Leadership Academy

Leadership skills are critical to every organization. In the academic realm, there are many opportunities for leadership in clinical, education, and research. The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is committed to developing the next generation of leaders in the field of cancer who will advance our center’s goals and represent the center institutionally and nationally.

The Leadership Academy seeks to identify, select, and train cancer center members to become future leaders at the center and in the field of oncology; to provide leadership skills, training, and an orientation to the structures and programs of the cancer center; and to develop skills and experience in strategic planning and problem solving centered on key issues at the cancer center.

During this yearlong program, participants are expected to learn valuable leadership skills, gain exposure to the roles and mission of the cancer center, and learn about the center’s role in decreasing the burden of cancer within Indiana and beyond its borders. This program intends to develop future leaders at the cancer center, the IU School of Medicine, and national and international cancer organizations.

• Contact information
• Curriculum vitae and NIH biosketch
• Personal statement of interest with an emphasis on assessment of mentee’s leadership experience, skills, and how this program may help advance their academic career (two-page maximum)
• Letter of support from senior leader, research program leader, or another full member of the cancer center
• Additional email from supervisor (500-word maximum) with confirmation of support and that it is permissible for the candidate to participate (and if needed, cover time)

All applications for the program will be reviewed, and the cancer center Leadership Council will give final approval. The council reserves the right to evaluate and determine applicants’ eligibility based on the information and justifications in the application materials.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a cancer center Full,  Associate, Research, or Clinical track member.
• Applicants in a current leadership role of the center are eligible.

The cancer center will consider extending an eligibility exception for a new child, personal or family illness, or other compelling interruptions in professional development that impacted a candidate’s ability to apply for or participate in the Leadership Academy.

Candidates who wish to request an eligibility extension should submit their rationale in writing to Drs. Laura Vater and Patrick Loehrer. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Hyndman at rhyndman@iu.edu.

Eight to 10 participants are accepted into the annual program and are expected to actively participate in monthly in-person meetings. If participants are unable to attend in-person, there are Zoom options available, unless previously determined to be in-person only. Prior to initiation of the program, a short survey will be sent to participants to determine areas of highest interest. Adaptation and modifications are to be expected. In addition to the leadership and communication skills training, the participants will be assigned to two or more groups to work on strategic planning for key project areas (to be decided by the Leadership Council).