Application Deadline:  Midnight (CST) November 1, 2025

Academy begins at the 2026 Spring Conference and concludes at the 2027 Spring Conference.

Attendance at 2026 Spring Conference, 2026 Fall Conference and 2027 Spring Conference is expected to complete the Academy.  

IPCSA Leadership Academy: Cultivating Adaptive Leaders for Community Impact

The IPCSA Leadership Academy, in partnership with the Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation (ACJI), is a year-long immersive learning experience designed to cultivate adaptive, emotionally intelligent leaders within the fields of probation, detention, and pretrial services. This Academy supports emerging and current leaders in developing the insight, skill, and network needed to navigate complexity, inspire change, and advance justice-centered leadership across systems.

Purpose and Philosophy

The Academy prioritizes the development of adaptive leadership capacities, equipping participants not only with core leadership competencies but also with the ability to respond to uncertainty, challenge norms, and guide organizations through complex change. Rather than focusing solely on technical leadership tasks, this program emphasizes:

• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Identifying and addressing adaptive challenges
• Facilitating feedback loops for continuous learning
• Navigating politics and building champions for change
• Understanding and shifting culture within systems

Participants engage deeply with these themes through a combination of virtual learning, in-person sessions, peer collaboration, mentorship, and a capstone project.

Program Components

• 12-Month Learning Series: A structured journey combining personal development and systems thinking.
• Three In-Person Institutes: Intensive, interactive sessions held in conjunction with IPCSA’s Spring and Fall Conferences.
• Six Virtual Cohort Learning Events: Focused micro-learnings and dialogue-driven sessions covering leadership theory and practice.
• 1:1 Mentorship: Thoughtfully matched mentors support participants’ development and reflection throughout the year.
• Capstone Project: Participants select and lead a real-world project designed to benefit their department and the field at large. With guidance from mentors, facilitators, and peers, they implement and adapt their initiative over the course of the year, culminating in a presentation of their learning and impact.

Building a Leadership Community

Beyond skill-building, the Academy creates a learning community of peers. Participants develop lasting professional relationships grounded in trust, feedback, and shared purpose. Many describe their cohort as a source of inspiration, connection, and friendship that endures long after the program concludes.

Who Should Apply

This program is ideal for:

• Managers and supervisors in probation, detention, or pretrial services
• Experienced staff identified as future leaders through succession planning
• Professionals with aspirations for leadership

Applicants must be endorsed by their agency leadership and demonstrate a commitment to growth, collaboration, and field impact.

In all cases, the individual must be in good standing as an IPCSA member, have the financial backing of the agency, and endorsed by an organization’s leader. (All non-director/CMO applicants must have a letter of endorsement (attachment A) from their Director/CMO. Director and CMO applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of endorsement from their Chief or Presiding Judge). An applicant will be considered for acceptance into the Leadership Academy upon receipt of a letter of recommendation from said leader.

CRITERIA FOR GRADUATION: Participants are encouraged to review the Leadership Academy’s schedules prior to enrolling to ensure availability for scheduled events. Criteria for successful graduation includes:

• Attendance at each of the three on-site Leadership Academy Institute Sessions (to be held on the

Tuesday before IPCSA Spring, Fall and Spring Conferences

• Attendance at the three Consecutive IPCSA Conferences (Spring, Fall, Spring)
• Attendance at the 6 virtual 2– hour training events
• Completion and timely submission of all intersession assignments
• Completion of a Capstone Project and presentation
• Participation in intersession calls, web-based discussions
• Participation in quarterly virtual convening of Academy Graduates
• Serve as a Mentor for future Academy participants

If an emergency prevents a participant from attending the program once it begins (unknown situation outside of the participant’s control), he/she will be required to make up the work and all required assignments. If a participant chooses to discontinue attendance or fails to submit assignments due to a voluntary situation, they will be withdrawn from the academy.

FEES: Tuition for the Leadership Academy series is $1,600.00 per participant which covers class materials, faculty, speakers, and classroom facility. The agency or participant will be responsible for all other expenses including but not limited to meals, lodging, transportation and registration for co-occurring conference. Generally, four nights’ lodging are required for each on-site training institute and conference (arrival on Monday evening, departure on Friday). The Association is offering a registration discount of $100 off of the normal IPCSA Conference Registration rates for academy students.

APPLICATION PROCESS: The Application for the IPCSA 2024-2025 Leadership Academy Class can be found HERE! The application is not considered complete until all required fields are entered. Mandatory information includes:

Current Resume – Resume which clearly describes work responsibilities for each position held, time in each position, past management and leadership experience, subordinate structure, education, and affiliation with professional organizations.

Biography and headshot– Short bio introducing yourself of 150 words or less. Include a headshot to be used with IPCSA materials.

Application Endorsement by CMO (Attachment A) – A mandatory endorsement must be completed by the Director/CMO for all applicants. Endorsement for Directors and CMO’s must be signed by their Chief or Presiding Judge.

Letter of Recommendation- A letter of recommendation must be written by the applicant’s Supervisor describing association involvement, other external organization involvement, leadership experience and commitment to growth.

Application Information Sheet (Attachment B) – Information related to the applicant must be included: name, contact information, agency contact information, title and position, and electronic signatures from the applicant.

Written Statement of Intent – A statement that describes the applicant’s need for or interest in this program, leadership roles or intent for leadership roles in the agency, willingness to complete the yearlong Leadership Academy. Which includes evidence of vision in terms of what you hope to achieve as a leader, involvement in the Association thus far (subcommittees/chair of subcommittee), involvement with project development within the department and/or your community. A statement regarding commitment to growth and steps you have taken thus far.

The application must be completed, and all required documents submitted by midnight Central Standard Time (CST)) on November 1^st. If you have questions regarding the Leadership Academy or the application process, please contact: association1969@ipcsa.org or call 309-349-5884.