Course Overview
Pathways to Academic Leadership is an eight-month course designed for mid-career faculty who demonstrate strong potential for assuming leadership positions in one or more missions of academic medicine. The course will encourage its graduates to pursue the full range of roles that offer opportunities for leadership across Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, and beyond. The program's goals are to strengthen the network among faculty members, enhance leadership skills and career development, and empower faculty to assume and excel in academic leadership positions.
Topics
The topics and speakers have been carefully curated by SOM leadership. Each speaker has a distinctive set of experiences and wisdom and will address issues that are meaningful to leaders in academia. This course will include sessions on such topics as communication styles, organizational change, fiscal responsibility, conflict management, and pathways to leadership.
Time Commitment and Structure
The course encompasses eight (8) three to four (3-4) hour in-person sessions to be held from 1 pm to 4 or 5 pm on Friday afternoons from October 2025 to May 2026. Faculty accepted into the program are expected to attend all sessions.
A minimal amount of additional time will be required to complete course-related work. Participants will be paired with a coach and assigned to a learning community for the duration of the program.
Participants are encouraged to meet with their assigned coach four times over the 8-month duration of the program. In addition, there will be four one-hour required learning community meetings, all of which will occur during extended class time.
Dates for the 2025 -2026 course are:
- October 10
- November 7
- December 5
- January 9
- February 6
- March 6
- April 17
- May 1
Eligibility
- Emory School of Medicine faculty members at the ranks of senior assistant professor, associate professor, or recently promoted professor who demonstrate a strong potential for assuming leadership positions and an inclination to lead in academic medicine.
- Candidates must be supported by their Department Chair or Division Director with commitment to dedicated time allocated to this program.
How to Apply
All interested and eligible candidates must submit an online application form and CV and must be supported by their Department Chair or Division Director. Candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss their interest with their leaders prior to completing the application. Applications are due July 8, 2025.
The application packet consists of two parts:
- Candidate information
- Candidate questions and responses
- Candidate curriculum vita in the SOM template
- Supporting leader information (name, email, department)
Once the above steps are completed, the Department Chair or Division Director will receive an automated request to complete their portion of the application.
- Leader Support Form
- Commitment to providing time away for participation
- Leader’s statement of support
Selection Process
All application packets will be reviewed by a selection committee of senior leaders who will choose the 2025 cohort. There is no limit to the number of nominations from a department, but final selections will be made to ensure broad representation across the School of Medicine and will be limited to a maximum of 20 individuals. Candidates will be notified by August 1, 2025.
Please contact Dominique Thiers-Schmidt with questions.
Course Directors Information
Professor of Psychology, Emory University School of Medicine
Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director of Wellness, Resilience, and Flourishing Emory@Grady Dean’s Office
Chief Psychologist, Grady Health System
Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Vice Chair, Faculty Development
Medical Director, Family Planning and Teen Clinic, Grady Health System
Director, Jane Fonda Center
