Emerging Leaders Program

Building Connections and Shaping Your Journey

August 12 | 1:00 PM Eastern

Kick off the program by getting to know your cohort and hearing directly from Emerging Leaders alumni about their experiences. Learn how they navigated the program, built meaningful relationships, and found their place within the SCUP community. This session will set the stage for your journey ahead and offer practical advice on how to get the most out of your Emerging Leaders experience.

Integrated Planning: Building a Shared Foundation

September 9 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

What does it take to practice integrated planning effectively in higher education? In this session, we’ll introduce SCUP’s approach to integrated planning, explore its hallmarks and key characteristics, and outline the core competencies planners need to succeed. Through a guided mini-workshop, you’ll reflect on your own strengths, identify areas for growth, and discuss personal challenges you’ve encountered in developing these skills. Together, we’ll build a shared foundation for the year ahead and surface themes that will help shape our collective learning journey.

Futuring in Higher Education: Anticipating What’s Next

October 14 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Higher education is continually evolving—are your plans ready for what’s next? In this session, we’ll explore futuring as a tool to anticipate change, think beyond the immediate, and prepare for multiple possible futures. You’ll learn how to apply foresight practices to your work, ask critical questions about emerging trends, and use scenario thinking to strengthen and future-proof your planning efforts.

Engaging Stakeholders: Connecting Community and Planning

November 11 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Effective planning starts with people. In this session, we’ll begin by exploring the deeper meaning of community—what it means to belong, connect, and take responsibility for the communities we’re part of. From there, we’ll shift to practical strategies for identifying key stakeholders, fostering authentic engagement, and building the buy-in needed to move plans forward. Together, we’ll examine how grounding your work in a sense of community can strengthen your approach to stakeholder engagement and integrated planning.

SCUP Planning Institute: Foundations

December 8–9 | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM Eastern

Engage in a two-day intensive workshop on SCUP’s Integrated Planning Model, tailored for higher education institutions. Attendance is mandatory for both days.

Leading Through Change: Practical Strategies for Emerging Leaders

January 13 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Change is constant in higher education—but leading it effectively requires both strategy and empathy. In this session, we’ll introduce core principles of change management tailored to higher ed, from understanding resistance to building momentum and sustaining progress. Through real-world examples and actionable frameworks, you’ll learn how to navigate change in ways that foster trust, align stakeholders, and keep your planning efforts on track—even in the face of uncertainty.

Connecting the Dots: Linking Planning to Institutional Priorities

February 10 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Planning doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether it’s accreditation, budgeting, or existing strategic plans, effective planning means understanding how your work connects to larger institutional priorities. In this session, we’ll explore how to align unit-level efforts with broader initiatives, add value to plans already in motion, and position yourself as a credible partner in the process. Learn practical strategies to navigate established plans, identify key connections, and ensure your contributions support your institution’s bigger picture goals.

Contingency Planning: Preparing for the Unexpected

March 10 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Disruption is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to derail your plans. In this session, you’ll be introduced to contingency planning as a practical tool for adapting quickly and minimizing disruption when circumstances change. Using SCUP’s Campus Contingency Planner, we’ll walk through a simple framework to anticipate potential shifts, identify key operational impacts, and make informed decisions under pressure. Through guided examples and discussion, you’ll gain strategies to respond with flexibility and confidence—whether you’re managing programs, services, or planning initiatives on your campus.

Tools for Action: Staying Organized and Moving Your Plan Forward

April 14 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Good ideas need structure to succeed. This session will introduce practical tools and resources to support effective planning—from project management platforms and planning templates to collaborative tech tools and digital workflows. Explore proven strategies for staying organized, tracking progress, and keeping your planning efforts moving forward. Whether you’re a spreadsheet pro or looking for new systems to try, you’ll leave with actionable tools and approaches you can put to work right away.

Engaging Your Team in Integrated Planning

May 12 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

Planning doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it takes a team. In this session, we’ll explore strategies for bringing people together around shared goals and fostering a sense of ownership in the planning process. You’ll also hear from an Emerging Leaders alum about how their institution successfully engaged stakeholders and built momentum for integrated planning on their campus.

Looking Ahead: Reflections, Celebration, and Next Steps

June 9 | 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Eastern

As the program comes to a close, this session offers space to reflect on your journey, share your experiences, and help shape the future of the Emerging Leaders program. Part celebration, part SCUP listening session, we’ll focus on what’s next: how to stay connected, continue your leadership development, and remain an active part of the SCUP community. This is your moment to share your voice, celebrate your growth, and plan your path forward.