Launching Early Academic Pathways (LEAP)
Equipping the KU School of Medicine Early Career Faculty with foundational skills to help navigate their academic career.
Designed for Assistant Professors in the early years of practice, providing foundational skills to support career clarity and long-term success. We will preference paid faculty within their first 3 years of practice following residency, fellowship, or post-doctoral fellowship.
Through a series of interactive virtual sessions, LEAP fosters reflection, practical skill-building, and community, providing participants with the tools and support needed to grow, connect, and thrive in academic medicine.
Application Process
Applicants must complete and submit the application by the stated deadline while applications are open. Acceptance notifications will be sent within one month following the application deadline. To create a supportive environment, the number of spots will be capped for each cohort. Individuals who are not accepted are welcome to reapply in future application cycles.
Application Closed
The application period for the next cohort is now closed. Information about future application cycles will be shared when available. For questions, please contact the School of Medicine Faculty Development Office by email.
Program Expectations
Participants must attend at least 5 of the 7 sessions to receive program certification.
Once accepted, you will receive Outlook calendar invitations for all scheduled sessions.
To support a meaningful and engaging experience, participants are expected to:
- Actively participate in session activities and small group discussions
- Set aside cell phones and silence notifications to be fully present
- Keep cameras on so facilitators can adapt content and better support learning
- Review provided guideposts and materials
Curriculum
Each session will blend content relevant to early-career faculty with practical skill-building activities, followed by application and implementation planning. This approach ensures that participants leave with tools, confidence, and a clear path forward, as content and activities are scaffolded to provide a structured progression. Along the way, participants gain valuable support through CliftonStrengths assessment and peer coaching.
Virtual Sessions
- Individual CliftonStrengths Debrief (One session)
- Peer Coaching (Three sessions)
- Session 1: Defining Your Academic Purpose
- Session 2: Thriving in the Academic Environment
- Session 3: Preparing for Promotion and Advancement
- Session 4: Building Mentorship and Professional Connections
- Session 5: Maximizing Your Time & Impact
- Session 6: Advancing Your Career Through Communication and Influence
- Session 7: Planning Your Academic Journey
After the program concludes, you and your cohort will have the optional opportunity to stay connected through Blackboard. This private space allows you to continue building relationships, sharing insights, and supporting one another through ongoing peer networking.
This program helps equip early career faculty with personal insight, professional tools, and leadership foundation to navigate their academic career.
KU School of Medicine Early Career Faculty at the rank of Assistant Professor with preference toward paid faculty within their first 3 years of practice following residency, fellowship, or post-doctoral fellowship.
Participants must attend at least 5 of the 7 sessions. If you are unable to attend a session, we encourage you to complete any associated assignments, as the content builds progressively from one session to the next.
Interested participants must complete an online application. Applications are reviewed, and selected applicants will be notified of their acceptance via email. Once accepted, participants will be asked to confirm their participation and complete any requirements before the program's start.
Peer Coaching groups are a facilitated confidential space to normalize common career and leadership challenges as you integrate your learning with colleagues who understand the context and challenges of academic medicine. Participants are assigned to a peer coaching group during the first Peer Coaching session.
Yes. The LEAP Certificate is the premier faculty affairs and development program at the KU School of Medicine. The framework ensures that the program is versatile, comprehensive, and well-balanced. The certificate is a tangible indicator of a participant’s commitment not only to professional development but also to personal and professional growth in their academic career.
Participants who complete certification should note it on their curriculum vitae (CV).
Recommended Entry
To document your completion of the Launching Early Academic Pathways (LEAP) certificate to FACT, log in using your KUMC credentials and navigate to the “Professional Development and Continuing Education” section under “Personal Data.” Click “Add New” to open a new entry and fill in the required details, including the program name (Launching Early Academic Pathways), purpose (Faculty Development), format (Other – Certificate Program), focus area (Other – Early Carer Development), and sponsoring organization (University of Kansas Medical Center – School of Medicine Faculty Affairs and Development). Enter the program’s location, credit hours, and start and end dates, then upload your certificate. Once complete, click “Save” to finalize your entry.
After the program concludes, you and your cohort will have the optional opportunity to stay connected through Blackboard. This private space allows you to continue building relationships, sharing insights, and supporting one another through ongoing peer networking.
Questions
For questions, please contact the School of Medicine Faculty Development Office by email.