By Arial Starks
Dr. Craig Narasaki
The Vanderbilt Certificate of Leadership Excellence (CLE) offers working professionals tools to elevate their leadership abilities through a series of flexible Executive Education programming. Dr. Craig Narasaki, Chief, Air and Space Biosciences Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), United States Department of the Air Force, is one of the many professionals taking advantage of this program. With a nearly 30-year career in the Air Force, Dr. Narasaki is working towards earning this prestigious certificate to enhance his leadership skills and bring practical solutions back to his organization.
Opportunity for Professional Growth
Dr. Narasaki’s decision to further his education came naturally, given the dynamic and evolving demands of his role. “Being a member of the Air Force is a lifestyle of constant learning,” he explains. As he leads research in human performance, team management, and innovative air and space solutions, sharpening his leadership skills was a key motivator for him to pursue a certificate program.
When deciding on an executive education program, Vanderbilt’s reputation stood out to Dr. Narasaki: “Vanderbilt’s brand is head and shoulders above other universities,” he says. Dr. Narasaki points to distinguished faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and custom curriculum tailored to help professionals tackle leadership challenges as factors that solidified his decision to pursue the Certificate of Leadership Excellence at Vanderbilt Business.
Key Takeaways from Certificate of Leadership Excellence
To earn the Vanderbilt Certificate of Leadership Excellence, participants must complete several Executive Education courses totaling 9 Executive Credits. Having already completed 2 courses that will be counted towards the certificate, Leading Change with Professor Ray Friedman and Leading and Achieving Transformational Growth with Professors Todd McCullough and Dave Owens, Narasaki says he already foresees the lasting impact the program will have on his day-to-day work.
In Leading Change, Dr. Narasaki says he has realized the importance of sequencing and correctly implementing leadership steps. “I had been practicing several of the steps mentioned in the course, but out of order and not very well,” he explains. He says the program gave him a structured framework, allowing him to reflect on past leadership experiences and understand why some initiatives may have succeeded while others didn’t.
In Achieving Transformational Growth, Dr. Narasaki learned the key differentiators between 2 types of leadership roles: managers who keep operations running smoothly and visionaries who push boundaries. “It helped me see how I could work with both types of personalities to achieve maximum organizational impact,” he explains. He goes on to share how this understanding has been particularly useful in his research leadership role.
Applicable Leadership Skills
What makes the Vanderbilt Certificate of Leadership Excellence so unique is the instant gratification participants receive by being able to apply the skills and knowledge they are learning in the classroom on the job. “I keep the outlines of the courses in my desk and regularly review them to apply what I’ve learned to current challenges,” Dr. Narasaki shares. He says the ability to implement skills from the program in real time is helping his team tackle complex problems and better prepare for future challenges.
Dr. Narasaki shares that one significant return on his investment in the program is the opportunity to share what he is learning with colleagues. He has even advocated for more of his peers to participate in the program, noting that Vanderbilt’s proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base makes it accessible for many at AFRL.
Looking Toward the Future
As Dr. Narasaki continues his journey through the Vanderbilt Certificate of Leadership Excellence, he looks forward to wrapping up the program with a deeper understanding of leadership dynamics that will have a lasting impact on his team. “I hope to walk away with practical, targeted skills that I can use to enhance my leadership, take care of our country, and inspire my team,” he says.
For professionals like Dr. Narasaki, Vanderbilt’s Executive Education programs offer more than just knowledge—they provide a pathway to practical leadership development that drives real-world results. Learn more about Vanderbilt Executive Education.
