Staff LEAD Program

This program is for staff employees that meet the following requirements: 

• Full-time employed by TWU Denton, TWU Dallas, or TWU Houston
• Has occupied their current position for at least 6 months
• Is in good standing with the university

Participants can be from any department and are eligible to apply regardless of job title or level of experience. 

Application Process:

Participants will be asked to complete a program application and a supervisor consent form in order to be formally considered. Space is limited in this program, and only eligible employees will be considered against our rubric for acceptance. 

It is important to note that not every person that applies will be asked to join the current cohort, but not being accepted in one year does not prohibit or weaken your chances in a subsequent year. 

Expected Time Commitment

This program will run approximately 24-weeks starting on June 1, 2026 and ending on November 13, 2026. 

• Flexibility: Staff LEAD is intentionally designed to be manageable alongside regular work responsibilities.

• Self-Paced: Many components can be completed at times that work best for the participant and their department.

Required In-Person Seminars Participants must attend six morning seminars held from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the following dates:

• June 5th from  
• July 10th from 
• August 7th from  
• September 4th 
• October 2nd 
• October 30th 

Each seminar is four hours in length. In the weeks when a seminar is not scheduled, participants can expect a lighter commitment of approximately 2–3 hours. These activities are flexible and may be completed at times that best fit the participant’s schedule.

For supervisors:

Staff LEAD is structured to integrate with employees’ existing roles and responsibilities. Participation supports skill development that directly benefits day-to-day work, collaboration across campus, and institutional effectiveness. Supervisors are encouraged to support participation as a strategic investment in employee growth and leadership capacity.

Program Features

Participants will learn, discover, connect, and apply their skills across several modalities, including: 

• Monthly skill development and coaching seminars 
• Peer-based community of practice
• Action learning project for institutional improvement
• Self-assessments in leadership strengths and emotional intelligence
• Professional Portfolio to showcase achievements and growth

Participants in Staff LEAD experience focused, applied leadership development with benefits that extend well beyond the program itself:

• Strengthened leadership skills
  Develop and refine critical leadership competencies, including communication, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and collaboration, through structured practice and real-world application.

• A community of practice–oriented leaders
  Build rapport and lasting professional relationships with colleagues across departments and divisions, forming a cross-campus network grounded in shared learning, reflection, and leadership practice.

• A robust leadership portfolio
  Create a curated portfolio that highlights applied projects, learning artifacts, and demonstrated growth, providing tangible evidence of leadership capability, impact, and readiness for future opportunities.

• Exposure to expert perspectives and applied leadership experiences
  Engage with guest speakers and TWU leaders, as you complete a capstone project focused on institutional improvement; connecting theory, practice, and organizational impact.

Participants finish the program prepared to serve as change agents and collaborative partners, equipped with the strategic and interpersonal competencies needed to identify, research, and facilitate solutions that address institutional challenges and needs. 

Participant Application

Participant Application Form

The application is available from March 16th - March 31st. 

Supervisor Consent

Supervisor Consent Form 

The supervisor consent form is available from March 16th - March 31st.