NAMIC Announces Partnership With The University of Virginia Darden School of Business to Facilitate Prestigious Executive Leadership Development Program

NEW YORK, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) today announced the launch of a new partnership with the University of Virginia Darden School of Business to facilitate the prestigious Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP).  The partnership will commence with ELDP Class XII, presented in four sessions, spanning a seven-month timeframe: October 9-12, 2012; December 5-7, 2012; February 20-22, 2013; and April 23-26, 2013.  The candidate nomination deadline for ELDP Class XII is August 3rd.

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In a residential setting, the new NAMIC ELDP curriculum will take a holistic approach to understanding, innovating, and, most important, leading in the communications industry's changing strategic and market context, while factoring in the global economic and competitive environment, and an increasingly diverse, digital-savvy consumer. 

For over half a century, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business has served as a critical resource for businesses around the world, conveying the relevant strategies and specific business skills needed to formulate decisions, set action plans, and apply sustainable options.  Darden's globally celebrated program combines a proven track record of excellence in providing research-grounded executive education that is practical and relevant.

"Through continued industry support, NAMIC's Executive Leadership Development Program has emerged as a key resource for increasing the pipeline of diverse executives, however, there remains much to accomplish," said NAMIC president and CEO, Nicol Turner-Lee, Ph.D. "While we are proud of the program's history, we are excited about the partnership with Darden and the promise for future success it presents."  

Targeting upper-middle executives of color (directors with two years at that level and above), the central goal of the NAMIC ELDP is to develop a pipeline of multi-ethnic business leaders who will be well prepared to assume senior management roles within the communications industry. Since its launch in 2001, 388 alumni have successfully completed the program.

Emphasizing professional growth, the program addresses the unique challenges faced by executives of color, while strengthening the critical business competencies that all executives must have in order to be successful.  In an independent third party program evaluation conducted by NAMIC, alumni of the Executive Leadership Development Program cited the following program success factors:

• leadership skills building
• increased self-confidence as leaders of color
• individual career enhancement
• a more profound understanding of the strategic value of a diversity of inputs stemming from cultural context and worldview
• knowledge of how to link personal vision to organizational success
• salary growth and promotions
• increased recognition for accomplishments

In issuing the general call for nominations, NAMIC strives to extend the reach of ELDP with the goal of imparting industry-wide access to the program.  In support of this effort, the Walter Kaitz Foundation has provided a fellowship for an eligible executive from a small cable operator or programmer that might otherwise not have adequate resources to allocate to executive development of the caliber of ELDP.  Eligible candidates are professionals of color with a minimum of two years tenure at the director level and above, and who have the endorsement of their respective companies as being high potential contributors to business goals. The generous fellowship gifted by the Walter Kaitz Foundation covers all expenses, including tuition, program materials, travel, lodging and meals.

For more information on the Executive Leadership Development Program or to access complete nomination criteria, visit http://www.namic.com or contact Jim Jones, vice president of Education Programs at NAMIC National, 212-594-5985.  

ABOUT NAMIC
NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) is the premier organization focusing on multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry. Founded in 1980 as a non-profit trade association, today NAMIC comprises over 2,700 professionals belonging to a network of 16 chapters nationwide. Through initiatives that focus on education, advocacy and empowerment, NAMIC champions equity and inclusion in the workforce, with special attention given to ensuring that the leadership cadres of our nation's communications industry giants reflect the multi-ethnic richness of the populations they serve. For more information, please visit www.namic.com and stay connected to NAMIC on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and DiversityLive: The Business > Social NAMIC Network.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Daphne Leroy       
Vice President of Marketing & Communications, NAMIC 
212-594-5985 (office) 
[email protected]                                                     

Charmaine Chapman
BTB Communications
310-882-5498 (office)
[email protected]

SOURCE NAMIC