After nearly ten months of development sessions, interviews, and panels, Arizona Western College Chief of Staff Ashley Herrington was selected to be part of a world-first, tailor-made certification program at the University of Oxford Business School in England.
On September 5, Herrington joined fellows from the Chief of Staff Association at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School for the Chief of Staff Executive Education Certification Program. This professional growth opportunity contextualizes the chief of staff role within the global community, enabling participants to learn from experts and each other to gain a better understanding of how to respond to the unique challenges they face in their dynamic positions.
Forty-five chiefs of staff working in diverse fields and sectors across the world came together for a week of deep reflection, debate, and discussion, guided by contributions from leading academics and high-profile speakers. Participants were also encouraged to share best practices learned in their careers and current roles.
“We are very proud of Ashley for completing such a prestigious and rigorous program of study,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. “Her newly acquired skills and insight will augment her already impressive contributions as AWC’s Chief of Staff.”
The curriculum brought themes of governance, resilience, leadership, and corporate diplomacy together while supporting the importance of networking and culture-building through change.
“Participating in the Oxford Business School Chief of Staff Certificate Program was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Herrington. “The rigor of learning with Oxford faculty alongside peers in similar positions with experiences representing various political roles, businesses, and international agencies, was incredibly humbling and transformative. As one of only two professionals bringing a lens of the impact and role of education, especially higher education, to this international program, the program allowed me the opportunity to learn from other industries and inform the importance of an educated community to support business and industry, regardless of the state, region, or country.”
The program was offered during the same week as the Prime Minister elections and Liz Truss’ oath of office, followed by the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, which occurred within the same hour of Herrington’s graduation.
“Earning a certificate from the University of Oxford during this week of historic change in Great Britain was quite the experience,” she said.
The group also had the opportunity to spend an evening at Exeter College for a discussion with Sir Alex Younger, former Chief of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
Original source can be found here.
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