The idea of a CUPA-HR “Navigator” for leadership development takes form from what makes our association special and unique: the importance and value of connecting and engaging with other higher ed HR leaders. Navigators will take direction from the Director of Leadership Development with specific roles and responsibilities to be determined. Navigators will:
Facilitate small groups of higher ed HR leaders to identify challenges, share ideas, and connect individuals to their higher ed HR peers and CUPA-HR resources.
Serve as a conduit to help individuals seek assistance, help, and support from other members.
Assist with the delivery of development and educational experiences for members via webinars, in-person workshops and other key member interactions.
Navigator Preparation
Upon identifying the initial cohort of Navigators, CUPA-HR will build a series of experiences and strategies to meet all the criteria as identified for the role. The preparation will take place through a series of virtual meetings and in-person at the Association Leadership Program (ALP) in July of 2025. Included will be:
A consistent model for engagement for all to utilize during interactions with participating members.
Advanced exposure and focus on all current CUPA-HR resources available to members, including the CHRO Leadership website landing page, articles, toolkits, reports, programs, workshops, webinars, etc.
Strategies and measures of success for the role including contact time, follow-up with participating members, individual experiences offered through solicited feedback, etc.
Use of CUPA-HR platforms and tools to measure engagement and interaction with participating members.
Navigator Commitment
One to three-year term
ALP attendance July 2025
Navigators working with CHROs should be employed in or recently retired from a CHRO role at a higher education institution that is an active member of CUPA-HR’s national association.
Coordinated and directed by the CUPA-HR Director of Leadership Development
Navigator Expectations
Lead/facilitate regular virtual small group engagement activities (biweekly or monthly) and potential in-person engagement activities at CUPA-HR spring or annual conference.
Consistently meet with an assigned group of CUPA-HR CHRO members.
Navigators will work with CUPA-HR to identify individual CHROs for contact.
Navigators will meet with assigned individuals monthly.
Navigators will hold a facilitated group meeting at least once each quarter.
Navigators will share data and contact information with CUPA-HR each quarter. Templates and tools to be provided.
Identification and Recruitment of CHROs
Initial focus of new CHROs (assumed role within the last 1-2 years)
Identify CHROs with greatest CUPA-HR member engagement/activity:
Attend CUPA-HR events
Engage with their CUPA-HR chapter or attend chapter events
Have been identified by CUPA-HR for recruitment
CUPA-HR will provide recruitment lists and contact information to Navigators.
CUPA-HR will provide templates for initial contact and recruitment of CHROs.
Initial groups to be assigned for Navigators will be between 5-10 individual CHROs.
Expected Navigator Monthly Time Commitment
Individual Monthly Meetings – 10-12 Hours/Month
5-10 CHROs
Administrative/Coordination/Communication
Administrative Work – 2-4 Hours/Month
Using CUPA-HR CHRO Portal (to monitor and share information)
Sourcing people and information
Other Time Commitments
Quarterly Facilitated Group Meetings (1 hour)
Information Collection and Sharing With CUPA-HR (1-2 hours)
The Navigator Community
Check out the CUPA-HR Navigator Community for all the latest discussions and ideas.
