GOAL Academy

FY20 GOAL Academy Enrollment

Registration Open May 29 - June 19, 2019!

Am I eligible?

Review the program eligibility criteria & FAQ

Take a Test Drive

Check out a real GOAL Academy assignment

Program Purpose

Discover learning objectives and leadership competencies

Watch the Video

from the Center for Park Management

GOAL Academy Testimonials and Impact

Have you heard?

GOAL Academy Class Projects

Check out their impressive work

GOAL Academy Participants

Discover current participants and program graduates

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About the Program

The Generating Organizational Advancement and Leadership (GOAL) Academy started as a grassroots program at the park level in Grand Canyon and has grown into one of the most sought-after nationally-based leadership programs in NPS. Pairing top-notch development experts with examples of leadership excellence, this program offers an unsurpassed learning environment for leadership soft skills.

Click on the sliding photos to the left for specific program information:
1 of 8 – Registration
2 of 8 – Eligibility & FAQ
3 of 8 – Test Drive an Assignment
4 of 8 – Program Purpose
5 of 8 – Promotional Video
6 of 8 – Testimonials & Impact
7 of 8 – Class Projects
8 of 8 – Participants

News & Events

FY20 GOAL Academy Registration Open May 29 – June 19, 2019
Announcing: Registration for the FY19 GOAL Academy is open June... Keep Reading
Save the Date: GOAL Academy Class Project Presentations and Graduation
Learn more about the GOAL Academy and this year's action... Keep Reading

See All News & Events

Meet The Team

Cheryl Eckhardt

Program Overview

Emphasizing the concept of Lead Where You Are Now, this annually-hosted program is a blended learning experience that includes approximately 260 curriculum hours over the course of 9 months (September 1 – May 31):

3 in-person residential sessions (96.0 hours)
8 webinars (20.0 hours)
class project presentation webinars (10.0 hours)
8 monthly assignments (48.0 hours)
a class project (40.0 hours)
a mentorship (18.0 hours)
(2) 360-degree personal evaluations (8.0 hours)
an online asynchronous 5-week course (20.0 hours)

The GOAL Academy is centrally-funded, with all costs (tuition, travel, supplies) covered mutually by WASO Learning and Development and NPS Regional Offices. ~~The exception to this is the Pacific West region in which costs are shared between WASO and the benefiting account (park or program).~~ Correction for FY20: the Pacific West region is covering these costs so there is no direct cost to the PWR parks.

“Absolutely unmatched personal, peer, and professional development.” – – GOAL Academy graduate