APPA’s Leadership Academy prepares educational facilities professionals to become effective leaders with the skills to create thriving cultures of trust and lifelong learning that they can take back to their institutions. A comprehensive course for educational facilities professionals, the Academy touches on all aspects of successful FM leadership skills: individual, interpersonal, managerial, and organizational.
Core Curriculum
Available both in-person and virtual programming, this interactive learning experience is based on proven leadership development solutions. Facilities professionals progress through four levels of instruction:
- Individual Effectiveness Skills (Level I)
- Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills (Level II)
- Managerial Effectiveness Skills (Level III)
- Organizational Effectiveness Skills (Level IV)
After the course is completed, the student receives a certificate of completion and is eligible to receive continuing education units (CEUs).
On-Campus & Virtual Offerings
Want to host the Leadership Academy on your campus? Contact the APPA Professional Development team.
July 28-30, 2025 | Leadership Academy – Level III (Campus Only) Michigan State University East Lansing, MI |
November 3-5, 2025 | Leadership Academy – Level IV (Campus Only) Michigan State University East Lansing, MI |
November 10-14, 2025 | Leadership Academy – Level II (In-Person) Clemson University Register Now Recommended Hotel |
November 11-13, 2025 | Leadership Academy Level III (Campus Only) University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX |

The Next Leadership Academy
Join us June 2-5, 2025, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for a premier professional development experience designed for facilities professionals and leaders in education.
Programs at APPA-U
Attendees of the Leadership Academy described it as:
“phenomenal … a great learning experience.” “It’s helping me be the leader that I’ve been called to be.”


“We want the Academy to make a difference in your life. Take time to know and understand the concepts. Leadership can be learned and applied to any role in your life, professional or personal.”
– Paula Farnsworth, Dean of the Academy
If you have any questions, please contact APPA’s Professional Development staff.