- The Board of Regents presents...The SCU Board Leadership Academy
- 2023 October Cohort: A Resounding Success!
The inaugural SCU Board Leadership Academy, held on Friday-Saturday, October 6-7, 2023, witnessed an exceptional gathering of dedicated SCU alumni eager to deepen their understanding of board service and contribute to the Santa Clara University community. Over the course of two enriching days, participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower them for board service both at SCU and beyond.
The program's curriculum covered 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. Additionally, participants had the invaluable opportunity to interact with current advisory board members, SCU deans, and center directors during a board match night and dinner, forging connections that will help shape their future contributions.
With enthusiastic engagement and a commitment to the SCU mission, the 2023 October cohort set a high standard for future SCU Board Leadership Academy sessions. Their dedication to learning, networking, and aspiring to make a difference was truly inspiring.
Looking Ahead: Join Us for the Next Leadership Program in Fall 2024!
Due to the success of our inaugural program, we are excited to announce that the SCU Board Leadership Academy will return in Fall 2024 for another transformative experience. Don't miss this chance to deepen your understanding of board service, strengthen your leadership skills, and connect with a diverse and passionate community.
If you're interested in being part of the next cohort, we invite you to express your interest by filling out our SCU Board Leadership Academy Interest Form. Stay tuned and check your email for more updates and details on the application process for the October 2024 session. Together, let's continue to build a bright future for SCU and beyond!
- October 3-5, 20242024 Program Components
Day 1 - Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 - Parlors BC
Session 1 (4:15 pm – 6:15 pm): Mike Wallace (University Relations), Alison Benders (Mission & Ministry), and Shá Duncan Smith (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.
Optional Dinner at the Hut (6:30 pm)
Day 2 - Friday, October 4th, 2024 - Williman Room
Coffee (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.
Catered Dinner for Participants (6:30 pm)
Day 3 - Saturday, October 5th, 2024 - Williman Room
Coffee (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 one guest to the dinner - are then invited to attend a closing celebration with SCU leadership and current advisory board members.
- Now accepting applications...Application 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
Certification Requirements
- The formal application for the academy will be sent via email in Summer 2024.
- The application deadline is no later than 5:00 pm on September 6th, 2024. For further questions please contact Téo Sanico at tsanico@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4947.
- If accepted into the academy, there is a nonrefundable tuition fee of $300 due by 9/24, 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 Friday and Saturday. An optional group dinner will be available on Thursday 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.