Elevate Your Leadership Impact
The ASCEND Spartan Staff Leadership Program is an assigned 8-month cohort experience presented by the Case Western Reserve University Department of Human Resources Professional Development Center (HR-PDC) developed in partnership with Academic Impressions.
Created specifically for experienced Case Western Reserve University staff supervisors with at least 3 years of supervisory experience (at least 1 at CWRU), ASCEND provides practical, immediately applicable tools to help you move beyond daily task oversight and step into intentional, servant-based leadership. Participation in this program is by supervisor nomination and senior leadership approval (self-nominations are not accepted). Together with a cross-institutional cohort of peers, you will build a shared leadership language across campus to drive operational excellence and foster high-performing teams.
Important Dates
- Application Window Opens: November 13, 2026
- Nomination Deadline: December 9, 2026
- Cohort Announcement: December 16, 2026
- Program Begins: January 13, 2027
Submit the Online Nomination Form
Key Program Outcomes & Benefits
Through their journey in the ASCEND program, supervisors will unlock critical leadership frameworks and practical tools, empowering them to:
Recognize personal leadership styles and manage stress triggers using the Five Paths to Leadership® self-assessment.
Execute consistent, documented bi-directional feedback that delivers constructive, actionable, and empowering direction to direct reports.
Proactively guide career development conversations that align individual staff aspirations with university goals.
Identify the right solutions for performance development challenges while establishing clear, measurable team accountability structures.
Learn techniques to engage and support teams during organizational transitions while sustaining a positive workplace culture.
Build a collaborative peer network across academic and administrative units to break down institutional silos.
Program Structure, Schedule & Curriculum
The ASCEND experience runs from January through August 2027 and requires a total commitment of 26 hours:
- 8 Monthly Cohort Sessions: Interactive 2-hour learning modules held once a month (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm; the welcome session is 1 hour; the final session is 3 hours). Limited to 20–24 participants.
- Monthly Challenge Activities: 1 hour per month of peer-to-peer collaborative application between sessions.
| Session & Topic | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Orientation: Welcome Kick-Off & Orientation | Jan. 13, 2027 1:00–2:00 pm |
| Session 1: Empowered Leadership | Jan. 20, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 2: Understanding Your Leadership Strengths | Feb. 17, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 3: Leading from the Middle: Finding Agency in Your Leadership | Mar. 17, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 4: Finding the Right Solution for Employee Performance Gaps | Apr. 21, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 5: Your Role as Coach: Fostering Performance through Asking & Listening | May 19, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 6: The Secret to Great Feedback | Jun. 16, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 7: Engaging in Career Growth Conversations | Jul. 21, 2027 1:00–3:00 pm |
| Session 8: Engaging Your Team Through Change | Aug. 18, 2027 1:00–4:00 pm |
Contingency dates in the event of university closures due to weather/other conditions: April 7, 2027 and June 2, 2027.
Candidate Eligibility Criteria
Nominees must meet all of the following requirements:
- Current CWRU staff member in an official supervisory role.
- Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience (at least 1 at CWRU, excluding interim and temporary duties).
- "Successful" or higher rating on the most recent Annual Performance Review.
- In good standing with no Positive Corrective Actions in the past 12 months.
- Supervisor nomination and senior leadership approval (self-nominations are not accepted).
Nominate a Supervisor!
Do you supervise a candidate who meets the eligibility criteria and is ready to elevate their leadership? Help shape the future of leadership at Case Western Reserve University by sponsoring their nomination today.
Step 1
Double-check that your nominee meets all Candidate Eligibility Criteria.
Step 2
Did you get senior leadership approval? You will simply attest that you got it on the nomination form.
Step 3
Share with your nominee the schedule and attendance commitment. Participants may miss one session; the Kick-Off & Orientation and Session 8 are mandatory.
Step 4
Prepare the following statements to be reviewed by a Selection Committee:
Nominee Statement of Purpose | 1 Page
To be written by the nominee and given to the Nominator for submission.
Write a statement for the following: Describe how you cu rrently support the growth and development of the people you supervise, and what you hope to do differently or more intentionally as a result of this program. In what ways do you think building a shared leadership language and community with fellow supervisors across campus could impact your team and the broader campus culture?
“Pro Tips” for the Nominee:
- How do you empower your team members to make decisions for their team(s) and keep you informed?
- How do you establish clear communication expectations for new initiatives and effectively lead your team(s) through change?
- If you have previously participated in a professional development program, what areas were identified for your continued development?
Nominator Justification Statement | 1 Page
To be written by the Nominator.
Write a statement for the following: Please share your perspective on why you are nominating this supervisor, including how you have observed them leading their team and why you believe this program is the right next step in their development.
“Pro Tips” for the Nominator:
- How does the supervisor execute initiatives and priorities in a timely manner while maintaining healthy team relationships?
- How does the supervisor empower team members to make decisions at their level while the supervisor manages tasks?
- How does the supervisor prioritize urgent and priority projects for the team? (i.e., to prevent prioritization overload)?
- Does the supervisor communicate areas for improvement?
Submit the Online Nomination Form
Questions? Contact:
- Carolyn Washick, Executive Director, Strategic Workforce Planning, at cag16@case.edu
- Jeremy Lewis, Training & Development Manager, at jxl3234@case.edu