The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) is pleased to announce that it will partner again with Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative (MVNC) to present a new iteration of the SOCHE Leadership Development Program for the 2026-2027 school year.

This special 6-session hybrid, interactive program is designed to develop leadership skills in new or experienced front-line higher education personnel who supervise other staff members. Individual contributors seeking advancement into management roles will find this program helpful in developing the skills required for effective leadership within their organizations.

At each workshop, participants will receive tools, resources and templates that can be readily applied back in their organizations. All workshops are presented by leadership development experts, sourced by MVNC. A full leadership development improvement plan is provided at the end of the program, along with resources to support participants’ ongoing growth.

The registration fee ($175 for personnel from SOCHE member schools, $225 for personnel from non-member schools) includes cost of a Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment; course materials; a personalized leadership development plan; three interactive virtual workshops; and three in-person sessions with lunch, learning, and networking time.

Learners will need to participate in five of the six training sessions to earn their SOCHE Leadership Development Program certificate. Attendance will be tracked for all sessions. Additionally, during virtual sessions, all learners will be required to keep cameras on and to participate in the discussions and class activities.

Program registration will open on Monday, Aug. 3, and will close on Monday, Aug. 31, or when the program fills, whichever occurs first. Registration changes or cancellations will be accepted through Monday, Aug. 24. Refunds cannot be issued after this date.

Space is limited, so if you’re interested in advancing your higher education career, early registration is recommended.

Contact Mindy Claggett (mindy.claggett@soche.org) with any questions.

2026-27 SOCHE Leadership Development Program Schedule

[IN PERSON] Friday, Oct. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Indiana Wesleyan Dayton Conference Center (2912 Springboro West Rd.)
Includes lunch and networking time
Session #1: Self-Awareness Starts with Strengths – The Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment is one of the most widely used tools for individual development and teambuilding in the world. In this highly interactive kick-off session, Lindsay Pitstick, M.Ed., certified Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach, will introduce participants to the language of CliftonStrengths and begin exploring their unique Top 5 themes for greater self-awareness and practical insights into how to intentionally apply their strengths in work and life.

[Virtual] Friday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET | SOCHE Zoom

Session #2: Communicating for Clarity & Connection – Building on the foundations of the first session, we’ll dive into common strengths-based clashes, uncover patterns that can cause misunderstanding, and identify strategies for bridging differences. Through discussion and activities, participants will practice applying a strengths lens to everyday conversations, learn to recognize both the intention and impact of their communication, and leave with practical tools to enhance collaboration within the cohort and beyond.

[IN PERSON] Friday, Dec. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Indiana Wesleyan Dayton Conference Center (2912 Springboro West Rd.)
Includes lunch and networking time
Session #3: Managing Conflict with Confidence – Conflict management is a process that allows people to explore and understand their differences and use them to interact in a more positive, productive way. Facilitators with Sinclair’s Workforce Development lead participants through their primary approach to handling conflict, and when to use conflict resolution strategies to improve the chances of achieving a positive outcome.

[Virtual] Friday, Feb. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET | SOCHE Zoom

Session #4: Building Rapport & Setting Expectations – Tara McCafferty, SPHR, from SoFo Solution Focused HR, LLC, will share approaches for supervisors to effectively establish rapport with employees, set and clarify performance expectations, and coach to get performance back on track when needed.

[Virtual] Friday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET | SOCHE Zoom

Session #5: Coaching & Giving Feedback – Tara McCafferty, SPHR, from SoFo Solution Focused HR, LLC, will take participants through how to and then get an employee back on track if expectations are not met. Attendees will practice and receive a handout on the Four-Step model to giving performance feedback.

[IN PERSON] Friday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

Indiana Wesleyan Dayton Conference Center (2912 Springboro West Rd.)
Includes lunch, networking time, and certificate presentation
Session #6: Leadership Development Plan – To wrap up our program and give participants an action plan to continue their development, Jenny Warner, Executive Director of the Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative, and Lindsay Pitstick, certified Strengths Coach from Moxie by Nature, will help attendees build their own leadership profile of their strengths, values, and accomplishments, as well as an area on which to focus their ongoing development.