Ignatian Leadership Development Program (ILDP)

Launched in 2022, the Ignatian Leadership Development Program (ILDP) enhances the University鈥檚 commitment to the formation of faculty and staff, in concert with the University鈥檚 Strategic Directions. Through a combination of workshops, retreats and leadership coaching, ILDP seeks to develop leaders to serve in truly transformational ways that further the mission of Boston College and strengthen its institutional culture.

Want more information? Contact Bernie O'Kane, Director, Employee Development.
Bernie.Okane@bc.edu
Ignation Leadership Development Program

What Will You Achieve Through ILDP?

By participating in the Ignatian Leadership Development Program, participants will develop:

Greater Inspiration and Understanding

  • Motivation to align leadership practice with 鈥渢he greater good鈥
  • Deeper understanding of BC鈥檚 Jesuit, Catholic heritage and leadership rooted in the Ignatian tradition
  • Deeper understanding of 鈥渟elf as leader: strengths, areas of development, values, biases and worldview"

Focus on Implementation

  • Ability to apply and adapt leadership best practices in a Jesuit, Catholic context

Practice of Ongoing Reflection

  • Increased integration of reflection and discernment practices in their work
  • Ability to assess effectiveness of leadership behaviors and results

What Does ILDP Look Like?

Below is the structure and content of the 10-month cohort-based leadership program.

Progam Modules

The program consists of four modules presented in the following order:

  • Journey with Self
  • Journey with Others
  • Focus on Results
  • Organizational Leadership

Integrated Lenses

The modules will be presented and viewed through three integrated lenses:

  • Ignatian leadership:听Leadership that is deeply rooted in the Spiritual Exercises, Jesuit history, and Ignatian values
  • Inclusive leadership:听Acting as a steward of the community by honoring diversity, practicing fairness, and fostering a culture of belonging, where all members are respected, supported, and able to contribute fully
  • Organizational leadership:听Information regarding the theory and practical application of leadership with a focus on what is best for both individuals and a group as a whole

Program Components

The comprehensive program includes the following components:

  • 10-month cohort-based program:听Approximately sixteen members will meet monthly for full-day workshops starting in September and concluding in June.
  • Two retreat experiences:听
    • A two-day overnight retreat for Module 1 in October
    • A four-day 鈥渞eflective鈥 retreat after Module 4 in June
  • Leadership coaching sessions:听Participants are matched with a coach and have an opportunity for a chemistry check. They then work with their coach to complete self-assessments and a multirater (360-degree) feedback review, culminating in a personalized development plan.
  • Service Learning experience:听Rooted in the University鈥檚 mission, 鈥淭o whom much is given, much is expected,鈥 this experience challenges participants in service both within and beyond our community. Past projects include volunteering at the Pine Street Inn homeless shelter.听
  • Action Learning Projects: Participants work in small groups, guided by project sponsors, to tackle real challenges at BC. Using a structured, hands-on process, teams design mission-driven projects that culminate in 鈥淪hark Tank鈥-style presentations to senior leaders, with opportunities for ongoing collaboration and innovation.
  • Capstone event:听Each participant provides a brief presentation reflecting on their ILDP learning journey

How Can You Join the Next ILDP Cohort?

Participants are selected through a nomination process, in alignment with the ILDP selection criteria below. In the fall, potential candidates are identified through dialogue between Human Resources and functional vice presidents, deans and other senior leaders. Every effort is made to ensure a heterogeneous cohort. Identified candidates are interviewed by a team of program administrators and program alumni. Final selections are made in early December, and participants are notified shortly thereafter. A commitment to attend all sessions is expected.

Note: Employees interested in applying to the program should discuss the application process with their supervisors.

Requirements

The ILDP cohort is made up of high-performing Boston College faculty/staff who have a proven record of producing tangible, mission-driven results to the University. The cohort is made up of individuals from diverse backgrounds (age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, etc.) with a diversity of thought. All cohort members must have completed two years of service to the University and are positioned at the Director level or above. Those who have completed ICP are not eligible for ILDP.

