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Academy Qualifications

Each year one-third of Washington State’s community and technical colleges are given a slot in the Washington State Executive Leadership Academy (WELA) for one of their exempt employees. Other colleges are welcome to submit applications for additional employees to participate in the program. All interested candidates are encouraged to work with their supervisors and to apply for admission into the program.

Washington Executive Leadership Academy applicants should be Washington State community and technical college employees with:

  • at least three years of experience at a mid or top-level administrative position such as division chair, dean, director or vice-president.
  • a record of successful leadership and management experiences that will be corroborated by senior administrators, faculty, and staff at their institution and in the system.
  • support from their president, with an institutional commitment to provide the time and financial resources required for the program.
  • education and experience that would allow them to successfully compete for the level of position sought.