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
Course 1: Foundations of Leading Change in Higher Education (12 weeks)
This virtual course provides a foundational overview for postsecondary leaders to identify and apply the key elements of change leadership. This course will highlight strategies for research, reflection, planning, and action that they can take to ensure both the success and 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 other frameworks for embedding equity into change initiatives.
At the completion of this course, 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 determine how elements of those frameworks can be leveraged to improve the success of their own change initiatives
- Explore strategies for embedding equity in change leadership
- Apply change leadership strategies to initiatives in the learner context
Course Delivery: Twelve (12) weeks, online asynchronous and six (6) synchronous sessions. Six synchronous meeting dates.
Pre-Requisite Knowledge: 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 maybe leading in the future.
Course Completion Requirements: To achieve a completion certificate, participants must complete all assigned reflection discussion posts and end of course summary reflection, as well as participate in at least four (4) synchronous sessions and watch recordings for any missed session. To complete with distinction, participants must submit a change project template for feedback.
Participants can expect to spend 3-5 hours per month in synchronous meetings and asynchronous readings, videos, and online discussions.
Textbooks (Required)
Kezar, A. (2018). How Colleges Change: Understanding, Leading, and Enacting Change 2nd edition. ISBN-10: 1138562645 / ISBN-13: 978- 1138562646
Amazon.com $34.82-$47.16
Kotter, J. (2012). Leading Change. ISBN-10: 9781422186435 / ISBN-13: 978-1422186435 / Amazon.com $15.51 -$28.13
Course 2: Championing Change Leadership in Higher Education (6 weeks)
This course provides an opportunity for leaders to apply and discuss implementation of the key elements of change leadership. Specifically targeted for postsecondary leaders that completed the Foundations course, this course will highlight advanced topics in higher education change leadership including leading vs. managing change, overcoming challenges and resistance to change, and developing effective communication strategies around change. Participants will be expected to either use their existing Foundations change plan or develop a new plan using the Kotter template provided.
At the completion of this course, all participants should be able to:
- Develop a change plan using the Kotter change template provided;
- Describe the differences between leading and managing change and develop approaches for both;
- Define challenges to change and identify approaches to mitigate change challenges;
- Understand and apply effective communication strategies to change efforts.
Course Delivery: Six (6) weeks, online asynchronous and four (4) synchronous 90-minute sessions.
Pre-Requisite Knowledge: Participants will need to successfully complete the Foundations course before enrolling in the Championing Change course.
Course Completion Requirements: To achieve a course completion certificate, participants must complete all assigned reflection discussion posts and end of course summary reflection, as well as participate in at least two (2) synchronous sessions and watch recordings for any missed sessions.
Participants can expect to spend two (2) hours a week in synchronous meetings and on asynchronous readings, videos, and online discussions.
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
Course 1: Foundations of Leading Change (12 weeks)
CPD Member: $400
SUNY Member: $450
Non-SUNY: $500
Course 2: Championing Change Leadership (6 weeks)
CPD Member: $300
SUNY Member: $350
Non-SUNY: $400
Both Course 1 and Course 2 (18 weeks)
CPD Member: $620
SUNY Member: $720
Non-SUNY: $820
Group Discounts Available
Additional discounts are available to groups of the following size attending the same program:
- 5-9 people = 10% discount
- 10-19 people = 15% discount
- 20-29 people = 20% discount
Please send your group request to cpdinfo@suny.edu at least 30 days prior to the start of the course/program.
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
Course 1: Foundations of Leading Change in Higher Education
January 7 – March 31, 2025
Synchronous Meeting Dates
Fridays 8:00am-9:30am
- January 10
- January 31
- February 14
- February 21
- March 7
- March 21
Course 2: Championing Change in Higher Education
April 1 – May 12 , 2025
Synchronous Meeting Dates
Fridays 8:00am-9:30am
- April 11
- April 18
- May 2
- May 9
What do participants say about the course?
“This course deftly combined an introduction to the theories of change with the opportunity to apply, reflect, and engage with peers across SUNY. The instructors provides excellent case studies to help bring change theories to life. Their approach to the learning experience was inviting and collaborative. I always felt welcomed to participate and that my contribution was valued.”
Spring 2023 Participant
“Loved learning about the change management theories, especially in the unique context of Higher Education! I feel much more prepared to lead efforts for my organization.”
Spring 2023 Participant
“Leading Change in Higher Education is an important course if you are a person who believes change is important and necessary, and you want to effectuate it. Both Jennifer Miller and Kim Scalzo were open, honest, and engaging in their instruction and participation. This was another successful SUNY CPD course.”
Spring 2023 Participant
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.
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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.