COLLEGE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
College Executive Leadership Certificate
The College Executive Leadership Certificate program builds the core competencies senior leaders need to bring strategic, operational, and people leadership to the executive table within Ontario’s colleges.
Targeting leaders who are ready to learn, grow, and advance their leadership practice, the program supports those in Dean, Director, AVP, or equivalent roles. It helps participants move beyond operational and tactical leadership to embrace a broader, strategic perspective required at the executive level.
Note: This newly enhanced certificate program replaces the previously offered certificate program, Leadership Excellence.
Program-at-a-glance:
- Application requires an executive sponsor
- Duration: 10 months (Sept-June)
- Time commitment: 20-30 hours
- Cost: NO fee for members of the 24 Ontario public colleges and polytechnics
- Max cohort: 48 participants
- Applications will remain open until September 26 (midnight).
- Click here for a Comprehensive Program Overview (PDF)
Call for Vice-Presidents: Contribute to leadership development in Ontario’s Colleges - The College Centre is seeking Ontario college Vice-Presidents/executive leaders from a variety of divisional areas to contribute to the College Executive Leadership program. This program supports the development of senior leaders across the sector, and your experience could play a vital role in shaping the next generation of college leadership.
Click here for more information and to express your interest!
For more information, contact The College Centre Team.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, participants will be better prepared to meet expectations associated with executive leadership roles, including:
- Effectively supporting the work of the President and the Board of Governors with an understanding of key legislative requirements and the Ontario college context
- Leading with a deeper understanding of the strategic role of executive leadership within Ontario’s college system
- Leading as an accountable leader
- Leading change within the complex and dynamic college organization
- Clarifying individual development priorities and strategic growth opportunities
- Enhancing professional networks
Program Structure
The program is delivered virtually over the program year (September – June) and includes:
- On-demand webinars for instructional content
- Interactive sessions led by experienced college leaders and external partners
- Networking and learning sessions with current Vice-Presidents/Executive leaders
- Scenario-based learning focused on sector-specific challenges
- Peer learning and networking opportunities
Participants are expected to engage in approximately 24-30 hours of learning across multiple modules, including both synchronous and asynchronous components.
Eligibility Criteria
This program is intended for college leaders who:
- Hold a current Dean, Director, AVP, or equivalent position (with minimum experience of 1 year at this level)
- Have the endorsement of their college (Vice-President/Executive support)
- Demonstrate readiness to engage in leadership development at the executive level
- Are committed to contributing to the strategic direction and collaborative leadership of their institutions
- Are available to attend synchronous sessions
- Can complete all program components by June 30 each year (participants have 10 months to complete the program beginning September)
Completion Criteria
Based on the table below, participants will be required to complete:
- Seven webinars (on-demand)
- Two synchronous, virtual workshops
- Two of four synchronous Leadership Exchange Series
- Five Reflection exercises
- Time to develop Leadership Resource Library
The expected hours required to complete these courses are 24-30 hours. Depending on individual factors around reflections, and other asynchronous activities, the time spent might be marginally more or less.
Enrolment
Enrolment is coordinated through an HR Liaison at each college:
- There is no registration or program fee.
- An application process requires the endorsement of a sponsoring VP.
- An enrolment “key” is provided through the HR Liaison once participation has been confirmed. This key provides immediate access to the learning platform and all content within this program. Contact us for more information about this contact person.
- Enrolment opens to new participants annually in August.
- Enrolment is limited to a maximum of 2 participants per college, each year. The maximum cohort is 48 participants each year.
- Applications will remain open until September 26 (midnight).
- If unused spaces are available, consideration will be given to allow more than 2 participants from a college.
2025-26 Program OverviewRecommended completion timelines ensure readiness for synchronous program components.
