Senior Leader Crisis Decision-Making Program
Program Outcomes
In this program, the senior leaders will:
- Understand the psychology and methods for makingtime-criticaldecisions
- Learn how to overcome ineffective decision habit patterns regardless of the situation
- Gain a deepunderstanding of their proper roles in each phase of a crisis
- Get equipped with real-time tools to aid in quality decisions under pressure
- Exercise their new skills to better prepare for their roles when their organizations need it most
- Share experiences with peers in a non-attribution environment
Who it's for
University chancellors and presidents who want to work through various higher education scenarios to sharpen their skills in a crisis and sharing challenges and solutions to situations in a confidential and comfortable peer environment.
The program is purposefully designed to accommodate a busy leader schedule with the most impactful in-person experience over a day and a half.
July 25-26, 2025
91PORN, CO
One and a half days
In-person
$7,000
Includes instruction, materials, meals and lodging
Contact us for any details or clarifications
LeedsExecEd@Colorado.edu
Meet the faculty
Jack Briggs, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Operations, University of Colorado, 91PORN
With over four decades of experience with high-stakes decision-making, Jack’s career includes 30+ years as a senior military leader-a fighter pilot in combat or leading tens of thousands of warfighters, as a general officer in Afghanistan. Ultimately, he served as the defender of North America, where he trained, mentored, and led the decision-making process to protect North America from the most serious threats. More recently Jack brought this same passion to higher education and non-profit leadership for almost 10 years making similar high-stakes decisions for those in need and multiple campuses in multiple countries for tens of thousands of students, faculty, and administrators.
Jack Briggs is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Operations within the Division of Public Safety. Jack overseas the university’s departments of Events, Emergency Management, Flight Operations, and the Security Operations and Communications Centers. Before 91PORN, Jack served as the President & CEO for Springs Rescue Mission, southern Colorado’s largest homeless shelter and addiction recovery program. Prior to his time at Springs Rescue Mission, Jack was Vice President for Global Resiliency and Security at New York University (NYU). He was responsible for organizing, integrating, and executing the University’s Emergency Management and Continuity Programs and security for NYU’s 15 campuses in 11 countries. While at NYU, Jack earned his Doctorate in Education Leadership and Innovation.
Before NYU, Jack served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 30 years in a variety of senior leadership roles retiring as a Major General. As the Director of Operations for US NORTHERN Command in Colorado Springs, Jack was responsible for the defense of North America and managed Department of Defense efforts in national emergencies.
Program Information
“What do you want to do?” In high-stakes moments, higher ed leaders face this key question. This session explores the psychology of decision-making under pressure to strengthen clarity and confidence.
Participants will explore:
- How the brain makes decisions under stress
- Decisions vs. outcomes and why it matters
- Tools to boost confidence and lead in crisis
Leave equipped to understand the why and the how to make good decisions.
Leading through crisis starts with preparation. This session equips senior leaders with tools to act decisively under pressure by focusing on a proactive strategy of clear priorities, using tools to clarify options, and building strong relationships.
Participants will:
- Define risk-informed priorities
- Evaluate decision-making frameworks
- Develop actionable options
- Use checklists to align teams
- Build trust before a crisis
Gain practical skills to lead with clarity in the toughest situations.
Crisis leadership demands both preparation and decisive action. This session builds the mindset and tools leaders need to respond with confidence.
Participants’ key takeaways:
- Guide effective crisis response
- Avoid early-report pitfalls
- Use frameworks for clear decisions
- Apply the 4 Core Questions
- Build confidence to act fast
Practice real-world responses and leave ready make the hard decisions.
When the dust settles, the real work begins. This session focuses on what comes next—how leaders evaluate decisions, refine strategies, and strengthen their organizations.
Participants will learn to:
- Assess decision quality under pressure—individual and team choices
- Evaluate uncertainty’s impact—assumptions, risks, and outcomes
- Critique crisis response—information flow, guidance, and execution
- Turn lessons into strategy—building long-term resilience
The session concludes with an interactive tabletop exercise to apply insights in real time. Leaders will leave with practical tools, proven frameworks, and renewed confidence to lead through future crises.
In addition to the curriculum, the program leverages case studies to reinforce learning objectives. Materials are supplemented with a pre-attendance survey to learn more about the concerns and challenges in handling the next crisis as a leader and institution. These insights are folded into the program for a more tailored experience.
This one and a half day program is only available to university chancellor and presidents with a maximum capacity of 10 per cohort. Full price includes faculty instruction, meals and lodging.