ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE: A FIRST-RATE PROGRAM
 

David A. Mesko was very impressed with this year’s AMI, held July 23–28 at Cornell University. “It’s a first-rate program,” said Mesko, Director of Finance at the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Georgetown University. “Of the many NACUBO and other professional development programs I have attended, AMI was by far the most productive.” He especially appreciated the interaction between participants, as well as the networking opportunities, which he felt created an ideal environment for an open and healthy exchange of ideas. “I will be encouraging others from GU to attend next year’s AMI. The topics covered and the mindset created by attending the program will be useful for many in my organization.”

Co-sponsored by EACUBO, this acclaimed five-day institute provides managers with an opportunity to gain the skills, background, and perspectives they need to succeed in their roles as administrative managers. Participants say AMI is not only valuable to veteran administrators; it is also ideal for new managers.

“As a newcomer to higher education, I enjoyed meeting college administrators from across the country. I came away from AMI with a new appreciation for what college administrators do,” said Dan Navarro, Director of Academic Computing Services at the University of Maryland. “I especially liked the ‘Fiduciary Responsibility’ and ‘Creating our Future Together’ sessions, which stressed using leadership skills to promote the interests of our academic environment without running afoul of the institution’s rules and regulations.”

Participants agreed that one of the key benefits of AMI is the opportunity to meet and network with administrators from around the country. “The interactive nature of the sessions is a huge benefit as it provides an opportunity to discuss issues and experiences and apply the lessons in a relaxed environment,” said AMI participant Michael Monaghan, Senior Managing Auditor for Risk Management and Audit Services at Harvard University. “The size of the program is ideal to facilitate individual contribution, interactive workshops, and related discussion.”

Through workshops, case studies, and interactive sessions, the institute expanded participants’ awareness of changes, trends, and issues shaping the work of unit managers and their institutions; helped them update and develop technical skills and knowledge; and provided them with detailed and immediate practical applications. In addition, participants had the opportunity to hear, question, and interact with senior university administrators and exemplary administrative managers.

Heidi McCoy, Administrative Management Intern in the Office of the Executive VP and CEO at Virginia Tech touted the weeklong institute, saying, “The variety of subject matter was great and highly relevant to anyone working in higher education.” McCoy said that while she took something from all of the sessions, she gleaned information from “Employment Law” that will be immediately valuable, specifically, how to deal with difficult employees while protecting yourself legally. “AMI was by far the best conference I have attended in the past three years!”

In addition to AMI’s cornerstone presentation by Thomas J. Champoux on building leadership skills and managing change, this year’s highlights included timely presentations on IT security, compliance issues, and an engaging interactive theatre presentation by the Cornell Interactive Theatre Ensemble (CITE). Additional topics including current issues in employment law, improving business practices, risk management, fiduciary responsibility, dynamic negotiations, and hot topics in higher education. “The sessions were so interesting,” said Lisa Marrano, Associate Director in the Office of Student Accounts at SUNY Fredonia. “Our after-hour discussions became an extension of the learning experienced during the day.”

James R. Adams, Director of Utilities and Energy Management at Cornell University, neatly summed up the broad range of opportunities, by saying “Whether you’re a rising star or a weathered veteran, I would encourage everyone involved in university administration to participate in AMI.”

For more information about next year's institute, set for July 29–August 3, 2007, or to reserve a space now, contact the Administrative Management Institute, Cornell University, Box 533, B20 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-2801; Telephone: 607 255-7259; Fax: 607 255-9697;
E-mail: cusp@cornell.edu; Web: www.sce.cornell.edu/ami