September 7 - November 29, 2026

Professor: Dr. Jane Bonbright

Tuition: $550 member / $650 non-member

12 Weeks; 3 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

**Optional add-on** College Credits through Oakland University: 3

Great leaders don't simply react to challenges—they anticipate them, inspire others, and create opportunities for meaningful change. But what sets exceptional leaders apart? Is leadership an innate talent, or can it be developed through knowledge, experience, and intentional practice? In this course, you'll discover that effective leadership is a skill that can be learned, refined, and applied. Through strategic thinking, ethical decision- making, and practical application, you'll build the confidence and capabilities to lead with purpose in today's dynamic professional world.

Leadership is more than managing people—it's about understanding how to inspire others, navigate complexity, solve problems, and create meaningful change. Throughout this course, you'll examine the essential roles of ethics, integrity, and character while learning how effective leaders develop and execute strategies that produce results.

Drawing on ideas from cognitive psychology, systems thinking, and game theory, you'll explore four powerful approaches to strategic leadership that help leaders gain insight, drive innovation, and achieve their goals. You'll also discover four distinct leadership styles—visionary, directive, incubating, and collaborative—and learn when and how to apply each one effectively.

Learning goes beyond theory. Through engaging case studies, self-assessments, and reflective activities, you'll evaluate your own leadership strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and apply course concepts to authentic personal and professional situations. You'll also develop a Learning Opportunity case study that demonstrates your ability to think strategically and lead with purpose. 

Whether you aspire to lead a dance program, manage an arts organization, direct a studio, or inspire others in any professional setting, this course will equip you with practical leadership tools, strategic decision-making skills, and the confidence to lead with vision, integrity, and impact.

Book required: Olson, Aaron K. & Simerson, B. Keith. (2015). Leading with Strategic Thinking: For Ways Effective Leaders Gain Insight, Drive Change, and Get Results. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

To receive college credit for this course in addition to PDCs, you must register through Oakland University by scheduling an advising session and finalizing your registration through OU before the August 15 deadline.

Questions about this Course?  Email opdi@ndeo.org

"This course was beyond my expectations, I received so much support and guidance. I did not expect to achieve so much towards my professional development. I have been on a hunt since my transition out of a performing career into my next career, I had a vague idea of what I wanted but now have a very clear idea of what I need to work towards, and all the steps broken down into small achievable tasks in order to reach my next career, potentially I feel this is my life’s purpose and so am thrilled to have it figured out and know how to get it done!— I could not have done this without all the support I received from this course, so I am eternally grateful for this!"

"It helped me feel prepared for an opportunity that presented itself during the actual course. I liked that Jane made herself available for any questions or concerns we had. I also thought it was great seeing and responding to others and their opportunities. Helped to connect and find out what others are doing in the field of dance."

"This course gave me time to think about the skills I have developed as a teacher and how to apply them more broadly. It gave me the opportunity to get honest with myself about my strengths and weaknesses and what I really need to do to be the type of leader that I want to be. It was a supportive and empowering course environment with the opportunity to apply lessons to real, personal examples."

"It made me see that much of what I do is in alignment with best practices as a leader, so that was reassuring. It also helped me see where I can improve, and the many resources that are out there to help me figure out how to navigate the pitfalls of leadership. I really liked the pace and depth of the assignments, and I LOVED the readings, particularly those related to virtues and ethics. I've always believed that you need to lead by example, and it was so refreshing to know that is a proven fact!"

"The course exceeded my expectations in many ways. It benefitted me as a teacher in helping to validate some of the values I had already established in my classroom, and to help me devise strategies to increase respect for my position and the work I do within my school. It also applied to other roles I play within the community, which was a surprise but ultimately very valuable for me. I enjoyed the opportunity for self-reflection, and the incredibly insightful feedback of the instructor. She was genuinely invested in our success."

"I feel more prepared to take on leadership roles within my organization, as well as create opportunities for my students. I appreciate the feedback from Dr. Bonbright regarding my leadership opportunity. I feel more confident in my skills not only as a dance educator, but as a leader in the field."

Jane Bonbright, Ed.D earned her doctorate in education from Temple University and has devoted more than fifty-five years to advancing the field of dance through performance, education, research, administration, and arts advocacy at both the national and state levels. She began her career as a professional ballet dancer, touring Europe and the United States with major ballet companies. She later spent thirty-five years teaching in professional training academies, K–12 after-school programs, colleges, and universities before turning her focus to national leadership in arts education policy, legislation, and funding.

Dr. Bonbright served as President and Executive Director of the National Dance Association before becoming the Founding Executive Director of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) in 1998. Under her leadership, NDEO grew into a leading nation service organization for dance education, championing the inclusion of dance as an art form in U.S. education. In the process, she collaborated with more than 100 federal and state agencies and arts education organizations to ensure dance was included in national initiatives.

During her tenure as Executive Director, she directed landmark national initiatives including Research in Dance Education (2001–2005), Professional Teaching Standards for Dance in the Arts (2005), NCAS Core Arts Standards in Dance (2014), and several editions of the Opportunity-to-Learn Standards that cite industry standards. She is widely published in journals and authored Research Priorities for Dance Education: A Report to the Nation (2005) and EVIDENCE: A Report on the Impact of Dance in the K-12 Setting (2012).

Dr. Bonbright was inducted into Temple University's Gallery of Success (1996) and received  the Congress on Research in Dance (CORD) Outstanding Leadership in Dance Education Award (2005), the Council of Dance Administrators (CODA) Alma Hawkins Award of Excellence in Dance Education (2007), and the National Dance Education Organization Lifetime Achievement Award (2009).

Today, Dr. Bonbright continues to contribute her expertise to the field by serving as an expert witness in legal cases across the United States involving dance education and performance.

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