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What is the Workforce Deans Academy?

Workforce Deans Academy

The Workforce Deans Academy (WDA) is a year long training for community and technical college employees that are aspiring to higher-level workforce leadership positions. The WDA is designed to provide individuals with a solid understanding of the core elements of leadership—as well as offer specific training to build the skills required to effectively manage workforce and professional programs in Washington’s community and technical college system.

Operating in a cohort model, the WDA training is ideal for faculty and staff, whose career plans include workforce administration at the dean level and beyond. For example, Angel Reyna, vice president of instruction at Renton Technical College, says that the Academy provided her with the foundation to go from serving as a workforce director to being an effective dean and vice president.

Building the Next Generation

Since its first cohort in 2005, the Workforce Deans Academy has prepared the next generation of workforce professionals in higher education institutions.

“The Academy gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and push myself to be a better leader.””
— Loyal Allen, Jr., Director of Workforce Education Services, Highline College

The Academy is guided by an advisory board of deans, vice presidents, and leaders from Washington’s community and technical college system, and administered by the Center of Excellence for Careers in Education.

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Academy Objectives

Based on its values, the Workforce Deans Academy has the following three core objectives:

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Equity in Leadership

The WDA strives to develop equity-minded leaders with the practical knowledge and skills to support quality workforce education as well as workforce development across the community and technical college system.

 
 
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Connecting Leaders

Valuing community, the WDA seeks to build a network among workforce leaders that will support continued collaboration and systemic change.

 
 
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Meaningful Dialogue

The WDA fosters an environment that supports meaningful, open, respectful, and courageous conversation and learning.

 

Learn more

For more information on the curriculum, learning outcomes, academy structure or fees visit www.workforcedeansacademy.org