Leadership Pathways

Middle Leadership Academy 2026-2027 

 

The nomination process for the Middle Leadership Academy is open now through August 28th.  The nomination packet is available here. The Middle Leadership Academy (MLA) is a year-long, statewide leadership development program of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges' Student Success Center. Designed for mid-level and emerging leaders, the academy strengthens participants' capacity to lead institutional change, advance equitable student success, and support Guided Pathways implementation across Washington's community and technical colleges. Through statewide convenings, leadership development, collaborative learning, and applied practice, fellows build the knowledge, skills, and relationships needed to navigate complex systems and lead with purpose.

At the heart of the academy is an applied, cross-functional project where fellows work together to address real student success challenges facing Washington's colleges. Grounded in systems thinking, equity, and continuous improvement, the experience blends leadership development with practical problem-solving, helping participants strengthen their influence, foster collaboration across divisions, and translate innovative ideas into meaningful institutional change.