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Management Practices

Managers | Directors | Program Administrators | Chairs | Academic Directors | Associate Deans | Vice-Deans | Deans | Associate Vice-Presidents

Management Practices focus on the leadership impacts of various institutional systems and processes specific to Mount Royal, including those mandated by the Collective Agreement. Aligning with the University's strategic priorities, this program will address key topics and current issues facing leaders in Academic Affairs, grow leadership, and cultivate leadership conversations. 

This is an ongoing program and is co-facilitated by the Office of Faculty Relations and various academic leaders.

Program details

• Two or three sessions per semester.
• Each session is two hours in length.
• All sessions are held in person on campus. Hybrid/remote participation is not available.
• All sessions are optional to attend.

  

2025-2026 Sessions

Understanding Conflict of Interest

Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 – 10:00 to 11:50 am

Shelley and Leah will facilitate an interactive discussion on common scenarios that might present a real or perceived conflict of interest (COI) which academic leaders are presented with and expected to navigate. We will use a variety of scenarios to unpack the complexities of COIs. The intention is to walk away from this conversation with an increased recognition about what constitutes a COI, how to navigate conversations about COIs, and strategies to use when faced with a potential COI.

Facilitated by: 
Shelley Rathie, Associate Vice-President, Faculty Relations
Leah Hamilton, Vice-Dean, Research and Community Relations, Faculty of Business, Communication Studies, and Aviation

Calendar invitations from the Office of Faculty Relations will be distributed to the Academic Affairs Leadership Group one month prior to each session.

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MRULeads

Current and aspiring leaders in the University

 

The MRULeads program is governed by a cross-divisional committee co-chaired by the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the Associate Vice-President, Faculty Relations, and the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources. Faculty Relations and Human Resources will co-facilitate MRULeads courses with the assistance of various university leaders.

The first cohort of MRULeads was formed in Winter 2025 with 18 faculty members. The program was well-received and the feedback provided has helped us redesign the format making the program more convenient and accessible. Participants will be able to register for focused and specific learning modules (when scheduled) rather than having to make a commitment for a longer module of multiple topics.

The new program structure is based on the 5 pillars of leadership below and will be offered over a period of 3 years.

Leadership Pillar	Pillar #1: Embody Leadership Presence	Pillar #2: Engage Today's Talent	Pillar #3: Make Things Happen	Pillar #4: Create an Impact	Pillar #5: Create a Compelling Future
Learning Modules	Emotional Intelligence Confidence and Self-Awareness Integrity and Ethics Energy and Passion	Leading to Influence Leading through Conflict Leading by Listening Deverloping your People Skills	Results Orientation Accountability and Ownership Systems Thinking Organizational Resilience	Innovation and Change Management Ethical Decision Making Complex Problem Solving Systems Thinking	Strategic Vision, Thinking and Forethought University Governance Organizational Culture and Competence Strategic Networks
Scheduled Offerings	Fall 2025	Winter 2026	Fall 2026	Winter 2027	Fall 2028

 

Program details

• Each learning module includes suggested reading materials, 1 hr of individual leadership coaching (if desired), and a guided self-reflection. It is recommended that 6-8 hours be invested on each topic to maximize the learning opportunity.
• Each learning module is covered in 2 consecutive sessions in one month. The first session is the 2-hour facilitated learning and the second session (optional) is for informal discussion.
• All courses are held in person on campus. Hybrid/remote participation is not available.

• Session dates are scheduled according to cohort availability. 

 

2025-2026 Sessions

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence is crucial for leaders as it directly impacts their ability to effectively navigate, motivate, and inspire teams. Emotional Intelligence is often considered a more significant predictor of leadership success than technical skills or traditional intelligence (IQ).

This session will equip participants with a foundational understanding of emotional intelligence and provide practical techniques to improve their emotional intelligence. 

October 2025

  

Integrity and Ethics

Integrity and ethics are the moral compass of a leader, and they form the bedrock of a strong leadership presence. Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It's about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Ethics are the moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. They are the rules or standards that guide decisions and actions.  

Ethical behavior is an outward manifestation of a person's integrity.

This session will equip participants with a foundational understanding of the tenets of integrity and ethics and provide an opportunity for them to examine their own integrity & ethics.

November 2025

 

Confidence and Self-Awareness

Confidence is the foundation of leadership presence. It's a leader's belief in their own abilities, which in turn inspires trust and confidence in others. When a leader is self-assured, they project an image of stability and control, particularly in high-pressure situations. This isn't about arrogance; it's about a calm certainty that allows a leader to make decisions, communicate clearly, and remain composed under stress.  

This session will equip participants with a foundational understanding of the elements of leadership presence and provide them with practical techniques to begin cultivating it.

December 2025

 

Energy and Passion

Energy and passion are the dynamic forces that transform a leader's presence from merely competent to genuinely inspiring. They are not just personal traits, but observable qualities that enhance a leader's ability to influence and motivate. Energy in a leadership context goes beyond physical vitality. It’s the sum of a leader's physical, mental, and emotional states. Passion is a deep, sustained commitment to a purpose. It is the "why" behind a leader's actions. Unlike fleeting enthusiasm, passion is a long-term fuel source that is both deeply personal and highly contagious.

This session will equip leaders with practical strategies to cultivate and sustain personal energy, manage stress, and inspire a high-energy, positive environment within their teams.

January 2026

To register for the MRULeads program, please contact the Office of Faculty Relations via facultyrelations@mtroyal.ca.

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CADA Support Program

Chairs | Academic Directors

The Chairs and Academic Directors Assembly (CADA) Support Program equips Chairs and Academic Directors with the technical skills required for their roles while providing mentorship and support for their various duties.

Sessions typically run monthly and include:

• Welcome session for CADA members 
  This is a welcome and orientation session in August for CADA members, with food and coffee provided.
• CADA Support workshop sessions
  These workshop sessions focus on key topics and issues facing Chairs and Academic Directors.
• CADA drop-in coffee sessions
  These informal drop-in sessions provide CADA members and opportunity to chat and connect. Coffee and refreshments are provided.

The CADA Support Program is facilitated by the Assembly Support Program Coordinator and supported by the Office of Faculty Relations.

All sessions are optional to attend and are held in person. Hybrid remote participation is not available.

Calendar invitations to Chairs and Academic Directors are arranged by the Assembly Support Coordinator.

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Strategic Academic Leadership

University Strategic Council

Strategic Academic Leadership is a forum for senior leaders in the university to champion initiatives flowing from the University Strategic Plan. This new program is designed to provide senior leaders at Mount Royal an opportunity to further build cross-departmental relationships, cultivate a welcoming and equitable organizational culture, and address key topics and current issues they are facing. Sessions will be organized through the Office of Faculty Relations with guidance from the President's Office.

 

2025-2026 Sessions

"Hope Circuits" by Dr. Jessica Riddell

Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025 – 9:00 to 11:30 am

Dr. Jessica Riddell, author of "Hope Circuits," will be joining the University Strategic Council and Vice Deans to guide them through the "5 modes" institutions experience, followed by an interactive workshop and discussion.

Facilitated by: 
Dr. Jessica Riddell, Founder of Hope Circuits Institute, 3M National Teaching Fellow, and Professor of English, Bishop's University, Quebec, Canada

Calendar invitations to University Strategic Council members are arranged by the Office of Faculty Relations, in collaboration with the President's Office.

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