Leading Change in Higher Education
Given the ever-changing landscape of higher education, college leaders are expected to effectively lead and manage different types of change efforts within their organizations. From large whole college structural change to department-level technical process changes, leaders at all levels and in a wide range of roles and functions are charged to employ skills, resources, and strategies to successfully lead, manage, and sustain change activities within the diverse culture, context, and climate of their institutions.
These courses provide an overview for leaders to identify and apply the key elements of change leadership. Specifically targeted for postsecondary leaders, courses will highlight strategies for research, reflection, and action that they can take to ensure both the success, as well as sustainability of their change projects. Learning topics will include Kezar (2018)’s key change theories and strategies in higher education and macro change framework, Kotter (2012)’s eight steps for leading change, as well as several embedding equity in change frameworks.
The courses will utilize online synchronous learning sessions, online discussions, surveys, readings, videos, and an end of course summary reflection.
See individual course descriptions below for detailed information.
Sponsored by the SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD)
Course Descriptions
Target Audience
Mid to senior-level leaders in a wide range of roles across functional areas (administration, faculty and staff) in postsecondary higher education institutions will benefit from this content. Additionally, leaders at all levels who are tasked with leading organizational change projects within their higher education institutions are welcome.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this series, all participants should be able to:
- Describe the elements of change leadership in higher education;
- Compare and contrast theories of change in higher education;
- Define macro frameworks for change leadership and explore strategies for embedding equity in change leadership;
- Describe the differences between leading and managing change;
- Define challenges to change and identify approaches to mitigate change challenges;
- Understand and apply effective communication strategies to change efforts;
- Apply change leadership strategies to initiatives in the learner context.
Pre-Requisite Knowledge/Course Completion Requirements
Participants should come with a change initiative in mind – either one they have led or are leading, one they were involved in, or one they could or may be leading in the future. Participants who successfully complete both the Foundations and Championing Change courses will be awarded the Leading Change in Higher Education Certificate.
Participants can expect to spend 3 hours per month in synchronous meetings and 3-5 hours per week on asynchronous readings, videos, and online discussions.
Course Pricing
How to Pay
Available payment methods are:
- Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
- CPD General Points
- Campus Check
- Journal Transfer
FULL payment is required 30 days from the date of registration.
CPD Points: Check if your campus is a member. Prior approval is required. If points are denied, the registrant is responsible for the payment.
Journal Transfer (State Operated campuses only): An account number with authorizing signature for Journal Transfers is required within 48 hours. You must print and return the invoice that is included with the registration confirmation email.
Registration for Spring 2025
Meet the Instructors
Jennifer Miller
Jennifer Miller is Assistant Vice Chancellor of Community Colleges at the State University of New York (SUNY) & the Executive Director, New York State Success Center. She provides support and leadership for the statewide activities including projects related to organizational change leadership, enrollment, operations, administration, marketing, and student success, as well as acting as a liaison for community college presidential searches. As the Executive Director of the NYS Success Center (www.nysssc.org), which is part of the national Jobs for the Future (JFF) Student Success Center Network, she oversees programs and activities focusing on capacity building and leadership development, as well as the development of institutional programs focused on equitable post-secondary college success. Jennifer is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. She has also completed the Harvard Extension School Coaching Leadership Strategies program, the Rutgers University Continuing Education School Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance program, and the SUNY SAIL Mindful Leadership program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Siena College, a master’s degree in Organizational Communication from the University at Albany, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville University.
Kim Scalzo
Kim A. Scalzo is currently serving as Interim Senior Associate Provost for Digital Innovation and Academic Services, a portfolio that includes SUNY Online, the SUNY Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS), SUNY OER Services, SUNY’s Coursera Partnership, the FLEXSpace Consortium, the Innovative Instruction Technology Grants (IITG) program, and the Faculty Advisory Council for Teaching and Technology (FACT2). She also serves as the Co-lead for SUNY Student Success initiatives at the system level and is co-lead for the implementation of SUNY’s new Digital Learning Environment. Kim’s previous roles at SUNY include serving as the inaugural Executive Director of SUNY Online and Director of the SUNY Center for Professional Development. Prior to joining SUNY, she served as Director of Academic Outreach Programs and Professional and Distance Education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is a US representative to the IACEE Quality Program for continuing education organizations and co-founder of the SUNY Online Institutional Readiness program to implement quality standards for distance learning organizations. Kim has also been a member of the International Association of Continuing Engineering Education (IACEE) Council since 2008, currently serving as Past-President.
Contact Us
The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) supports a wide range of professional development opportunities for the academic, technical, and leadership communities across the SUNY System.