Please note: this program is available only to employees of the UT Institute for Public Service.
The IPS Leadership Academy empowers UT Institute for Public Service (IPS) employees to become leaders for the future. Participants continue a legacy of providing public service to the citizens, businesses and communities of Tennessee.
Participants must be permanent, full-time, exempt employees at IPS and be committed to working with IPS at least five additional years.
Participants must be committed to the program and plan to attend every training session. Dates are scheduled ahead of time, so employees and their supervisors can plan around the training.
The program requires travel and evening time. Participants should expect to spend time on team projects, discussions and planning.
To be selected for the IPS Leadership Academy, the participant must be nominated by his/her supervisor, agency director or peers.
Nominees go through a review process before being admitted to the Leadership Academy.
IPS employees are notified by email when nominations are being accepted. A final list of participants is selected by Naifeh Center leadership.
The academy is an 18-month commitment. It begins in February and runs through August of the following year. Participants visit each UT campus across the state to broaden their knowledge of the UT System.
Orientation | Virtual | 1/21/2025 |
Session 1 | Memphis (UTHSC) | 6/10/2025 – 6/12/2025 |
Session 2 | Jackson | 8/26/2025 – 8/28/2025 |
Session 3 | Martin (UTM) | 11/4/2025 – 11/6/2025 |
Session 4 | Nashville/Tullahoma (UTSI) | 2/17/2026 – 2/19/2026 |
Session 5 | Pulaski (UT Southern & UTIA) | 4/28/2026 – 4/30/2026 |
Session 6 | Chattanooga (UTC) | 7/28/2026 – 7/30/2026 |
Session 7 & Graduation | Oak Ridge/Knoxville (UTK) | 9/1/2026 – 9/3/2026 |