The LFM Academy Experience

The Leading from the Middle Academy (LFM Academy) is designed to support meaningful leadership development through a sustained leadership journey rather than a series of isolated events. This page provides practical details about how the Academy unfolds, the time commitment involved, and program expectations to help colleges and teams determine whether the Academy is a good fit for their leadership goals and campus context.

Embedded Coaching

Each team is supported by an experienced LFM coach across the full 15 months. Coaching includes virtual sessions, participation in in-person convenings, and on-campus site visits, providing continuity, context, and reflective support as teams navigate real campus challenges.
Group shot of 13 LFM team members in a garden.

Collective Learning

Virtual Kickoff
Participants are welcomed into the LFM community, introduced to the purpose and design of the Academy, and begin building relationships with cohort peers across colleges.

In-Person Convening 1: Laying the Foundation (2.5 days)
Teams gather in a retreat-like setting away from their campuses to build trust across roles, ground the work in shared purpose, and engage in deep, collaborative learning.

Ongoing Learning and Monthly Coaching
Between convenings, teams engage in virtual learning, applied practice, and coaching that supports reflection, adaptation, and progress in real campus contexts.

In-Person Convening 2: Strengthening strategy and systems thinking (2.5 days)
Teams deepen collaboration, apply leadership and planning tools to real campus challenges, and strengthen collective leadership practice.

In-Person Convening 3: Sustaining momentum and leading through complexity (2.5 days)
Teams focus on sustaining momentum, strengthening leadership capacity, and preparing to carry their work forward beyond the Academy.

Sustainability Planning 
With support from their coach, teams plan for sustaining both leadership growth and project momentum after the conclusion of the Academy.

Virtual Celebration of Learning
The cohort comes together to share insights about individual and collective leadership, reflect on growth, and honor progress across teams.

Time Commitment

While the time commitment will vary for each team, the following are general expectations for participation:

  • Participation over the full 15-month period
  • Attendance at three 2.5-day in-person convenings, as well as virtual sessions
  • Regular team collaboration outside the Academy sessions to further the project work
  • Ongoing coaching throughout the Academy, including monthly conversations and occasional on-campus site visits

Team Composition

Each participating college will form a six-member, cross-functional team. While teams vary, we strongly encourage colleges to include a combination of the following positions:

  • Tenured and adjunct academic and counseling faculty
  • Classified professionals
  • Mid-level administrators
  • Program directors, coordinators, or project leads
  • Institutional researchers
LFM participants working in groups.

Cross-role participation strengthens shared leadership and supports more sustainable, system-aware change.

College-Based Projects

Each team advances a college-based initiative aligned with institutional and state-wide priorities that advance student success.

Projects are used as a learning vehicle, allowing teams to

  • Apply leadership tools and concepts;
  • Practice collaboration and communication across roles;
  • Use data and evidence to inform decisions; and
  • Navigate complexity, resistance, and institutional culture.
LFM_Academy_projectExample

The focus is on learning. The Academy creates space to reflect, adapt, and make progress toward work that can be sustained over time.

Explore College Projects

Is the Academy Right for Your College?

If you’re considering participation, we encourage you to review the expectations above and contact Ireri Valenzuela with any questions about fit, timing, or team readiness.

Stay tuned!
Applications will open in March.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply for the LFM Academy

Apply with your college team
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