Gain leadership insights and foster connections across the university system, elevating your leadership and driving success within CU.
The Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP) provides university leaders with an immersive understanding of CU's operations at the system and campus levels. Through monthly sessions, leadership panels and campus visits, participants gain insights into the collective and individual functions of each campus as well as the specific way leaders contribute to and lead their campus. ELP facilitates connections with colleagues, peers and senior leadership across the university system, fostering a broad network. Participants will gain a better understanding of the university context, thereby boosting leadership capabilities within roles and driving success within CU.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 ELP Award. Start the nomination process today.
Program objectives
- Gain greater understanding of all aspects of how CU functions as an organization.
- Cultivate a community among university leaders.
- Sharpen knowledge and insight to improve leadership capabilities within our diverse university environment.
Program highlights
- Staff and faculty participants provide diverse perspectives, creating a rich learning environment and fostering a community of CU leaders.
- Campus leadership panels are held at each CU campus and CU System, including conversations with the university president.
- Visit to the State Capitol to explore the connection between legislative advocacy and university objectives.
- Exclusive meetings for smaller campus cohorts to connect with participants and leaders from their own campuses.
View the current program schedule (PDF).
Current program
Program participants for the current year can access more specific program information. You will need to sign-in with your SSO to access the web page.
Program eligibility and nominations process
Program eligibility
- Must be in a staff or faculty role.
- High-potential and high-performing individuals, typically of the director level and above for staff, and associate professor and above for faculty.
- Nomination by senior management.
- Demonstrated interest in leadership.
- Desire to develop the skills and perspective of a successful leader.
- In a position that would benefit from a deeper understanding of how CU functions as an organization.
Nomination process
Each campus manages the nomination process for their campus. Typically, campus leadership is involved in nominating and selecting fellows.
Nomination and selection timelines vary by campus but are typically completed from February – May every year.
For more information about the nomination process and timeline for your campus, please email elp@cu.edu or visit a website below based on your campus and employment type:
Luncheon
The annual Excellence in Leadership Luncheon is attended by over 150 alumni and executive leaders. The event is a celebration of the completion of the current year’s ELP cohort and honors one alum with the Excellence in Leadership Award for their impact within the University of Colorado community.
Alumni
Contact us
The Excellence in Leadership Program is managed by the CU System Culture, Talent and Leadership Development team. If you have questions about the program, please email elp@cu.edu.
Kristin Turner
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Learning & Development
kristin.turner@cu.edu
Ashley Eschler
Program Director, Culture, Talent & Leadership Development
ashley.eschler@cu.edu
Rebecca Derr
Senior Talent Development Specialist
rebecca.derr@cu.edu