West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education

Location:	West Virginia
Posted:	May 26, 2026
Due:	Jun 3, 2026
Agency:	West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	U - Education and Training Services
Solicitation No:	RFP 26276 ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Exhibits:

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS #26276

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents

General Information and Instructions to Bidders......................................Page 2

Executive Summary ..................................................................................Page 3

Scope of Services......................................................................................Page 4

Vendor Information and Qualifications ....................................................Page 8

Bidder Responses and Evaluation Criteria ...............................................Page 8

Instructions to Bidders

General Terms and Conditions

Emailing Requirements

Signature/Certification

Addendum Acknowledgement

Questions will be received until May 21, 2026, at 3:00 pm EDT

Proposals will be received until June 3, 2026, at 3:00PM EDT

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP #26276

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Introduction

The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education ("Council") is

seeking proposals from qualified firms to design and facilitate a year-long Academic Leadership

Development Program for aspiring academic leaders across the state's nine public community

and technical colleges. The program will serve faculty members, department chairs, and deans

who seek to strengthen their leadership skills in their current roles or prepare for advancement to

higher levels of academic leadership responsibility within their institutions.

The selected vendor will be responsible for designing a comprehensive, cohort-based

professional development experience that includes two in-person seminars and a series of virtual

learning sessions, all facilitated by subject matter experts with demonstrated expertise in

academic leadership development. The program must actively engage participants through

applied learning, reflection, and peer collaboration rather than passive lecture-based instruction.

The Council anticipates partnering with a West Virginia university to offer graduate college

credit for participants who are pursuing advanced credentials and would benefit from earning

such credit.

1.2 Instructions to Bidders

See Exhibit A for bidder instructions.

1.3 General Terms and Conditions

See Exhibit B.

1.4 Schedule of Events

Event

Date

Release of RFP

May 4, 2026

Question Deadline

3:00 PM (EDT) May 21, 2026

Addendum/Response to Questions

May 27, 2026

Proposal Due Date

3:00 PM (EDT) June 3, 2026

1.5 Posting of Information

This RFP and any addenda, including answers to questions, will be posted

to: https://www.wvhepc.edu/resources/purchasing-and-finance/

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1.6 Proposal Validity

Proposals shall remain in effect ninety (90) days from the submission date.

1.7 Expenses

The Council will not be held liable for any expenses incurred by any bidder responding to this

RFP, including expenses to prepare or deliver the proposal or attend any oral presentation.

1.8 Interviews

Discussions and/or interviews may be held with bidders under final consideration prior to

making a selection for award; however, the RFP may be awarded without such discussions or

interviews.

1.9 Award

It is anticipated that a single contract will be awarded for all services. However, the Council

reserves the right to configure the contract in whatever manner is in its best interests.

SECTION 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2.1 Executive Summary

The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education is committed to

investing in the professional growth and development of employees across the community and

technical college system. Strong academic leadership is essential to institutional effectiveness,

student success, and the long-term vitality of West Virginia's public two-year colleges. By

cultivating leadership talent from within, the Council seeks to build a robust pipeline of future

academic leaders who are prepared to guide their institutions with confidence, vision, and

purpose.

To advance this commitment, the Council is seeking a qualified vendor to design and deliver a

year-long Academic Leadership Development Program for up to 30 participants drawn from

faculty, department chairs, and deans across the system's nine institutions. The program will

provide structured, hands-on professional development that strengthens participants' leadership

competencies, enhances their understanding of academic administration, and prepares them to

excel in their current roles or advance to positions of greater responsibility.

The Council envisions a program that inspires participants to embrace leadership opportunities

while building practical skills in communication, conflict management, team leadership, strategic

thinking, and navigating the complexities of academic governance. Ultimately, this initiative

aims to foster lasting culture change across the system—driven by shared purpose, collective

goals, and a deep commitment to student and institutional success.

2.2 Background Information

West Virginia's community and technical college system comprises nine institutions serving

students and communities in every region of the state. These colleges play a vital role in

expanding access to postsecondary education, preparing students for careers in high-demand

fields, and strengthening the state's workforce.

