Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the ASCENT Leadership Program?
A.
The ASCENT Leadership Program is a collaborative effort, currently sponsored and governed by eight state agencies, to build Transformational Leadership capacity within Oregon state government. Any state employee, with manager approval, can participate in ASCENT programs. Our services are available to employees at all levels of state government. ASCENT seeks to create a leadership community across agencies and reinforces the notion that one can lead from any chair.
Q. What is a transformational leader?
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Transformational leaders are purposeful, values-based, visionary, ethical and inspiring. They strive for increased self-awareness by continuously seeking feedback from all sources and incorporating it into their development. They identify needed change in organizations and enroll others in co-creating the desired future vision.
Q. What is a sponsoring agency?
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A state agency that contributes budget and oversight to support ASCENT program costs and employee salaries. The cost share is determined by agency size. For specific details please contact Paul Egbert, ASCENT Program Manager
Q. How does governance of ASCENT work?
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Sponsoring agencies, under a cooperative agreement, share the governance of the ASCENT Leadership Program. The ASCENT Learning Coalition (ALC) is the program’s governing board and is made up of agency directors or their assigned executive delegate. Key coalition activities include appointing and overseeing program employees, approving annual programs/services, budgets and development activities.
Q. Where is ASCENT located?
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ASCENT is in the Perry House at 880 Winter St. NE in Salem. The Perry House is part of the North Heritage Mall Park just north of Mill Creek.
Q. How do I find out more about ASCENT programs and services?
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You can learn more about ASCENT by visiting the ASCENT website at www.ascentoregon.org or by emailing ASCENT at ascent.program@ascent.oregon.gov. In addition to these options, ASCENT employees are willing to meet with individuals, teams and agency leadership to share information. We also rely on program flyers, annual informational sessions and hundreds of valued alumni to share information. Informational sessions are typically scheduled May through August of each year.
Q. Who can attend an ASCENT program or workshop?
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Any state employee, with manager approval, can participate in an ASCENT program or workshop.
Q. What programs are available through ASCENT?
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ASCENT offers five programs:
1) The Transformational Leadership Program. This is a multi-month (typically 9) program, held once a year and offered either to a non-supervisory employee cohort or to a management/executive supervisory cohort. Formerly known as the Managers’ Leadership Program (MLP) or the Aspiring Leadership Program (ALP) for non-supervisory employees.
2) Promise of Leadership one-day workshop, typically held twice per year.
3) Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset, 4 half-day sessions, typically held twice per year.
4) Leader to Leader, 17 total modules divided into 3 series, designated primarily for supervisors.
5) Authentic Leader, three-day off-site workshop, designated primarily for senior and executive leadership. Made available upon request only and subject to some conditions.
Q. How do I participate in an ASCENT program or workshop?
A.
Participation in an ASCENT program is available either through application, self-enrollment or direct coordination with the ASCENT Program Manager. Details for each program follows:
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The classic 9-month program is a competitive application process normally open the entire month of September consisting of essay questions to gauge readiness and willingness to explore leadership and self-development. Cohorts are typically announced in late October.
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The Promise of Leadership workshop for mixed agency cohorts is available for direct enrollment through Workday Learning. This can be scheduled for an internal agency team directly with the ASCENT Program Manager.
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A Leader to Leader Series for a mixed agency cohort is by direct enrollment in Workday Learning. This can be scheduled for an internal agency team directly with the ASCENT Program Manager.
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The Authentic Leader workshop is scheduled directly with the ASCENT Program Manager.
Q. What do I need to know before I apply for the Transformation Leadership Program?
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This is ASCENT’s most resourced and comprehensive program and is offered either to a non-supervisory employee cohort or management supervisory cohort. The rigor is significant and includes 18 workshop days, 1:1 and small group coaching, outside reading, homework and application of content outside workshop sessions. The Promise of Leadership workshop is included as one of the session days. The application is competitive, gauges readiness, willingness, and high alignment to engage in leadership and self-development. Alumni graduates recommend a cohort of 25. The program runs January to September. Tuition is $3600.
Q. What do I need to know before I enroll in Promise of Leadership?
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The workshop is 6.5 hours in length and provides orientation to The Leadership Circle Profile 360 (LCP 360). The workshop includes a 90-minute coaching debrief within 4 business days. The workshop is offered twice per year. Maximum enrollment is 25. Tuition is $595 for 2023 and $650 for 2024. This may also be scheduled directly with the ASCENT Program Manager.
Q. What do I need to know before I enroll in Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset workshop?
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The workshop is 4 half-day virtual sessions (16 total hours) and covers mindset content and tools from the Arbinger Institute. The workshop is offered twice per year. Maximum enrollment is 35. Tuition is $795 per person or 2 for $1400. This may also be scheduled directly with the ASCENT Program Manager.
Q. What do I need to know before I enroll in Leader to Leader?
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The LCP 360 is a prerequisite and modules support ongoing development grounded in the LCP 360 competencies and other relevant leadership topics. Sessions are virtual. Leader to Leader is 17 total modules delivered as three separate series. Each series contains up to six modules. Workshops are 4-6 hours in length held every 4-8 weeks. Cohorts range from 8-15 in size. Tuition is $795 per person or 2 for $1400. Please speak with the ASCENT Program Manager about program availability.
Q. What do I need to know before I schedule Authentic Leader?
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This workshop is facilitated by an outside consultant partner, held at an offsite venue, and is reserved for senior and executive level leaders. It can be provided to intact executive teams or mixed agency cohorts. This workshop requires the LCP 360 and is followed by a 90-minute coaching debrief. The minimum cohort size is 16 with a maximum of 23. Venue is arranged by participant agency/agencies. Tuition is $2900. Tuition does not include costs for venue, travel or meals. Please speak with the ASCENT Program Manager about program availability.
Q. What if my agency lacks budget for tuition?
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The ASCENT coalition established a scholarship fund to assist with the tuition burden and is applied on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please contact the ASCENT Program Manager.