- The Board of Regents presents...The SCU Board Leadership Academy
- Program Introduction
Are you interested in learning more about board service at Santa Clara University and the broader community? Calling all SCU alumni and community members – this is your chance to participate in a board training program sponsored by Santa Clara’s Board of Regents, a group of volunteers who provide special advice and support to the University’s President and Board of Trustees.
Introducing the SCU Board Leadership Academy, a dynamic training program designed to empower and prepare graduates and community members for board roles both at SCU and beyond. This year, the program will take place on September 25-27, 2025. SCU alumni and community members are invited to apply to join us for an enriching three-day experience on our beautiful campus.
This comprehensive program covers a spectrum of crucial subjects, including the historical context, roles, and responsibilities of SCU's boards; insights into the distinction between advisory and governing boards; the multifaceted roles of board members as ambassadors and fundraisers; and how to effectively market and position yourself for board consideration. The pinnacle of the program will be a board match night and closing dinner where participants will have the chance to interact with current advisory board members, SCU deans, and center directors.
The interest form is now open for the next cohort of the SCU Board Leadership Academy. Don't miss this extraordinary chance to elevate your leadership potential and leave a lasting impact on our vibrant community.
- September 25-27, 20242025 Program Components
Day 1 - Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Williman Room
Session 1 (4:15 pm – 6:15 pm): Mike Wallace (University Relations), Matthew Carnes (Mission & Ministry), and Raymond Plaza (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)
- Introduction: Prospective board member orientation and introduction to the advisory and governing boards at Santa Clara University and our Jesuit educational tradition. This introduction will discuss the history, scope, diversity, significance, and responsibilities of the boards at SCU and our values and commitment to educating the whole person in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.
Catered Dinner for Participants (6:15 pm)
Day 2 - Friday, September 26, 2025 - Williman Room
Breakfast (9:30 am - 10:00 am)
Session 2 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm): Don Heider (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics) and Ann Skeet (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics)
- Board Roles and Responsibilities: This session will overview Silicon Valley’s Nonprofit Sector, as well as board roles and responsibilities – from governance basics to advisory roles and promising practices. Participants will learn more about the legal and ethical obligations of a governance or advisory board, roles and responsibilities of governance and advisory boards, the difference between the work of the board and the work of individual board members, the differences between board and staff functions and governance vs. management roles, assessing board culture, considerations for choosing a “good fit” organization, and promising practices of highly effective boards. Participants will also learn how to evaluate and contribute to ethical organizational cultures, and will leave with practical tips that will help new board members serve organizations more effectively.
Lunch and Free Time (12:00 pm – 2:00 pm)
Session 3 (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm): Guisselle Nuñez (Chief Marketing Officer at SFSU; SCU Board of Regents)
- Personal Branding: Guisselle will focus this workshop on building your personal brand through social media and other traditional outlets. Subjects covered include: personal branding, identifying techniques to build your personal brand, applying personal branding techniques to enhance your career and nonprofit development.
Optional Dinner at the Hut (5:30 pm)
Day 3 - Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Williman Room
Breakfast (9:30 am - 10:00 am)
Session 4 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm): Kay Sprinkel Grace (Principal at Transforming Philanthropy LLC)
- Fundraising Responsibilities: This session will emphasize the fundamental stewardship responsibility of board members to ensure that the organization whose board they are serving on has the resources necessary to fulfill its mission. Emphasis will be on the responsibility of board members in the area of relationship building and fundraising. Kay Sprinkel Grace, author of The AAA Way to Fundraising Success, will present her concept that board members need to be “Ambassadors, Advocates, and/or Askers” for their nonprofit organization.
Lunch (12 pm – 1 pm)
Tour of SCDI Building (1 pm – 2 pm)
Session 5 (2:15 pm – 4:15 pm): SCU Board Members and Leadership
- Advisory Board Panel and Small Group Discussions: Participants will hear from a panel of current SCU advisory board members and have an opportunity to ask questions about board service. The cohort will also be introduced to SCU deans, executive directors, and board members of SCU’s various advisory and governance boards, and engage in smaller group discussions led by SCU leaders and board members.
Break (4:15 pm – 4:30 pm)
Session 6 (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm reception, 5:30 dinner): SCU Board Members and Leadership
- Board Match Reception and Closing Dinner: Participants will be invited to attend a board match reception with SCU leadership and board members to match prospective board member interests with the missions of SCU boards. Participants -who are allowed to bring their spouse or partner to the reception and dinner - are then invited to attend a closing celebration with SCU leadership and current advisory board members.
- Now accepting applications...Applications Details
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
- Have a strong desire to gain a deep understanding of advisory roles and responsibilities of a board member
- Be interested in learning about emerging board leadership trends and new practices
- Be committed to participating in the mission of Santa Clara University
- Be committed to learning about the governance and advisory boards at SCU
- Have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree or have equivalent experience
- Be interested in contributing to the university by contributing your time, talents, and treasure
Application Timeline
- The formal application for the academy will be sent via email in Summer 2025.
- Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The application deadline is August 15th. Applicants will be notified no later than August 22nd.
- If accepted into the academy, there is a $350 nonrefundable tuition fee due by August 29th, in addition to a charitable donation to SCU (any area and amount of your choice). If you wish to bring a spouse to the board match reception and final dinner, there will be an additional $75 charge.
- The training will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 25-27, 2025, with the Thursday session scheduled for 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm; Friday's sessions scheduled for 9:30 am - 5:00 pm; and Saturday's sessions scheduled for 9:30 am - 5:30 pm.
- Catered dinners follow the sessions on Thursday and Saturday. An optional group dinner will be made available on Friday at your own expense. Saturday's dinner is highly recommended.
- All sessions must be attended in-person to receive a certificate of completion for the program.
- For further questions please contact Téo Sanico at tsanico@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4947.