Greetings From the Executive Director
We are pleased to invite you to attend CMI 2008, scheduled for May 18-23 on the beautiful Miami University campus in Oxford, Ohio. Faculty, advisors and staff are busy preparing exciting programs in Levels I & II, and the fourth annual Alumni Experience, May 21-22.
Alumni value their CMI experience and asked that continuing education programs be provided to complement the two-year CMI program. In 2000, the first CMI alumni program was conducted prior to the CACUBO annual meeting and received excellent evaluations. In 2006, the AE was a two-day, in-depth program held concurrently with the CMI, on Wednesday and Thursday.
In addition, we will continue to hold a CMI Reception at CACUBO's annual meeting, so that prospective attendees can dialogue with CMI alumni. We’ll look forward to seeing you next October in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As always, we seek your feedback on additional types of experiences or specific topics that would be valuable.
Miami University offers a beautiful campus, extraordinary customer service, attractive and delicious catering and complete attention to CMI's needs. We look forward to another wonderful CMI experience in 2008.
Why CMI Exists Today
The Central Association of College and University Business Officers ( CACUBO ) offers outstanding professional development opportunities and is constantly updating continuing programs and adding new ones. More than two decades ago, the CACUBO Board of Directors charged Dr. James Buffer with an enormous task--to assist in developing a new leadership program--and the Collegiate Management Institute (CMI) was founded. Dr. Buffer proposed a program focusing on principle-centered leadership, personal management, and life-long learning designed for practicing administrators and those who aspired to leadership roles in higher education. Financial, budgetary, and business related topics are important parts of the program, but an emphasis is placed on personal awareness, personal development, and personal creation of effective leadership skills. The CMI was inaugurated at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1987, and thrived under Jim's leadership. Since Jim decided to step down in 2003, I have had the privilege of serving as the CMI’s second Executive Director. In 2004, CMI moved to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. More than 2200 participants have taken part in the Institute. Today, the CMI continues to be recognized as an exceptional leadership development program.
The CMI Professional Development System
Expected program outcomes are developing knowledge, attitudes, and skills that enable participants to make a difference in the workplace. In order to be good leaders and managers of others, participants must first understand and be aware of their own actions and leadership styles. The program provides a systematic approach to learning and is structured to ensure the development of leadership skills, assessing personal strengths and weaknesses, learning to collaborate effectively, creating and negotiating solutions, renewing personal vitality, and enhancing professional performance. Small group activities allow participants to critically assess and apply problem-solving knowledge and skills.
At the beginning of the Institute, participants are told that CMI will differ from other workshops or seminars they have attended. The week at CMI includes complementary sessions that are conducted by internationally recognized faculty who not only provide content but also are role models for participants. CMI alumni advisors facilitate individual and team activities that build upon faculty presentations to solve case study problems. These intersecting experiences help to ensure learning outcomes and the development of new skills and knowledge that build upon both past and future sessions.
Case studies and related activities allow participants to take risks while exploring solutions to issues and problems that are based in the everyday work environment. Teamwork, as part of the case studies and projects, fosters interactive problem solving building on each other's strengths, and a willingness to take risks to develop creative solutions. Strong personal and professional networks evolve and communication tends to continue long after participants leave their CMI week. Many alumni have adopted the problem solving methods and activities that were integral to their case studies and projects and report success in applying them when dealing with important issues on their home campuses.
CMI has achieved the distinction of becoming the professional benchmark for leadership training for college and university personnel, serving as THE model for emerging programs in other regions and for professional groups whose members aspire to leadership roles in higher education. In the words of one of our distinguished alumni, CMI has earned recognition as "The Program that Builds Leaders!"
CMI participants are not limited to business officers. Rather, alumni hold positions of leadership in various departments of the higher education community including business, finance, law enforcement, physical plant and grounds, student advisement and counseling, food services and housing, transportation and parking, alumni affairs and development, personnel and human resources and purchasing. In addition, those who serve as fiscal officers for academic units and other departments also benefit from CMI. Many alumni report successful transition to roles of increased responsibility and leadership and attribute their advancement to participation in CMI. Some have reported that they learned more useful techniques and practices in the two weeks at CMI than in an MBA program.
A symbol of the CMI alumni commitment and institutional support is indicated by an average return rate exceeding 60% for our Level II class, nearly twice the national average of 35% for similar educational ventures. Very few comparable programs can attest to such achievements.
Program Outcomes and the Future
Higher education institutions recognize that competent professional personnel are their most valued resources, and that investing in quality professional development is essential. The Collegiate Management Institute allows professionals to develop skills and improve competencies that have the personal benefits of improving job performance, work satisfaction and organizational productivity.
CMI alumni report increased resourcefulness, confidence, self-reliance and willingness to make a difference in the workplace. CMI alumni are passionate about their program and CMI staff are committed to ensure the continuing evaluation and improvement of educational services to better serve their constituents.
The future is bright for CMI. This unique learning program for those aspiring to assume leadership roles in higher education continues to be an innovative learning system. I am pleased to be part of the CMI team. We invite you to enroll in CMI 2008, May 18-23, and invest in yourself, your institution and your community. We are confident that you will enjoy a beneficial learning experience while meeting new colleagues and renewing your energy.
Monica M. Boulay
CMI Executive Director
c/o EduSpeak
PO Box 31326
Tucson, AZ 85751
Phone: 520-298-8680
Fax: 520-298-8799
E-mail: EduSpeak@aol.com |
