Leadership Excellence for Administrative Professionals (LEAP)

Overview

The Leadership Excellence for Administrative Professionals (LEAP) Academy is a 12-session, online leadership development experience created specifically for individuals in administrative and support roles. Modern administrative professionals play a critical role in organizational effectiveness – exercising influence, judgment, and leadership without formal authority.

The LEAP Academy is designed to help participants grow as leaders by enhancing self-awareness, communication, problem-solving, and systems thinking, while building the skills needed to navigate complexity, support teams, and deliver sustainable results.

It is offered online in fall 2026 and spring 2027 on Wednesdays from 9:00 am-12:00 pm EST. Participation in the program involves some prior reading and completion of occasional pre-work, as well as attendance at all sessions.

The LEAP Academy is offered by the UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Session Dates and Topics

Block 1: Leadership Foundations and Self-Management

• September 23: Leading at all Levels
• October 7: Adaptive Organizational Change
• October 21: Self-Awareness, Behavioral Style & Leadership Impact (DRiV assessment)

Block 2: Building Interpersonal & Inclusive Leadership Skills

• November 4: Advanced Strategic Communication Skills
• November 18: Conflict Management and Difficult Conversations 
• December 2: Generational Dynamics in the Workplace

Block 3: Working in Complex Systems

• January 20: Building and Supporting Effective Teams
• February 3: Workload, Time & Project Management in Complex Roles
• February 17: AI Essentials: Tools, Ethics, and Everyday Impact

Block 4: Leading with Purpose and Sustainability

• March 3: Ethical Influence and Responsible Decision-Making
• March 17: Stress Management, Resilience, and Sustainable Leadership
• March 31: Career Sustainability and Professional Purpose (Closing Reflection)

Cost

The cost of the full program is $2000. For any organization registering 5 or more employees, please contact Mary Hall (mth8n@virginia.edu) for a code to access the group rate. Registration must be completed by July 1, 2026. 

What to Expect

Online Sessions: Participation includes attending three-hour online live sessions to engage with the topic, facilitator, and the cohort. We understand life is busy, so you can notify the Program Manager if you need to miss a session. Participants may miss up to two sessions and still receive a digital badge.

Assignments: Some sessions require pre-work, including brief readings, videos, and assessments. Please complete all pre-work before the session where it will be discussed. 

Build your Network: Expand your professional network through engagement with peers in your cohort. Live sessions feature interactive exercises to help you get to know your cohort and deepen your connections.

Earn a Digital Badge: Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a digital badge as proof of their skills. Digital badges are a great way to show your verified skill development. 

Learn More 

To learn more about the LEAP Academy, please contact Mary Hall, Program Manager, mth8n@virginia.edu.