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Asynchronous Courses: Webinars On-demand |
The College System – An Introduction (1 hour)
Understanding the context for the college system as a whole is critical to all senior leaders, and Boards of Governors. The legislative framework, economic and political trends, as well as key sectors for college graduates are explored. The session explores the role of Colleges Ontario as the sector’s advocacy and coordination body, highlighting how collective action supports system-wide strength and sustainability. Complete by October 31, 2025 |
Labour and Employee Relations – An Introduction (1 hour)The College Employer Council (CEC) provides system leadership to labour and employee relations. Understanding this sector leadership and function is important to senior leaders and Boards of Governors. By the end of this session, participants will better understand the role of CEC across bargaining and employee relations. Complete by October 31, 2025 |
The College, the Board and the Governor: Legal Framework and Obligations (1.5 hours)This 6-part tutorial course provides Ontario college board members and senior administrators with a foundational understanding of the legal and governance framework that defines their roles and responsibilities. Complete by October 31, 2025 |
College Financial Leadership (1.5 hours)This session highlights good governance practices around financial leadership, key components of revenue and expenditures, financial health indicators, the current financial status of the college system and the influence of the province on college financial matters. Within the financial context, this session also integrates good governance concepts, the importance of understanding legislation, regulations, risk management and fiduciary duties and standard of care, along with strong financial oversight. Complete by February 28, 2026 |
Understanding College Financial Statements (1.5 hours)Financial statements provide critical information on a college’s financial health and its ability to pursue and achieve its strategic objectives. This session provides an introduction for board members, board staff and senior leaders on the basic components of financial statements, the PSAS Conceptual Framework, the role of senior management and boards vis-à-vis financial statements, reporting of financials, and current issues impacting colleges’ financial statements. Complete by February 28, 2026 |
Risk Management for Senior Managers – An Introduction (1.5 hours)This session looks at the critical role senior management plays in leading risk management, building a pervasive risk culture and ensuring that the board has the information it needs to endorse the president’s proposed approach to, and proposed strategies for, risk management. Complete by February 28, 2026 |
Understanding the Ontario College: Structural and Strategic Drivers (1.5 hours)This session focuses on the strategic and structural drivers that impact decision making and strategy implementation within the Ontario college system. Emphasis is on the consideration of internal and external drivers, and formal and informal structures within the Ontario college system, and how executive leaders can navigate those forces to maximize the achievement of key strategic initiatives. Complete by March, 2026 |
Asynchronous Courses: Self-guided |
Leadership Reflection Exercises (3 - 5 hours)Participants will complete self-guided reflective exercises at five key points throughout the program year. The final reflection requires a structured conversation with their sponsoring college vice president to discuss insights and development priorities. 5 exercises throughout the program |
Leadership Resource Library (3 - 5 hours)
Participants are encouraged to advance their leadership effectiveness through a well-curated resource library that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving higher education landscape. Tapping into regular resource feeds, scanning the economic, political, technological and demographic/social trends, this strategic resource library will support strategic thinking, risk management, innovative leadership and confident decision-making in an increasingly complex sector. |
Asynchronous/Synchronous courses: Instructor-led |
Leadership Exchange Series (2 - 4 hours)
Four discussion panels will be offered throughout the program year. Featuring college vice-presidents as panelists, topics will be explored that support the program's learning outcomes, enhance the professional networks, and reveal the often-hidden cultural and organizational dynamics that drive strategic success. Minimum of 2 sessions, according to program schedule |
Leadership Accountability Gap (3 hours)Participants will discuss what it really means to be a leader today. This has become the most critical question for colleges as they contend with a myriad of challenges at a time of unprecedented change and disruption. To succeed, colleges will need truly accountable leaders in place at every level. This thought-provoking and practical course will help participants become the truly accountable leader colleges require. Course includes:
Featuring guest presenter and facilitator: Workshop date: November 17, 2025 |
Strategic Change Leadership (3.5 hours)Most change initiatives divide and disappoint. Opposition and confusion are common, making the process feel like an uphill battle. But it doesn’t have to be this way. While others struggle to deal with the inevitable conflicting values that come with change, you’re going to tap into the power of “And” thinking. Course includes:
Featuring guest presenter and facilitator: Workshop date: February 23, 2026 |
Total Hours 24 - 30
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