I.G.N.I.T.E.

What is I.G.N.I.T.E.?

The I.G.N.I.T.E. program at Life University is committed to cultivating a dynamic community of future leaders, mentors, researchers, and scholars. Through a comprehensive curriculum in one of three tracks–Leadership, Teach, or Research–I.G.N.I.T.E. empowers faculty and staff to develop the skills, confidence, and creativity necessary to make meaningful contributions to the academic community and world at large.

Inspiring – Be motivated to explore, question, and innovate
Growth – Expand your skill set and leadership capacity
Nurturing – Learn how to mentor and collaborate effectively
Innovation – Design creative, high-impact programs
Training – Participate in hands-on, didactic learning
Excellence – Embrace best practices and ethics

Leadership

The Life Leadership Development Program (LLDP) is designed to equip staff and faculty with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to transition into leadership roles. The program provides mentorship, training, and hands-on experiences to foster professional and personal growth.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to full-time staff and faculty members with at least two years of service.
Demonstrated interest in leadership through previous roles, projects, or initiatives.
Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Commitment to completing all components of the program.

Program Structure

A. Leadership Training Sessions

Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making
Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Styles
Conflict Resolution & Team Management
Effective Communication & Public Speaking
Equity in Leadership

B. Mentorship & Coaching

Each participant will be paired with a mentor from the senior leadership team.
Quarterly one-on-one coaching sessions.

C. Hands-on Leadership Experience

Leadership project tied to a department or university initiative.
Job shadowing opportunities with senior leaders.
Committee work, event planning, or task forces.

D. Performance & Feedback

Self-assessments and 360-degree feedback.
Certificate of completion; consideration for leadership roles.

Expectations & Responsibilities

Attend at least 80% of training sessions and mentorship meetings.
Engage actively in discussions and projects.
Collaborate with colleagues and mentors.
Apply leadership skills in practical contexts.

Application & Selection Process

A statement of interest explaining program motivation.
A letter of recommendation from a supervisor/department head.
A resume outlining current and past leadership roles.

Evaluation & Program Success

Engagement in training and mentorship.
Impactful leadership project completion.
Feedback from mentors, peers, and supervisors.
Annual program review for continuous improvement.

Contact

Email: HR@life.edu

Teach

IGNITE-Teach helps faculty enhance their teaching through innovative course design and active learning strategies. Faculty will participate in workshops, collaborate on teaching practices, and create more engaging student experiences.

Launch Date

January 2026

Program Includes

Workshops and group sessions.
Course design practicums.
Student engagement strategies.
Active learning implementation.

Contact

Email: CETL@life.edu

Research

I.G.N.I.T.E.-Research aims to empower chiropractic researchers with the tools and support needed to drive impactful scientific discoveries.

Who Should Apply?

Any faculty or staff curious about research and scholarly work.
Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or research leader.
Anyone ready to develop, execute, and share their own research projects.

Program Includes

Workshops and seminars.
Mentorship development.
Research design and analysis training.
Peer collaboration.
Writing and publishing support.
Presentation coaching.

Expectations

Attend & complete all self-guided courses, practicums, & roundtables within each of the sections.
Undertake research aligned with the aims of Life U’s Center for Chiropractic Research (CCR).
Commit to at least 18 months in the program at a minimum of 5 hours of work per week.

Program Advisors

Tyson Perez, DC, PhD – tyson.perez@life.edu
Stephanie Wakefield, PhD – stephanie.wakefield@life.edu
Andrew McIntosh, PhD – andrew.mcintosh@life.edu
Christie Kwon, DC, MPH – christie.kwon@life.edu
Stephanie Sullivan, DC, PhD – stephanie.sullivan@life.edu

Contact

Email: CHARLI@life.edu