​CIC recently announced selections for the 2018–2019 cohorts of the Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) and Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) (see the participant lists below). Individuals chosen for the year-long ELA program are vice presidents or cabinet officers who aspire to be successful college or university presidents or to perform more effectively in their current positions. Individuals chosen for the SLA program are mid-level administrators in higher education who have been identified by their institutions as having the potential for senior leadership positions in independent colleges or universities. Both programs include two national seminars, readings, webinars, structured mentorship guidance, and considerable emphasis on individualized experiential activities.

The ELA and SLA provide participants opportunities to learn about the real issues that will confront them as they advance in their careers, to reflect on their own abilities and experiences, and to seek the positions for which they are best suited.

One of the participants accepted into the 2018–2019 ELA is Lori Quigley, vice president for academic affairs at Medaille College (NY). Quigley was pleased to be nominated for the ELA because of the quality of her experience in the 2013–2014 SLA, when she was dean of the Esteves School of Education, The Sage Colleges (NY)-Russell Sage Campus. “The SLA allowed me to refine and begin to perfect my interpersonal skills in respecting and appreciating the diverse roles within each cabinet area,” Quigley explained. “My professional experience plan through the SLA provided me with a healthy appreciation of the value and importance of all areas beyond academics. Through my provost’s mentorship and the academy activities, I gained a deeper appreciation of various cabinet-level roles and responsibilities, strengthened my skills in understanding the working relationship between the college president and vice presidents, and enhanced my ability to maintain a positive and respectful relationship with the college’s Board of Trustees.” As these experiences helped her to move up to a position as chief academic officer, she expects that the ELA will help her develop her abilities to take on a presidency, should she decide to seek the role.

Another recent alumnus of the SLA, Joseph Roidt, chief academic officer at Dakota Wesleyan University (SD), also believes strongly in the value of the program. “SLA provided me with precisely the sort of guidance and support I needed and proved invaluable in teaching me how to present myself effectively on the CAO market,” Roidt said. “The program helped me to more clearly see the broader landscape of higher education and to discern the next steps in my career.”

Both the ELA and SLA are made possible through the generous support of Academic Search, Inc. CIC partners with the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) to present the SLA and with both AALI and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to present the ELA. Nominations for the 2019–2020 ELA and SLA will open in September 2018. For more information, visit the ELA program page and the SLA program page.

CIC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS, 2018–2019

SENIOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS, 2018–2019