Self-Nomination Deadline: Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
The Division of University Advancement invites staff members interested in being considered for the January 2026 CMU Advancement Leadership Fellows program to submit an application by midnight on Nov. 28 through the self-nomination process.
Six applicants will be selected to join the fellows cohort for the January 2026 program.
Launched in January 2020, the CMU Advancement Leadership Fellows program is a selective coaching program designed to support outstanding staff members in University Advancement. Participants will explore issues related to leadership, management and CMU’s advancement programs and to encourage ongoing professional and leadership development. This is a unique opportunity for those who have a strong interest in staying current on trends in our profession and in higher education and who want to improve key skills and continue to learn.
By participating in this program, you will:
- Explore and build on your personal strengths
- Discover opportunities for further development, career tracking and increased performance
- Build your networks and increase your engagement with your colleagues
- Increase your communication skills
Program Details
The formal program begins in January 2026 and will conclude in June 2026. Additional engagement opportunities will be ongoing.
The program begins in January 2026 and lasts six months. The program includes three workshop tracks with six coaching sessions each. During each workshop track, Fellows will meet for a one-hour virtual session each week. They will need additional time for session preparation, assignments and reflection.
Six Fellows will be selected for the 2026 program, who will work together as a cohort, learning from each other and offering ongoing support and feedback.
The Fellows program is led by HumanQ, a San Francisco-based management development company that designed a course of study to cultivate leadership capacities in a diverse group of potential future leaders across all areas of Advancement. The curriculum responds to current and emerging advancement-related trends that will affect the future work and leadership of the profession.
HumanQ executive coaches run each session and support the Fellows in developing skills relevant to Advancement work, encourage them to reflect on personal strengths and challenges, and expand their awareness of resources. Courses may include “Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone,” “Taking 100% Ownership” and “Driving to Results.”
All full-time central and school and college-based Advancement staff members who have not previously participated in the program may apply.
Past Participants
- Katie Coan
- Zackery Dean
- Katie Edmundowicz
- Aurora Hsiao
- Lisa Page
- Abby Pittinaro
- Carina Martin
- Emily Rathbone
- Jeff Ross
- Andrew Schilffarth
- Sarah Sperry
- Daniella Staudacher
- Neil Benish
- Emily Callahan
- Adam Causgrove
- Jennifer Duessel
- Hannah Tchetchko
- Rebecca Abrams
- Jennifer Brown
- Mitch Coates
- Monica Corchado
- Ryan Freytag
- David Gardner
- Meagen Fekos
- Muza Furin Carraux
- Laurel Furlow
- Danielle Hoffman
- Chris Kissell
- Shaina Sine
- Niki Bernardi
- Beth Beyer
- Tamaira Binion
- Claire Brautigam
- Matt Cohen
- Matt McCamley
- Joyce DeFrancesco
- Tony Downs
- Mike Harding
- Lauren Henry
- Andy Jackson
- Mara Kudrick
- Jordan Markley
- Sarah Mier
- Richard Peyser
- Katie Restori
- Brittany Wideman
- Sandra Zhao
Application Details
Self-nominations are accepted for this program and must include:
- A completed nomination form
- One letter of recommendation from a current peer and/or colleague
All self-nominations will be submitted online. It is recommended that you prepare your answers in advance in Word and then copy and paste your answers into the online form. Self-nominations will be accepted through a secure online application process that will open on Monday, Nov. 3 and will close at midnight on Friday, Nov. 28.
Before submitting your self-nomination, please make sure that you:
- Have obtained approval from your current supervisor
- Have checked that all your answers to each question on the nomination form are within the specified word limit as the online program will not allow you to submit answers that exceed the specified word limits
- Gather the information you need before you begin to fill out the nomination form, which includes a Word document with answers to the questions and one letter of recommendation in PDF format (a letter from your current colleague or peer)
Self-nominations will be accepted through a secure online application process that will open on Monday, Nov. 3 and will close at midnight on Friday, Nov. 28.
Selection Committee
Members of a selection committee will review applications and supporting materials. The selection committee will include the director of learning and performance, two members of the UA management team, and one member from each of the previous cohorts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) of Advancement Leadership Fellows. The selection committee will make recommendations to the vice president of University Advancement for final selection.
Our aim is to assemble a group of program participants that encompasses a wide range of experiences, job functions and tenures at CMU. We are committed to forming a cohort that fosters mutual growth and learning.