- Overview
- Agenda
- Faculty
- Lodging
Workshop Series for New Managers - Hybrid Course
We are pleased to offer the Workshop Series for New Managers as a hybrid course (mix of online and face-to-face sessions).
When:
Online course - Friday, January 30, 2026 - Friday, March 20, 2026
Weekly synchronous webinar on Fridays at 2 pm - the first meeting is Friday, February 6, 2026
In-person session - Tuesday, March 24 - Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood, MA.
The March In-Person meeting will take place at:
Four Points by Sheraton
1125 Boston Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA 02062
Information and Directions
Workshop Organizer: NERCOMP
Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member:
Early-bird rate through 12/19/25: $975 (savings of $100)
Member rate after 12/19/25: $1,075
Non-Member
Early-bird rate through 12/19/25: $1,175 (savings of $100)
Non-Member rate after 12/19/25: $1,275
The registration covers the six online modules, all online meetings, and all course material. In-person session includes am & pm breaks, lunch on both days, and dinner on March 24th.
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, managing up, project management, 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 digital 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 January 30 - March 25, 2026. Each course week will include videos, discussions, graded assignments, small group, and full class meetings. Attendance in the weekly meetings is required.
Participants and faculty will meet face-to-face on March 24 - 25, 2026, and participate in additional activities and networking opportunities. Attendees are expected to be present for all scheduled activities/sessions during the in-person portion of the workshop.
Attendance in both the online and face-to-face components of the program is required.
Seats are limited; register now. Registration ends Monday, January 12, 2026, or when class is full.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee, and you will be notified as to your acceptance as soon as possible.
Please note:
This series is available in two formats, so you can select the one that works better for you.
--The hybrid offering takes place every spring.
--The online offering takes place every fall.
Questions? Please contact nercomp@nercomp.org
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 start of the online course 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: Schedule of topics is subject to change
Program Agenda:
Online component - January 30, 2026 - March 20, 2026
Module One:
January 30th - February 5th - Module 1 – Program Introduction and Interpersonal Communication
Friday, February 6th - Weekly Meeting 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Module Two:
February 6th - February 12th - Module 2 – Time Management
Friday, February 13th - Weekly Meeting 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Module Three:
February 13th - February 19th - Module 3 – Project Management
Friday, February 20th- Weekly Meeting - Friday, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Module Four:
February 20th - February 26th - Module 4 – Performance Management
Friday, February 27th - Weekly Meeting 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Module Five:
February 27th - March 5th - Module 5 – Delegation and Managing Up
Friday, March 6th - Weekly Meeting 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Module Six:
March 6th - March 20th - Module 6 – Vision of Future Self
- No meeting for Module 6 - see you in person on March 24th and 25th.
Face-to-face component - March 24 - 25, 2026
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 *
8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration & Coffee
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Introduction, Communication Styles activities
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Budget and Finance, Delegation, Performance Management activities
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm Dinner and Networking (@ Four Points Sheraton)
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 *
9:00 am – 11:30 am Presentations and Future Me activities
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm Wrap up activities
2:00 pm End
* Times and order of topics are subject to change
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.
Hotel Information
Rooms are available at the Sheraton Norwood, the conference location.
To make reservations, contact the Sheraton Norwood at 781-769-7900 and request the "NERCOMP Room Block".
The room block for March 23 and 24, 2026, will be available until 5:00 pm local hotel time on February 21, 2026.
The reservations include a complimentary full buffet breakfast.
Below are the room options:
Standard guest rooms are available for $165 per night.
Deluxe guest rooms are available for $185 per night.
Pure guest rooms are available for $205 per night.