You should reach out to one of the following individuals at your institution to secure a recommendation and sponsorship to cover the cost of your attendance: President/Chancellor Provost/Vice-President Academic Affairs Chief Student Affairs Officer Chief Financial/Budget Officer Chief Diversity Officer Chief Advancement/Development Officer Chief Information Technology Officer Chief Human Resources/Talent Management Officer Chief Enrollment/Admissions Officer These are the individuals that you’ll want to have invested in your development and supportive of your growth, both during and after the program. If you’ve never met the senior staff officers in your unit, this application provides a great opportunity to introduce yourself or ask your manager to help make the introduction. You’ll want someone at the top advocating on your behalf to ensure you’re granted the time and resources needed to participate. We will accept a letter of recommendation from your direct manager but a letter from senior leadership will strengthen your candidacy. We’ve included this as an application requirement because we want you to think across the institution and beyond your role. Additionally, we encourage you to discuss the availability of funding for your attendance at the time you request your recommendation. These senior officers typically approve the release of additional professional development funding. Even if you don’t think funding will be available, we encourage you to still make the ask. No matter what, it will increase your visibility — and you may be surprised by the response.