Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

The program will enroll approximately 20 tenured faculty (tenured equivalent for teaching professors). We seek a diverse group of self-motivated individuals committed to effective leadership through active involvement. They must be prepared to participate in a five-month program.

Previous administrative leadership experience is not a prerequisite for participation. Please read the Program Information - Spring 2027brochure for more information on the process.

The Academy will take place in spring 2027, and it will consist of 10 intensive sessions and a program graduation, totaling approximately 75 program session hours. Approximately two to four additional hours of time between each session will be necessary for inter-session assignments and project work.

The success of the Faculty Leadership Academy depends upon each participant’s commitment to the program’s entire schedule, and therefore 100% participation is required. The program emphasizes team engagement as a fundamental component of leadership development. Individuals should review their spring 2027 commitments now to ensure that they apply only if they are available to attend all ten sessions and the program graduation. Those who miss a session may be asked to excuse themselves from the remainder of the program.

Sessions will be conducted in person at different locations on the UC Berkeley campus (to be announced), with one or two sessions likely to be held off-campus at other UC locations (e.g., at the UC Office of the President in Oakland).

Detailed information about the application and letter of support process will be available on the program website. A Cal Message will also be sent to faculty with information about the program and the application process. 

This year the FLA Planning Team, with participant alumni, is hosting three optional information sessions to provide information and answer questions about the Academy.  All sessions will be via Zoom and will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 3:00 - 4:00 pm; Thursday, Feb. 12, 10:30 - 11:30 am; and Friday, Feb. 20, 2:30 - 3:30 pm. Please sign up in advance for one session via this link

Application

Interested candidates must apply directly to the program no later than Monday, March 9, 2026, 5:00 pm (no late or incomplete applications will be considered). Please review the application and instructions

Letter of Support

As part of the application process, candidates must receive a letter of support from an individual who can speak to the candidate’s leadership potential. The letter must be received no later than Thursday, March 5, 2026, 2024, 5:00 pm by completing this “Letter of Support” formLetter writers will be asked to address the following questions in their letter of support: 

• How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? 

• What characteristics demonstrate the applicant’s ability to be successful in future leadership opportunities at UC Berkeley?

• How does the applicant perform on committees or teams? What are the particular strengths that the applicant brings to collaborative projects? 

• What qualities does the applicant represent that may be underrepresented in our current leadership?

• What growth opportunities warrant attention by the applicant?

• Why do you believe they should participate in this Academy, and what hesitations do you have about their participation?

Selection Process

Participants will be carefully evaluated and selected by members of the Faculty Advisory Board and Program Sponsors based on their capacity to demonstrate two or more of the following characteristics:

• Strong personal initiative and motivation                 

• Ability to work well within a diverse group

• Desire to contribute significantly to the UC Berkeley community as a future leader

• Interest in exploring collaboration opportunities for large, multidisciplinary projects

• Evidence of leadership potential or experience

• Ability to bring out the best in those around them

We will strive to select a diverse group of faculty in terms of departments, academic disciplines, and levels of leadership experience.

Applicants will be notified by Monday, April 27, 2026 regarding their candidacy.

Questions should be directed to the program team at facultyleadership@berkeley.edu

Participation in the Faculty Leadership Academy will be considered as campus service and should be noted as such in future personnel cases.

Participants in the Faculty Leadership Academy offered the following reflections on the program:

• “My sense of loyalty and investment in the university has increased meaningfully, as well as my sense of connection and purpose to a ‘collective’ at Berkeley. I feel a great sense of appreciation for this experience. It is by far the best ‘campus’ experience I have ever had. It has been transformative in terms of my sense of purpose and leadership at this institution."
• "Thank you for everything. Looking back on the semester, I see FLA as a highlight of my year. It was a major commitment but it certainly elevated my understanding of what I can achieve at Berkeley. That I learned so much during this incredibly challenging year is a testament to the strengths of the program." 

• “During our feedback exercise, I heard some surprising things about myself that made me reflect on how I appear to others. I am more mindful now about this.”

• "I've become much more thoughtful about what good leadership is, and how to recognize it. I'm used to charismatic or technocratic leadership, and this type of meta-leadership style is new to me. It'll take time to process but I think I'm already a better colleague because of this."

• “I've become much more cognizant of the importance of listening, conveying a concise message, and "reading the room" to assess the dynamics of a group.”

• "I have become far more self-aware about how I exercise leadership. I am more confident about the leadership skills I have. I rethought the relationship between process and outcomes. I am more efficient at running meetings. The DEIB lens is front and center in my decision making as a leader."

• “Connecting faculty from a wide range of disciplines was fantastic, and an opportunity many of us don't usually have. This helped me see very distinctive approaches to problem solving, perspectives.”