- Overview
- Agenda
- Speakers
Workshop Series for New Managers - Fall 2025
When:
Online course - Canvas and Zoom - September 23, 2025 - November 21, 2025
Weekly synchronous webinar on Fridays at 2pm - the first meeting is Friday, October 3, 2025
The November 21st session will run from 2pm - 4pm EST
Workshop Organizer: NERCOMP
Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member: $725
Non-Member $900
The registration covers the full course and material
Event Overview
The curriculum is targeted at early-stage leaders: recently appointed or aspiring managers or supervisors. The program focuses on the practical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in management and leadership in higher education. Topics covered in the course include interpersonal communication skills, budget and finance, managing time, delegation, and managing up; project management; leadership modes, and performance management.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Evaluate common challenges faced by managers and strategies for addressing them
- Identify practical tools and techniques that can improve a manager’s effectiveness
- Explore strategies to develop and improve their capacity to lead
- Develop a high-level plan for ongoing professional growth and development
- Establish a trusted network of colleagues to support learning and reflection into the future
- Earn a credential
Participants should expect to participate regularly online during each week of the program. You must be able to commit up to five hours per week every week from September 23 - November 21. Each course week will include videos, discussions, graded assignments, small group, and full class meetings. Attendance in the weekly meetings is required.
Seats are limited; register now. Registration closes Friday, September 5th, or when class is full.
A committee will review applications, and you will be notified of your acceptance as soon as possible.
Please note: A hybrid version of this series is offered in the Spring, ending with two in-person days.
Registration for the Spring 2025 hybrid session is available here.
Registration for the Spring 2026 hybrid session will be available soon.
Accessibility
NERCOMP strives to make its online offerings and in-person workshops accessible to all registrants. Please contact us should you have an accessibility need. We've worked to provide resources that are accessible to as many people as possible, and if you encounter any issues while attending our events, please contact us at accessibility@nercomp.org or at 860-345-2081 to request assistance.
Registration Cancellation Policy:
By clicking on the "Register Now" button, you are indicating a commitment to attend and will be held responsible for the registration fee. Your fee can be refunded if you notify us of a cancellation at least 10 days before the event via email to nercomp@nercomp.org.
Event Disclaimer:
NERCOMP reserves the right to use any photographs or other mechanical recordings taken at NERCOMP events in promotional materials. No mechanical recordings of any kind may be used at NERCOMP events without the prior written consent of NERCOMP organizers and presenters. The views and opinions expressed at NERCOMP events do not necessarily reflect those of NERCOMP, nor does NERCOMP make any representation regarding the information presented at NERCOMP events.
Please note: The schedule of topics is subject to change
Event Schedule:
Program Agenda: September 23, 2025 - November 21, 2025
Note: Participants are required to attend a full-class meeting every Friday beginning at 2:00pm; see the details below.
Module Zero:
September 23rd - October 2nd - Introductions and Overview
Friday, October 3rd - Weekly Meeting 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module One:
October 3rd - October 9th - Module 1 – Interpersonal Communication and Delegation
Friday, October 10th - Weekly Meeting 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module Two:
October 10th - October 16th - Module 2 – Time Management
Friday, October 17th - Weekly Meeting 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module Three:
October 17th - October 23rd- Module 3 – Project Management
Friday, October 24th- Weekly Meeting - Friday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module Four:
October 24th - October 30th - Module 4 – Performance Management
Friday, October 31st- Weekly Meeting 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module Five:
October 31st - November 6th - Module 5 – Budget and Finance
Friday, November 7th- Weekly Meeting 2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern
Module Six:
November 7th- November 20th - Module 6 – Vision of Future Self
Friday, November 14th- NO MEETING
Friday, November 21st - Final Presentations 2:00pm - 4:00pm Eastern
Faculty: Frank Furnari
Frank has worked in Higher Ed IT since 1999 starting as a support technician and has moved up into different management positions. He has led Service Desk, Communication, Documentation, Training, and DEI functions in IT. During his tenure at BU, he’s helped manage three separate Exchange migrations and three Service Desk ticketing software implementations. He is a trained facilitator, Six Sigma Green Belt, and has earned several certifications including HDI Support Center Manager, Knowledge Centered Service (KCS), and ITIL, and PRINCE2. Frank holds a BA and MBA from BU. Frank has participated in and facilitated groups with The Boston Consortium for Higher Education, NERCOMP, and EDUCAUSE. In addition to his work in higher ed, Frank has volunteered with several area non-profits including service on the board of The Wellesley Players and on several committees at Trinity Church.
Faculty: Amber Vaill
Amber has served in leadership roles within private and public higher education institutions since 2007. She spent four years working at the executive leadership level; however, the majority of her experience, and her passion, falls in the educational technology area. Amber has led educational technology and online learning departments, created and led faculty development initiatives, managed an IT Help Desk and student-staffed Technology Support Center, and managed training and user support through two learning management system transitions. She has been actively involved in NERCOMP since 2011, serving on the Annual Conference program committee for many years and chairing the 2018 conference, and served on the NERCOMP Board of Trustees for four years. Before moving into higher education, Amber taught middle and high school for seven years.
Faculty: Colleen Wheeler
Colleen is a management consultant with expertise in leadership development, facilitation, and digital strategy. She creates programs and curricula that have been recognized and applied broadly at local, regional, national, and international levels.
True to her roots as a musician and teacher, she helps people reflect, play, and collaborate together—regardless of their location. Three programs she helped bring to life are: “Workshop Series for New Managers” to support early-stage leaders gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and thrive; “Susan Vogt Leadership Fellows Program” to build a living professional network that honors the work and spirit of a beloved colleague; and “Learning Organization Academy” to support library, IT, and other professionals wishing to transform their workplaces into vibrant learning organizations.
While serving on the Board of Trustees of NERCOMP (Northeast Regional Computing Program), Colleen oversaw professional development programming, membership outreach, and communications and created the organization’s unique caucus-based program of instructional workshops.
Colleen is a Frye Institute Fellow and a Klingenstein Summer Fellow (Teachers College Columbia University). A lifelong learner, she enjoys making art, poetry, gardens, food forests, and trombone music.