Conducted by The Anderson Graduate School of Management
The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies,
The course work of the Fellows (pictured to the left) moved from general management topics to group dynamics. Human resources, computer data analysis/presentation resources, finance and operations concepts, marketing and communications concepts, and theory, strategic planning, organizational design, and other topics were covered in depth. A number of labs and work groups were available to apply the knowledge received.
Most of the courses were taught by stellar UCLA Anderson School professors. The faculty were aided by seven top-notch teaching associates. Dr. Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., is the UCLA J & J Fellows Faculty Director. All the program arrangements were ably managed by UCLA J & J Fellows Program Coordinator Myra Brown.
The Fellows' respective agencies also provided "co-participants," usually the CEOs, to work with them the last 2½ days of the program on their Management Improvement Plan, or "MIP." AACS Executive Director Ron Logsdon joined Aubrey Nehring at UCLA on June 25th. Over the next two days they worked on the MIP, and were given the opportunity to be one of the seven teams selected to formally present their MIP.
That MIP entails a strategic process to implement "site-based" management in Head Start area-wide over a two-year period. The Head Start director will be working with his staff in that endeavor. Also, the executive director will be moving to implement the concept in other AACS operations as well.
Graduation was held for the Fellows at the famed Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, Thursday evening, June 27th. Head Start Bureau Program Director Ann Linehan was the featured speaker. She praised the Fellows' enthusiasm and thanked the Johnson & Johnson Company for their corporate support of the Management Fellows Program and for the need—even the "starvation"—of Head Start professionals for elegance, professionalism, recognition—which the program and the graduation certainly provided.
Director Ann Linehan also related a couple true stories from her career which, she said, taught her some important lessons. First, always take time to ask penetrating, incisive questions rather than just keeping on with what's apparent, known, or comfortable. "All too often," she said, "we have managed well and led poorly." It's a strong advocacy stance. Second, challenge bureaucracy: it's "not an organization that promotes creativity and learning." She said that one should remember that bureaucracy is slower than you, and its behind you as innovative program leaders.
Johnson & Johnson Vice President for Corporate Contributions Curtis Weeden also spoke at the graduation, as did Wendy Logan, the company's chief purchasing officer. Logan, Linehan, and Faculty Director Osborne presented the Fellows their graduation certificates.
The Johnson & Johnson Management Fellows training program concluded with a morning session on Friday, June 28th.
But the work is not over. Indeed, it's just begun. Aubrey and Ron have now been "MIPped." Now it's your turn. The MIP (Management Improvement Plan) committed to at UCLA is one to be implemented back home, not a mere academic exercise. Head Start and all other AACS staff will see planning and activities directly related to the MIP, which is also directly related to the commitment to empower local county coordinators made last December in Atlanta at the Phase III "Managing Change" Institute.
The programs are offered each summer at UCLA consisting of 80 hours of intensive training over a two-week period. Participants are housed at a hotel on the UCLA campus and classes are conducted at the new Anderson Management Complex within walking distance of the hotel. The two weeks are highlighted with several special events and culminate with a formal graduation ceremony.
The Curriculum, designed from a strategic planning perspective, builds both executive and entrepreneurial management skills. Lectures, workshops, and group discussions cover subjects such as human resource management, organization design and development, financial management, computers and information systems, operations, and marketing. Several case studies from actual Head Start programs are used to illustrate key concepts and enhance learning. Faculty members are largely drawn from the Anderson School. Additional faculty from other universities and the community are selected based on the needs of each year's participants.
An essential component of the Fellows program is the involvement of the Head Start directors' supervisors as "co-participants" during the last 3½ days of the program. The supervisors and directors work together on a strategic initiative called the Management Improvement Project (MIP). Under the guidance of the faculty and with the assistance of teaching associates, Fellows develop key elements of their MIPs in strategic workshops and planing sessions. These MIPS prepare the directors to implement projects of major significance upon returning to their organizations.
Aubrey Nehring's "MIP" for the Audubon Area Head Start relates to the process of shifting more and more decision making and authority in the program from the central office to the local level, i.e., empowering and strengthening local coordinators over a window of time to assume greater local control and responsibility for day-to-day operations under an outcomes-based approach. The MIP goals also include enhancing the programs's responsiveness to family and community needs within standards-driven parameters. This plan of action dovetails with the "Phase IV" Mastering Change Initiative for which the AACS, Inc. Head Start is the Kentucky lead agency.
Fellows maintain contact with the program and each other through several means: an annual Advanced Management Institute held each winter at UCLA providing advanced workshops and a public policy forum; a quarterly newsletter, and an annual Profile and Resource Guide providing current listing for all Fellows. In addition, UCLA staff and faculty are available to assist and support Fellows with their strategic projects. In the future, Fellows will be linked through a communications network.
To be considered for admission, an applicant must be a Head Start director for a minimum of three years; play a leadership role in local, state, or regional community organization for a minimum of three years; and pledge to work with and/or train other Head Start directors in the future.
Myra Brown, Program Coordinator
The Anderson School at UCLA
110 Westwood Plaza, Suite A101D -- Box 951464
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1464
Telephone: 310/825-6306
RonLogsdon@aol.com