ILDP Cohort Members are Committed To

Full participation and engagement

  • Show up: make the programmatic time commitment and attend all monthly sessions (can miss one), retreats, complete pre-work, etc.
    • Monthly sessions: 8 full day sessions on campus (January, March, April, May, June, September, October, December)
    • Retreats: 2-day retreat in February, 4-day retreat in June听
  • All-in: take an active, engaged role in ILDP sessions through active listening, discussion, etc.听
  • Relationship building: work to intentionally build supportive and trusting relationships with other members of the cohort to meaningfully contribute to the group process听
  • Openness: willingness to exercise humility and vulnerability to grow personally, socially, emotionally, professionally and spiritually
  • Risk-taking and Innovation: willingness to explore beyond one鈥檚 comfort zone, take lessons learned and test them in work setting, lean in to the 鈥magis鈥 to do more and be more

Reflection and Feedback

  • The program requires cohort members to demonstrate emotional intelligence, an openness to self reflection (retreat, coaching, etc.) and an openness to self and programmatic feedback (360, coaching, cohort relationships, etc.). The program seeks regular feedback from cohort members about programmatic processes and implementation for continuous improvement

Lifelong learning and professional growth and development听

  • An interest in digging into the literature to understand current trends in leadership and organizational development in order to grow professionally听
  • Completion of the monthly ILDP session pre-reading/pre-work requirements to make a meaningful contribution to the group

ILDP Alumni Network

Alumni Engagement

ILDP alumni continue to be vital partners in shaping and strengthening the Ignatian Leadership Development Program. In recent years, alumni have played key roles in advising the facilitation team, serving on the selection committee, and co-facilitating sessions with the current cohort. Alumni have also offered feedback to refine new program elements and have helped ensure ILDP remains relevant, responsive, and grounded in Ignatian values.

We are committed to deepening the connection between ILDP alumni and the broader Boston College community. In 2025, we launched new alumni programming designed to further alumni leadership development and foster an active and supportive alumni network.

The ILDP Alumni Series

Launched in June 2025, the ILDP Alumni Series offers quarterly, two-hour events exclusively for ILDP alumni. These sessions are designed to provide meaningful opportunities for continued learning, reflection, and connection.

A distinctive feature of the series is the opportunity for alumni to take an active role in shaping its direction and content. Each event is co-designed in partnership with a rotating alumni Steering Committee, who helps lead the planning process, contribute ideas and content, and takes on facilitation roles. In addition, alumni may participate as speakers or panelists, sharing insights from their leadership journeys and professional experiences.听

The ILDP Alumni Series aims to:

  • Support the ongoing leadership development of ILDP alumni
  • Foster a strong sense of community across cohorts
  • Create enriching experiences rooted in reflection, connection, and shared learning

听Each event includes:

  • Leadership enrichment content and interactive discussions
  • Moments of reflection grounded in Ignatian principles
  • Opportunities for networking and connection across cohorts

Benefits Include:

  • Continued Growth: Stay engaged in your leadership journey through tailored, relevant programming.
  • Stronger Network: Deepen relationships with fellow alumni and expand your leadership network.
  • Increased Connection: Stay rooted in the ILDP and 成人快手communities while contributing to the growth of others.
  • Shared Ownership: Play a meaningful role in shaping the alumni experience.

ILDP Alumni Directory

A dedicated directory to help alumni connect across cohorts, easily identify areas of expertise and foster collaboration within the 成人快手community.

We look forward to growing this vibrant community of Ignatian leaders and are grateful for the ongoing commitment and presence of our alumni.

ILDP Facts & Figures

4

Program Cohorts

16

Participants per Cohort

64

Total ILDP Alumni

In the News

St. Ignatius statue on BC's campus

An Ignatian focus on leadership

A new Boston College professional development program aims to cultivate leadership skills informed by Ignatian values.

成人快手News Article

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