UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Applications for McKinsey & Company’s Connected Leaders Academy, offered by Penn State Human Resources, are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for the February 2024 cohort. Additional cohorts are planned for April and June 2024.
Penn State Human Resources launched Leadership Foundations in October 2022, a multi-track leadership development framework with programming for individuals in all stages of their leadership and management career development. The program tracks are Leadership Essentials, Emerging Leaders, Transition to Supervision, and Management Concepts.
As part of the Leadership Foundations framework, Human Resources also partnered with McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, to bring its Connected Leaders Academy (CLA) to Penn State employees. Nearly 100 Penn State employees either have completed or are currently participating in the CLA 2023 enrollment program.
CLA is intended to help advance racial equity and inclusion by investing in the development of future leaders within an organization by increasing the number of employees from underrepresented populations in leadership positions, improving talent pipelines and unlocking the full potential of existing employees. Participation in CLA programs will equip employees with the skills, peer networks and sponsorship needed to achieve their professional aspirations for growth.
CLA has three leadership academies in its portfolio:
- Leadership Essentials (different from the University program mentioned above) is a three-month program designed for early career professionals with less than seven years of work experience.
- Management Accelerator program, a four-month program geared toward mid-level and senior managers.
- Executive Leadership program, a three-month program designed for senior executives.
Program participants attend virtual, weekly sessions, and following completion, program alumni will have access to ongoing learning and networking opportunities through CLA.
Anyone interested in participating in one of the CLA programs in 2024 should submit an expression of interest form as soon as possible. This form will then be routed to the applicant’s manager for review and approval. Supervisor support is essential to the participant’s success in the program to ensure they are given the capacity to attend sessions, complete activities, and the opportunity to share and apply the learning.
There is no cost associated with participating in the program, and Penn State participants who successfully complete the program requirements will receive badges and certificates from Penn State Talent Management.
Questions about McKinsey & Company’s CLA programs should be directed to Nalini Krishnankutty, Penn State Human Resources diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging program manager, at hr-deib@psu.edu.