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Board Leadership Academy

  • The Board of Regents presents...
    The SCU Board Leadership Academy
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  • Program Introduction

    Are you interested in learning more about board service at Santa Clara University and the broader community? Calling all SCU alumni – this is your chance to participate in a new board training program sponsored by Santa Clara’s Board of Regents, a group of volunteers who provide special advice and support to the University’s President and Board of Trustees.

    The SCU Board Leadership Academy is a new training program tailored to empower and equip graduates for board service at SCU and beyond. Join us on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 3rd-5th, 2024, for an enriching three-day experience on our beautiful campus. The program's curriculum will cover a wide range of essential topics, including the history, roles, and responsibilities of boards at SCU, the distinction between advisory and governing boards, board member roles as ambassadors and fundraisers, and how to effectively promote oneself for board consideration. The pinnacle of the program will be a board match night, where you'll have the chance to interact with current advisory board members, SCU deans, and center directors. Forge meaningful connections and celebrate your journey with a closing dinner.

    The SCU Board of Regents is inviting applications for the second cohort of the SCU Board Leadership Academy. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to elevate your leadership potential and make a lasting impact in our community. Apply now and be a part of this distinguished group of trailblazers shaping the future of SCU and the broader community. Together, let’s build a bright future for SCU!

    SCU Board Leadership Academy 2025 Interest Form

Leadership Academy
  • October 3-5, 2024
    2024 Program Components

Day 1 - Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 - Parlors BC

Session 1 (4:15 pm – 6:15 pm): Mike Wallace (University Relations), Matthew Carnes (Mission & Ministry), and Raymond Plaza (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)

  • Introduction: Prospective board member orientation and introduction to the advisory and governing boards at Santa Clara University and our Jesuit educational tradition. This introduction will discuss the history, scope, diversity, significance, and responsibilities of the boards at SCU and our values and commitment to educating the whole person in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.

Catered Dinner for Participants (6:15 pm)

 

Day 2 - Friday, October 4th, 2024 - Williman Room

Breakfast (9:30 am - 10:00 am)

Session 2 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm): Don Heider (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics) and Ann Skeet (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics)

  • Board Roles and Responsibilities: This session will overview Silicon Valley’s Nonprofit Sector, as well as board roles and responsibilities – from governance basics to advisory roles and promising practices. Participants will learn more about the legal and ethical obligations of a governance or advisory board, roles and responsibilities of governance and advisory boards, the difference between the work of the board and the work of individual board members, the differences between board and staff functions and governance vs. management roles, assessing board culture, considerations for choosing a “good fit” organization, and promising practices of highly effective boards. Participants will also learn how to evaluate and contribute to ethical organizational cultures, and will leave with practical tips that will help new board members serve organizations more effectively.

Lunch and Free Time (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm)

Session 3 (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm): Guisselle Nuñez (Chief Marketing Officer at SFSU; SCU Board of Regents)

  • Personal Branding: Guisselle will focus this workshop on building your personal brand through social media and other traditional outlets. Subjects covered include: personal branding, identifying techniques to build your personal brand, applying personal branding techniques to enhance your career and nonprofit development.

Optional Dinner at the Hut (5:30 pm)

 

Day 3 - Saturday, October 5th, 2024 - Williman Room

Breakfast (9:30 am - 10:00 am)

Session 4 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm): Kay Sprinkel Grace (Principal at Transforming Philanthropy LLC)

  • Fundraising Responsibilities: This session will emphasize the fundamental stewardship responsibility of board members to ensure that the organization whose board they are serving on has the resources necessary to fulfill its mission. Emphasis will be on the responsibility of board members in the area of relationship building and fundraising. Kay Sprinkel Grace, author of The AAA Way to Fundraising Success, will present her concept that board members need to be “Ambassadors, Advocates, and/or Askers” for their nonprofit organization.

Lunch (12 pm – 1 pm)

Tour of SCDI Building (1 pm – 2 pm)

Session 5 (2:15 pm – 4:15 pm): SCU Board Members and Leadership

  • Advisory Board Panel and Small Group Discussions: Participants will hear from a panel of current SCU advisory board members and have an opportunity to ask questions about board service. The cohort will also be introduced to SCU deans, executive directors, and board members of SCU’s various advisory and governance boards, and engage in smaller group discussions led by SCU leaders and board members.

Break (4:15 pm – 4:30 pm)

Session 6 (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm reception, 5:30 dinner): SCU Board Members and Leadership

  • Board Match Reception and Closing Dinner: Participants will be invited to attend a board match reception with SCU leadership and board members to match prospective board member interests with the missions of SCU boards. Participants -who are allowed to bring their spouse or partner to the reception and dinner - are then invited to attend a closing celebration with SCU leadership and current advisory board members.

SCU Board Leadership Academy 2025 Interest Form

  • Now accepting applications...
    Applications Details

    Applicant Eligibility Requirements

    • Have a strong desire to gain a deep understanding of advisory roles and responsibilities of a board member
    • Be interested in learning about emerging board leadership trends and new practices
    • Be committed to participating in the mission of Santa Clara University
    • Be committed to learning about the governance and advisory boards at SCU
    • Have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree or have equivalent experience
    • Be interested in contributing to the university by contributing your time, talents, and treasure

     

    Application Timeline

    • The formal application for the academy will be sent via email in Summer 2024.
    • Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is 9/6.
    • If accepted into the academy, there is a nonrefundable tuition fee of $300 due by 9/10, in addition to a charitable donation to SCU (any area and amount of your choice). 
    • Three day sessions taking place in-person at Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. Thursday's session will be held in Parlors BC of the Benson Memorial Center while Friday's and Saturday's sessions will be held in the Williman Room of the Benson Memorial Center. 
    • The training will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 3-5, 2024, with the Thursday session scheduled for 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm; Friday's sessions scheduled for 9:30 am - 5:00 pm; and Saturday's sessions scheduled for 9:30 am - 5:30 pm.
    • Catered dinners follow the sessions on Thursday and Saturday. An optional group dinner will be made available on Friday at your own expense. Saturday's dinner is highly recommended - for the last dinner, guests are allowed to bring their spouse. 
    • All sessions must be attended to receive a certificate of completion for the program.
    • For further questions please contact Téo Sanico at tsanico@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4947.

     

    SCU Board Leadership Academy 2025 Interest Form