Experienced Academic Leadership Academy 

Fee and Anticipated Costs

Academy Participant fee for Scholars:

• US $2,250 - Sigma member rate
• US $3,500 - Non-member rate
  
  Payment of program fees will be due NO LATER than 17 March 2023

Additional expenses may include:
Travel to and from the in-person workshop in Indianapolis, IN
Hotel/lodging nights
Meals outside of scheduled programming 

Please note: The mentor does not pay a participation fee and is not required attend the in-person workshop.

Sources for Financial Assistance
The scholar is strongly encouraged to seek a shared financial commitment from their employing agency/organization/institution as part of their participation in the academy. Recommended resources for financial assistance are:

• Employers
• Civic organizations
• Hospital auxiliaries
• Government agencies
• Community and professional foundations
• Professional organizations, including Sigma chapters if a member

CANCELLATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS:

• All cancellations must be received in writing (letter or email).
• Cancellation of a registration received either via mail or electronically 30 days prior to the start of the academy will be refunded, minus a US $250 administrative fee.
• Refunds are processed by the method in which they were paid.
• No registration refunds will be issued for cancellations that are received or postmarked after the 30 days prior to the start of the academy.   
• It is the scholar/participants responsibility to cancel any hotel registrations or travel arrangements.
• Participants who fail to complete the assignments and expectations of the academy will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn. No refund will be granted, and participants will only be eligible for Nursing Continuing Professional Development credit hours for webinars attended and completed.

Applicants will be asked provide the following information when applying: 

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• Contact information
  • If applicant is a Sigma Member, the email provided should correspond to the membership account
  • The contact information, primarily email, will be used by Sigma Staff to communicate throughout the academy, with all participants
• Chosen Mentor information
  • If applicant has chosen a mentor for the academy, the chosen mentor's email information is necessary to complete the application for both scholar and mentor
  • If the applicant has NOT chosen a mentor, applicants will be able to indicate this on the application
• Sigma member ID number and chapter name (if applicable)
• Short essay addressing the scholar’s interest in learning, needs, and expectations for their development during the academy (maximum 250 words)
• Scholar's project idea or summary (if known)
• Scholar's institution endorsement letter from scholar’s healthcare institution or employment setting
• Scholar’s resume/CV 

Academy participation fee is due 17 March 2023.
Please see Fee and Anticipated Costs section above for more information. 

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Mentors will be contacted via email upon scholar acceptance and will be asked to provide the following information:

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• Mentor's contact information
  • If the Mentor is a Sigma Member, the email provided should correspond to the membership account
  • The contact information, primarily email, will be used by Sigma Staff to communicate throughout the academy with all participants
• Mentor biographical sketch
• Mentor’s headshot or photo
• Mentor’s resume/CV

There is no cost for Mentor participation

The academy is designed for experienced nursing faculty academics with 6 or more years of academic appointment.  

Scholar Criteria

Those interested in applying for the Experienced Academic Leadership Academy should meet the following specified criteria:

• Have at least 6 years of academic appointment
• Possess the potential to achieve higher levels of leadership in their institutions
• Possess an MSN or master’s degree or higher
• Able to speak, read, and write English proficiently
• Scholar must have a device with high-speed, video conferencing capabilities which meet technology requirements https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux

Mentor Criteria

Scholar applicants must select an experienced individual who is not their direct supervisor, has a letter of institutional endorsement, and who meets the following criteria:

• Minimum of master’s prepared
• Exhibits extensive leadership experience
• Demonstrates success as a mentor as evidenced by the accomplishments of prior mentees
• Ability to facilitate new networking opportunities and assist with navigating organization structure and culture
• Is able to listen and provide feedback to assist throughout the scholar’s leadership journey
• Mentor must have a device with high-speed, video conferencing capabilities which meet technology requirements https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux

NOTE: Sigma has resources available to assist the scholar in selecting a mentor. Please contact Brandy Bolen at brandy@sigmanursing.org for help locating a mentor. 

Sigma membership is not a requirement for participation in the academy as a mentor or scholar.

Institution Endorsement Letter

The scholar and mentor each require an institution endorsement letter from their employing agency/organization/institution. Scholar and mentor institution endorsement letters will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Recommendation for scholar/mentor participation in the Experienced Academic Leadership Academy
• Resource commitment (e.g. time, financial, etc.) for scholar’s participation in the Experienced Academic Leadership Academy
• Support for the attainment of the identified leadership project goals and commitment to sustain the implemented team project (time, resources, etc.)

If your support is coming from multiple sources, a letter from each employing agency/organization/institution should be written identifying the form of support they will provide.

1.  What if I haven’t been a formal leader in my organization? Should I still apply?
Yes. The most effective leaders in an organization are not always the “formal” leaders. Informal leaders who influence others because of their leadership capabilities are very important. Many more formal and informal nurse leaders are needed in local, national, and international settings to advance the healthcare interests and benefits of patients.   

2.  Where can I get an idea for a project?
Project ideas can come from colleagues, students, administrators, and people in your community.

• Listen for “What if…”, “Why can’t we…”, “I wish you would…”, and “Why don’t you…” conversation starters
• Professional journals
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Professional specialty organizations
• Local, national, and global events
• Current institutional improvement concerns or needs that are suitable for your project and personal leadership development

3.  I have an idea for a project but do not know if it will work and/or be supported by my institution. What should I do?
Talk to your supervisor and colleagues to see if they view the situation/need as you do. Once these individuals support your idea, ask them to advocate for you and arrange conversations with policy leaders of your institution. A flexible approach is important. Often, it becomes necessary to modify a project after the academy begins.

4.  How should I select a mentor?
The mentor should be someone who can provide guidance and feedback in a manner that allows the scholar to grow in his or her leadership capacity. Scholars should select an individual not currently employed at their institution. A senior leader, your Sigma chapter, or individuals from professional organizations could recommend a leadership mentor. If you are a Sigma member, you can visit the Career Mentoring and Coaching Program to complete a search for a mentor. Enroll in the program here.

5.  Should I interview mentor candidates?
If the scholar does not have a prior relationship with a mentor, it might be helpful to interview several possible candidates to determine whether there is a good fit between the mentor’s style and the scholars needs.

6.  What should I look for in a mentor?
The mentor should be someone who can provide the scholar with guidance and feedback in a manner that allows them to grow in his or her leadership development.

7.  Does my mentor have to be a nurse?
No. The academy encourages the scholars to develop interprofessional relationships. A mentor from another discipline can provide valuable opportunities for the scholar to develop collaborative relationships with other professionals involved in health and healthcare.

8.  Should I work with my mentor on my application and project summary?
The academy encourages scholars to work collaboratively with their mentors on both the application and the project summary.

9.  Should I work with my direct supervisor in the development of my application and project summary?
Yes. By involving a direct supervisor in the development of the application and project summary, they will gain an awareness of the time and support required for successful participation in the academy. This understanding and support must be reflected in the institutional letter of endorsement from the scholar’s agency/organization/institution (A/O/I).

10. I am interested in becoming a Sigma member. How do I apply?
Nursing professionals not previously inducted as nursing students can join Sigma as nurse leaders. Learn more.

Disclaimers

• All withdraw requests must come via written communication.
• Participant fee for the academy may be refunded until 30 days prior to the start of the academy and will be subject to withholding of the LPI/KP Assessment fee US $250. Refunds are processed by the method in which they were paid.
• 30 days prior to the start of the program, no refunds will be granted.
• Participants who fail to complete the assignments and expectations of the academy will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn. No refund will be granted, and participants will only be eligible for continuing nursing education for webinars attended.