We invite you to nominate newly appointed Deans/Directors, Associate Deans/Directors, Assistant Deans/Directors, Program Leaders/Directors, Department Chairs/Heads and Center Directors. Additional consideration is given to aspiring leaders with great potential for success in statewide and high-level administrative positions, current, new, and aspiring research and Extension administrators. This intensive management “Boot Camp” has been created for those new to leadership positions within our Agricultural Experiment Stations and Cooperative Extension.

The 2026 NCR Boot Camp is being planned for July 28-30 in Bay City, Michigan.

Those who may find the Boot Camp useful include Assistant and Associate Deans/Directors, Program Leaders, Department Heads/Chairs and Center Directors. This unique experience will focus on building skills and confidence as effective managers within our Land-grant Universities.

Participants will have the opportunity to network and:

• engage with top administrators from agInnovation and CES in the North Central Region on their thoughts and advice of what it takes to lead, manage, and address key challenges in personnel and fiscal matters;
• build relationships with aspiring leaders while expanding their professional network;
• assess their own management and leadership skills, and what they can do to enhance those skill sets;
• learn how to create an environment of trust and positive organizational culture;
• enhance recruiting, and retaining talent in the context of inclusive excellence;
• learn strategies to ensure personal health and well-being;
• address challenges of extramural and intermural fund management;
• identify ways of managing financial resources; and
• a better understanding of the larger Land-grant network and advocating for our research and programs.

The North Central Region’s Management Boot Camp features distinguished administrators and professionals as instructors and facilitators in an informal and interactive setting. They

bring decades of experience with principles and practices that are necessary for administrative management success.

Nominated participants will comprise a cohort. Prior to the face-to-face session in July the cohort will engage in pre-event activities that may include conference calls, webinars, pre-work, self-study and self-assessment.

The in-person session will be conducted over three days (two overnights). We have attached an overview of the program. Previous bootcamp agendas and resources can be found at: https://www.nccea.org/nc-admin-boot-camps/

NCCEA and agNC Directors are asked to jointly identify TWO (total) individuals from their institution by May 8, 2026. [One from CES and one from agNC.]