Staff Leadership Series Application Requirements 2024-25

Program Overview

The Women’s Place (TWP) is committed to expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to grow their leadership and power at the university. To promote this goal, TWP sponsors the Staff Leadership Series (SLS), a year-long initiative that enables university staff members to enhance their leadership skills, effectiveness and career development. Participants meet bimonthly for group discussions, instruction from guest facilitators, and activities based in leadership and learning theory to encourage self-reflection and discovery.

The Women's Place strives to represent the university community’s diversity in the series and encourages people of all genders and identities to apply. Staff members must have at least two years of work experience at Ohio State by the application deadline to be eligible for the program.

Program Goals:

1. To enhance participants’ capacity to be dynamic, effective, and inclusive leaders
2. To cultivate supportive professional networks
3. To create a pool of potential staff leaders from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in key leadership roles in higher education

Selection

SLS accepts between 24-30 participants each year who have demonstrated leadership potential or ability within their respective units.

Participants will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Staff members must have at least two years of work experience at Ohio State by the application deadline to be eligible for the program
• Demonstrated leadership and service to a department/unit, university or community
• Contribution to the diversity of the SLS cohort, including representatives from different backgrounds, disciplines, and Ohio State campuses
• Likelihood to contribute to and maximize the knowledge the program offers
• Ability to reflect and think critically about their current career and professional development goals

Participant Commitments

Participants meet bimonthly from September – August for instruction from guest facilitators, group discussions, and self-reflection/discovery. The monthly time commitment is about 6 hours, plus any preparation for sessions (readings, viewing videos, completing independent reflections or activities).

Note to supervisors: members of SLS cohorts are expected to be able to participate in the series as part of their typical work hours and should not be utilizing comp time, sick time or vacation time to complete the program.

Participants are expected to commit to all of the following:

• An orientation in September or October addressing SLS principles, structure, and team building
• Consistent attendance at workshops
• A closing celebration in August
• Small homework assignments as needed to prepare for workshops
• $850 contribution from your department to help defray program expenses*

*Human Resources offers Staff Professional Development Funds that can be used to pay for the SLS if you are selected to receive this funding. You must apply for this before applying for the SLS, by the end of May, though. In addition, support from The Women’s Place may be available for applicants who are interested in this opportunity, but lack financial support from their home units. Feel free to apply or inquire at womensplace@osu.edu for more information.

The mode of meetings for SLS will follow public health guidance from the university. We plan to host about 13 sessions in person and the rest virtually, but the program will proceed fully remote if or when needed. SLS generally meets from 1-4 pm every other week. Below are an overview of typical session topics and  session dates.

Typical Session Topics:

Tentative Schedule

Fall 2024

1.) Weds, Sep 18
2.) Orientation: Weds, Oct 2 [note extended time period: 8:30am - 1:30pm]
3.) Weds, Oct 16
4.) Weds, Oct 30 
5.) Weds, Nov 13 
6.) Weds, Dec 4

Spring 2025 (classes begin Jan 8)

7.) Weds, Jan 15 
8.) Weds, Jan 29 
9.) Weds, Feb 12 
10.) Weds, Feb 26
11.) Weds, March 19 
12.) Weds, April 2 
13.) Weds, April 16 
14.) Weds, April 30

Summer 2025

15.) Weds, May 14 
16.) Weds, June 4 
17.) Weds, June 25 
18.) Weds, July 9 
19.) Weds, July 23
20.) Finale: Friday, August 8 [note extended time period: 10am - 4 pm]

How to Apply (Deadline: July 15, 2024 by 4:59 pm)

• Complete the Online Application: Please have a current resume or career outline ready to upload to the online application. Important note: We encourage you to preview the online application and prepare your essay responses prior to completing the application. To preview the full application, after clicking the link above, use the "Tools" drop down menu at the top of the page to choose "Ignore validation" and "Show hidden questions." After previewing the application and once you start completing it using the button link at the bottom of this page, you cannot save an incomplete application and return to complete it. You must input all the required information in one sitting; your information will only be saved when you click on the final submit button. (See application link at the bottom of the page.)
• Department/Unit Support: For successful completion of The Women’s Place Staff Leadership Series, participants are expected to attend all workshop sessions and activities and have their departmental/unit supervisors' support for these commitments.* Participants’ units will be responsible for the $850 contribution.
• Letters of Recommendation:  
  1. One letter of recommendation from the individual to whom you report is required and due by July 15, 2024.   
  2. A second letter from a professional reference is optional

The letters should address the applicant’s leadership skills and abilities, accomplishments, and potential for professional growth. Each letter must be submitted by the nominator/recommender, not the applicant. Have your nominators/recommenders submit their letters online: go.osu.edu/2024slsRecLetter.

*Note to applicant's supervisor: To successfully complete The Women’s Place Staff Leadership Series, participants are expected to attend all workshop sessions and activities, which include time commitments of 6-8 hours monthly during regular business hours. SLS generally meets Wednesdays from 1-4 pm every other week. By recommending the applicant, the supervisor agrees to support the applicant’s involvement in the Staff Leadership Series, including, if needed, through allowing flexibility in scheduling and duties for the 12-month period. Members of SLS cohorts are expected to be able to participate in the series as part of their typical work hours and should not be utilizing comp time, sick time or vacation time to complete the program.

• Application deadline: All applications, letters of recommendation, and resumes must be received by 4:59pm July 15, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their selection to the program no later than August 15, 2024. (Note: Application materials are available to The Women’s Place and the selection committee only and are otherwise kept confidential.)

If you have questions regarding the leadership series or application process, contact Diane Florian, communications and program manager, at florian.1@osu.edu.

2024-2025 SLS Application

2024-2025 SLS Letters of Recommendation