The CWAMS Faculty Advisory was created to fill an important gap in academic medicine. As leadership responsibilities increase, opportunities for candid, independent counsel often become more limited. The Faculty Advisory Network provides experienced faculty members with confidential, one-on-one access to senior advisors who have successfully navigated many of the same challenges.
Unlike traditional mentoring or leadership development programs, the Faculty Advisory Network provides individualized guidance and meaningful professional connections. Each selected faculty member is paired with a Senior Advisor—an experienced dean, provost, department chair, research leader, or other academic executive who has spent decades recruiting faculty, developing leaders, making difficult institutional decisions, and building extensive professional networks.
Through regular confidential conversations, advisors serve as trusted thought partners. Discussions may include:
- navigating institutional challenges;
- exploring new opportunities;
- gaining perspective on important decisions;
- expanding professional networks;
- preparing for future leadership; and
- sustaining long-term career success.
During the program’s first five years, many participants have assumed new leadership positions, while others have gained greater clarity, confidence, and direction in achieving their professional goals. Advisors consistently describe these relationships as equally rewarding.
Confidentiality is fundamental to the program. CWAMS does not disclose participant identities to their institutions or to others. Likewise, advisors do not discuss their advisees with anyone unless specifically requested by the advisee—for example, to facilitate sponsorship or introductions to other leaders within the network.
Why is it called a network?
The Faculty Advisory Network is not a social network or a peer network. Rather, it is a network of experienced leaders outside of your own institution.
As advisors come to know their advisees, they often introduce them to other leaders whose expertise or perspectives can further support their professional growth. These relationships broaden an individual’s network beyond institutional boundaries and create opportunities that may not otherwise arise.
We believe this model fills an important gap in academic medicine by providing confidential access to experienced leaders who offer objective perspective, informed counsel, and meaningful professional connections at pivotal moments in a faculty member’s career.
Who should apply?
The Faculty Advisory Network is intended primarily for full professors and senior associate professors, including those currently serving in leadership roles such as department chair or assistant or associate dean.
Ideal applicants may be seeking confidential guidance on significant professional decisions, navigating institutional challenges, expanding their professional network, preparing for future leadership opportunities, or simply benefiting from the perspective of an accomplished leader outside their own institution.
If you wish to apply for this program, please subscribe to be notified when applications re-open. There is no cost to selected participants or to their institutions.
