefit from a CV-worthy experience that considers their well-being and helps them develop leadership skills while building lasting relationships with colleagues across GW.

GWALA Objectives:

Enhance Understanding: Deepen your institutional knowledge of GW’s culture and management practices.
Reflect and Grow: Examine and develop your personal leadership style, fostering greater self-awareness.
Develop Leadership Skills: Build your leadership toolbox and cultivate inclusive leadership skills to address challenges in higher education.
Broaden Networks: Connect with and learn from a diverse array of GW’s senior leaders to expand your professional network.
Engage in Peer Mentoring: Collaborate with colleagues to address real-world challenges in your current role.
Apply Learning: Focus on a work-related project to implement the leadership skills acquired during the program.

Each fellow selects a project to serve as a focus for applying what they learn in a real-world scenario. Some focus on a new initiative while others choose their department or program to serve as their "project." Looking back on their experiences, a number of fellows reported that their ability to focus on a "long-overdue" project finally positioned them to successfully finish what would have otherwise remained on their important/not urgent To Do lists.

Commitment Required:

Active Participation: Engage fully in seven scheduled seminars throughout the year.
Project Leadership: Lead a project that will serve as a practical case study for applying your new skills.
Dedicated Time Investment: Allocate approximately 2-4 hours per month to complete required assignments.

Link here to learn more about the program and the nomination process

Developing Academic Leaders

Learn more about eligibility or future nomination cycles

Meet our Graduates