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Effective academic leadership is critical to fulfilling this mission. Faculty members, department

chairs, and deans serve on the front lines of academic decision-making, curriculum development,

student success initiatives, and institutional planning. Yet many individuals who step into these

roles—or who aspire to do so—have limited access to formal leadership development

opportunities tailored to the unique context of community and technical colleges.

The Academic Leadership Development Program will address this gap by providing a sustained,

cohort-based learning experience that combines in-person seminars with ongoing virtual

engagement throughout the academic year. The program will be grounded in evidence-based

leadership frameworks and facilitated by experienced practitioners who understand the

challenges and opportunities facing academic leaders in two-year institutions.

The Council seeks a vendor partner that shares its commitment to building leadership capacity

from within, fostering inclusive and collaborative learning environments, and delivering

measurable results that strengthen academic leadership across the system.

SECTION 3: SCOPE OF SERVICES

This RFP may contain mandatory provisions identified by the use of the words "must," "will,"

and "shall." Failure to comply with a mandatory term in the RFP will result in bid

disqualification.

3.1 Program Overview

The selected vendor will design and facilitate a year-long Academic Leadership Development

Program that includes the following components:

3.1.1. Fall Semester:

1. One two-day in-person seminar (September or October)

2. Two virtual learning sessions of at least 90 minutes each

3.1.2. Spring Semester:

1. Two virtual learning sessions of at least 90 minutes each

2. One two-day in-person capstone seminar (late spring or early summer)

The program will serve up to 30 participants, including but not limited to faculty members,

department chairs, and deans from across the nine community and technical colleges.

3.2 Required Deliverables

The vendor must provide the following deliverables as part of the proposal and subsequent

contract:

3.2.1 Proposed Learning Objectives and Outcomes

The proposal must include a list of proposed learning objectives and outcomes for the

program. These objectives should address the knowledge, skills, and competencies

participants will develop through the program and should be appropriate for academic leaders

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at the faculty, department chair, and dean levels. Learning objectives may address, but are

not limited to, such topics as:

• Self-awareness and personal leadership development

• Leading and managing others effectively

• Building and leading high-performing teams

• Navigating institutional systems, governance, and change

• Communication, conflict resolution, and difficult conversations

• Strategic thinking and aligning departmental and institutional priorities

• Budget fundamentals and resource management for academic leaders

• Faculty development, evaluation, and performance management

• Curriculum development and program quality

• Work-life balance and sustainable leadership practices

3.2.2 Draft Agendas for In-Person Seminars

The proposal must include high-level draft agendas for both in-person seminars. Agendas

need not be extremely detailed but should provide a clear overview of proposed topics,

session formats, and the flow of each day. Suggested topics may be modified in collaboration

with the Council following vendor selection.

3.2.3 Fall Kickoff Seminar (Two Days):

The fall seminar should establish a strong foundation for the cohort, build community among

participants, and introduce core leadership concepts and frameworks. Sample topics may

include, but are not limited to:

• Defining leadership in the academic context

• Self-assessment and understanding personal leadership strengths

• Building trust and psychological safety

• Giving and receiving feedback effectively

• Navigating difficult conversations

• Foundations of team leadership

3.2.4 Spring Capstone Seminar (Two Days):

The spring seminar should synthesize learning from the year, deepen skill development, and

prepare participants to apply their growth in their home institutions. Sample topics may

include, but are not limited to:

• Leading change in academic environments

• Strategic planning and aligning priorities

• Building coalitions and influencing across the institution

• Governance, faculty relations, and shared decision-making

• Participant presentations (e.g., personal philosophy of leadership)

• Action planning for continued growth

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number	Description	Bid Opening
RFP 26276 ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 26276 Addendum 1 Q&A	West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education Request for Proposals: Professional Services – Academic Leadership Program Development Any questions should be directed to: bid.receipt@wvhepc.edu	Bids will be received until: June 3, 2026 by 3:00 PM EDT

West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education

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See also