The Advanced Applied Leadership Program (AALP) is a cohort-based, comprehensive certificate program designed to help aspiring mid-level and senior managers make the transition from functional roles to effective, big picture, strategic leadership in their organizations. The eight-month program offers a highly engaging experience that fosters personal and professional growth while providing skills and insights for immediate application at work.
The Brief
AALP Summary
The Advanced Applied Leadership Program, offered through Executive Education of Millsaps College Else School of Management, is a comprehensive certificate program designed to help aspiring mid-level and senior managers and executives, make the transition from functional leadership to effective, big picture, executive leadership.
Participant Profile
Mid-level and senior career executives, with expanding general management or cross-function responsibilities, who want to sharpen their strategic, analytical, and leadership skills.
Key Takeaways
Participants gain the knowledge necessary to lead in today’s increasingly challenging environments; acquiring the analytical, strategic, and leadership skills essential to success.
instructors
AALP co-lead instructors include Deirdre Danahar of InMotion Consulting & Coaching and Chuck Sampson of Charles E. Sampson and Associates. Millsaps current and former faculty instructors include Dr. Blakely Fender and Dr. Kim Burke, former Dean of Millsaps Else School of Management, and now Dean at Meredith College, plus a host of other faculty, instructors, organizations and partnerships facilitating 10+ elective workshops.
program Dates
The AALP program runs from March – October beginning with a half-day orientation in March, followed by a 2-day leadership retreat in April, with core courses occurring one day per month starting in May, as well as a choice of elective workshops each month. The program concludes in October, with a day of Capstone presentations delivered by each participant reflecting their application of skills and talents gained through the program and immediately followed by a graduation reception and ceremony. Sponsors and guests are invited to attend.
Elective Workshops
Executive Coaching
Each participant receives two, one-hour sessions of individual, executive coaching designed to help the participant create and engage in a personal development plan as identified personally, by the organization, and through assessments offered, including a 360˚ Leadership Practices Inventory and Social & Emotional Intelligence Quotient.
Program Investment
Corporate
$12,000 per participant with group discounts and limited scholarships available.
NonProfit
$5,000 per participant for nonprofit, government and public sector thanks to a partnership with The Alliance for Nonprofits & Philanthropy.
STRUCTURE & benefits
HOW the advanced applied leadership program is structured:

Individual organizational project – applied learning, cohort collaboration, with results presented to sponsors.
What can you expect to accomplish through the AALP?
AALP participants and their organizations
gain the ability to:
- Clarify the roles and responsibilities of mid-level, senior and executive leaders and the competencies that distinguish excellence in their role.
- Develop advanced critical thinking and adaptive skills critical to solving complex business problems and aligning talent with opportunity.
- Establish a climate that builds trust, supports robust interaction, and moves a team forward.
- Build a culture of high reliability that, in turn, drives profit, productivity, talent retention, and customer loyalty.
- Create a leadership development plan paralleling distinctive capabilities and aspirations of each participant with those in their organization.
PROGRAM DETAILS
- 1-2 business days per month for 8 months
(March – October) - Cohorts of 15-20 (one annually on campus in Jackson and one biannually on MS Gulf Coast)
- Half-day Orientation (March)
- 2-day Leadership Retreat (April)
- 5 Core Sessions (once a month; weekdays 9a – 4p)
- Choice of 10+ Elective Workshops
(weekdays 9a-3p)
- 360 Leadership Assessment + 2 hours of executive coaching (per participant)
- Capstone Project / Individual presentations
- Graduation reception and ceremony
- In-person is encouraged and recommended; virtual options available on an as needed basis when necessary
- Lunch included for all in-person participants
Core Sessions
Unless specified otherwise, core sessions are from 9am to 4pm with lunch provided.
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Orientation
8:30 – 11:30AM
Welcome, program kickoff, and participant introductions. Meet instructors, faculty and staff; hear from alums, plus an overview of the program schedule, our approach, and a brief review of coursework, assignments and syllabus.
Thursday, April 13 &
Friday, April 14, 2023
leadership
retreat
9:00AM – 5:00PM
(both days*)
*Special dinner together as a cohort immediately following on Thursday
Participants explore insights gained from personality and an 360˚ assessments completed prior to the retreat. Introduces emotional intelligence and baseline profile of individual strengths, weaknesses and development opportunities.
wednesday, May 10, 2023
HIgh impact
communications
with Deirdre Danahar & Chuck Sampson
Uncovers principles of communication that improve an executive’s effectiveness under a variety of challenging conditions. Examines the connection between executive communication, the resulting organizational climate, and impact on speed of strategic execution.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Critical thinking
& decision making
with Drs. Kim Burke and Blakely Fender
Explores how we think and the impact of executive decision-making on organizational performance. Examines behavioral theory as well as analytical tools and methods that improve organizational performance.
Wednesday, july 19, 2023
strategic
leadership
(Case study)
with Professor Gerad Hardy, MBA
Focuses on problems and issues faced by business organizations from a strategic and comprehensive viewpoint. Integrates concepts from all areas of business in order to evaluate issues and recommend approaches to business solutions.
WEDNESDAY, August 9, 2023
productive
Conflict
with Deirdre Danahar & Chuck Sampson
Learn how to better understand conflict management as both a rational and emotional process, as well as examine conflict management styles necessary in the development as a leader (LPI and SEIP). Plus, explores the “mutual gains” approach to managing conflict and negotiation developed by the Program on Negotiation (Harvard, MIT, and Tufts).
WEDNESDAY, September 13, 2023
Cross-Functional
Collaboration
with Deirdre Danahar & Chuck Sampson
Dives into challenges and opportunities present in today’s hierarchal organizations and the territorial thinking that occurs within these organizations.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023
CAPSTONE
WORKDAY
Participants design and execute a presentation that inspires, has personal resonance, integrates the AALP course content, and leverages the insights gained from discussion groups and executive coaching sessions.
Each presentation provides a meaningful outlet for participants to demonstrate how their unique skills, talents and strengths positively impact their organization.
THURSDAY, October 19, 2023
Capstone
Presentations
1:00 to 4:45PM
Individual presentations to AALP fellows, faculty and staff, coaches, sponsors and guests.
graduation
reception &
ceremony
4:45- 6:45PM
(Graduate Presentations @ 5:30)
Contact
For more information about the AALP, contact LeAnne Brewer, Director of Executive & Continuing Education via email at leanne.brewer@millsaps.edu or phone at 601.974.1258.
Testimonials
Learn more about AALP from Kirk Sims
Learn more about AALP from Kimberla Little
Learn more about AALP from Scott Moak
Learn more about AALP from Richie Moore
Learn more about AALP from Dr. Ike Eriator
Learn more about AALP from John McElwain