TALA Information

The Texas Academic Leadership Academy (TALA) is a year-long, intensive leadership experience aimed at developing aspiring academic leaders’ leadership skills with the support of the Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers (TCCAO) and Sam Houston State University. With a focus on the specific issues Texas higher education institutions face, TALA also addresses many of the goals laid out by the 60x30TX Strategic Plan and individual institutions. TALA Fellows are guided by senior academic leaders, leadership experts, and mentors through an intensive, catered experience.

By participating in TALA, institutions will develop a group of aspiring leaders who have enhanced their abilities to respond to the complex issues facing higher education institutions today. TALA Fellows will grow into academic leaders and respond to unique situations readily and effectively. Moreover, mentors will also enhance their capacity to give advice and support others around them.

Finally, TALA will connect fellows, mentors, and institutional leaders with discourses surrounding strategic initiatives. Topics covered by TALA are drawn from research conducted with senior institutional leaders, including finance of higher education, leadership styles, conflict management, free speech, faculty concerns, research, assessment, accreditation, and strategic planning. The final face-to-face session of the academy will be a Summit, connecting Fellows with THECB leaders and state policymakers.