Excellence in Leadership Program

Overview

The Excellence in Leadership Program (ELP), hosted by the CU System Employee Services Office, provides an annual cohort of faculty and staff leaders from the four CU System campuses and System office with an immersive understanding of the operations of the University of Colorado System institutions, insights into the work of senior leaders at each institution, and an expanded community of colleague leaders across CU institutions. This August–April program includes a two-day opening retreat in August; program days at each of the four CU campuses, the CU System office, and the State Capitol; and monthly dialogues between senior CU Boulder campus leaders and the CU Boulder ELP Fellows. CU Boulder has supported program participation by more than 200 faculty and staff since 2002.

Faculty Nomination Process

Faculty and staff nomination and selection processes are separate. Faculty are encouraged to indicate their interest in being nominated to their respective dean (faculty self-nominations are not accepted). 

Eligible faculty nominees in order of priority are CU Boulder full professors or teaching professors; associate professors and associate teaching/clinical professors will also be considered. Nominees should have formal current or upcoming leadership appointments. They should be situated by these leadership appointments to benefit from gaining an immersive understanding of the operations of the University of Colorado System institutions, insights into the work of senior leaders at each institution, and an expanded community of colleague leaders across CU institutions. 

Deans nominate faculty by February 6, 2026, in response to a direct call for nominations from Merinda McLure, Director of Faculty and Academic Leadership Development. Merinda McLure begins notifying selected faculty fellows and their deans by May 1, 2026.  

Program Commitment

Selected CU Boulder fellows make a significant time commitment to program participation from August through April. They participate in a full schedule of program days throughout the year (see for example the 2025–2026 schedule; dates vary annually), and in monthly conversations with senior CU Boulder leaders from September through April. 

Meet the ELP Alumni