NLA Health Sciences Track Fellows Curriculum

Since its founding in 2015, the New Leadership Academy (NLA) has demonstrated how leadership development must evolve to acquire the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to lead in the twenty-first century United States. The relevance of this approach has proven to be increasingly important as the COVID-19 pandemic magnified existing issues in every sector of our country, particularly in healthcare and higher education.  

The NLA curriculum and learning strategies draw upon traditional leadership theory and contemporary scholarship that investigate the role of leaders under highly contested and complex conditions. This pedagogical approach empowers institutional and organizational leaders with the knowledge, tools, and courage needed to lead effectively on their campuses and in their organizations. The NLA Health Sciences Track experience is organized around a specific and informed set of core competencies, which have been determined through the input of professional organizations, scholars, practitioners, and NLA Alumni.  

Curricular elements consist of:  

• Monthly synchronous and asynchronous learning modules (January 2025 to June 2025) alongside NLA Fellows. 
• Additional tailored synchronous and asynchronous learning modules facilitated by established health sciences experts.  
• In-person five-day Summer Institute Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 6, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  
• Immersive health sciences case studies and case clinics.
• Assignments which include the creation of a personalized leadership development action plan and self-directed institutional project, among others. 
• Intentionally designed small dialogue groups and community of practice that integrate multiple perspectives and areas/disciplines of the health sciences.  
• Facilitated book club discussions on contemporary healthcare topics.  
• Longitudinal executive coaching, consisting of three 1:1 coaching sessions (virtual and in-person) with established professionals in the health sciences. 
• Networking and cross-collaboration opportunities with health sciences and higher education professionals. 

Time Commitment

Fellows are expected to fully engage in all curricular components of NLA Health Sciences Track. While it varies for each participant, Fellows can generally expect to commit 6 to 8 hours per month to various NLA-related curricular elements.