The Office of the Provost and the Division of Human Resources are pleased to announce that, on April 25, 2017, twenty-five faculty and administrative leaders completed the year-long cohort-based professional development program Pipeline for Academic Leaders (PAL). Chosen for their notable contributions to campus life, these Fellows, representing fourteen schools and colleges, and five administrative departments, were chosen from dozens of nominees presented by the university’s deans and vice presidents.

The PAL program reflects President Harris Pastides’ abiding interest in leadership development in all areas of university life. Designed and funded by the Offices of the Provost and Human Resources, the PAL Fellowship is a year-long invitation-only program for campus leaders who are ready to take their already considerable talents to the next level while addressing USC's capacity-building needs. Over the course of this academic year, PAL Fellows participated in 50 hours of targeted professional development activities focused on President Pastides’ Five Leadership Competencies:

• Leading Change
• Leading People
• Managing for Results
• Institutional Knowledge and Understanding
• Building Relationships

Within those broad categories, PAL Fellows gained experience in budgeting and human resources processes, managing difficult people and conflict, and building a network outside one’s academic discipline. The group also explored USC’s values and strategic direction while learning more about the university’s culture, policies and decision making. Fellows participated in an important process of self-discovery through instruments including a 360 degree feedback process.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2017-18 PAL cohort, which begins in August 2017. Visit the Human Resources website for more information.

Posted May 12, 2017