CIC recently announced the 2021–2022 cohorts of the Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) and Senior Leadership Academy (SLA). The selection process for each program was extremely competitive because of the large number of highly accomplished nominees.

“The Executive and Senior Leadership Academies provide vital professional development for administrators and faculty members of CIC’s 658 Institutional Members—at a time when strong leadership of independent colleges and universities is critically needed. Many presidents and other senior officers of colleges and universities are expected to retire within the next few years, and these programs help assure a smooth transition to the next generation of leadership,” said CIC President Richard Ekman.

Over the past 11 years, 550 independent college and university leaders have participated in the ELA and SLA. Since 2009, 100 of the participants in the ten cohorts that have completed the Executive Leadership Academy have been appointed as presidents or chancellors, and many more have advanced to other senior positions. Since 2010, ten cohorts have completed the Senior Leadership Academy, of which 153 participants have experienced career advancement. In addition to the professional advancement of participants, successful outcomes also occur when participants strengthen their effectiveness in their current leadership positions.

CIC partners with the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) to offer the SLA and, with both AALI and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), to offer the ELA. The ELA is designed for vice presidents or other cabinet officers who aspire to be college or university presidents or to perform more effectively in their current positions. The SLA is intended for mid-level administrators or outstanding faculty leaders who have been identified by their institutions as having the potential for senior leadership positions, either on their current campuses or elsewhere. Both programs include two national seminars, readings, webinars, structured mentorship guidance, and considerable emphasis on individualized experiential activities. The programs provide participants with opportunities to learn from experienced higher education administrators, to reflect on their own abilities and experiences, and to develop a strong network of mentors and colleagues in similar roles across a range of institutions.

The opening seminar for the 2021–2022 cohort of ELA will meet virtually June 24–25, 2021. Session leaders will address a wide range of topics, such as “Trends and Challenges in Higher Education,” co-led by Richard Ekman of CIC and Mildred Garcia, president of AASCU; “Presidential Transitions: Preparing, Implementing, and Living,” co-facilitated by 2015–2016 ELA alumni Alison Morrison-Shetlar, president of University of Lynchburg (VA), and Kenichi Iwama, chancellor of Indiana University Northwest; “In Planning for the Future, Start with Your Strengths,” facilitated by Steve Titus, practice leader for executive coaching at Academic Search and former president of Iowa Wesleyan University; and “Planning—To Prepare for Rapid Change,” led by Katherine Bergeron, president of Connecticut College and chair of the CIC Board of Directors.

The SLA will return to a face-to-face model this fall, holding its opening seminar November 6–8, 2021, at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, in conjunction with the Institute for Chief Academic Officers, with Chief Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officers.

The ELA and SLA are made possible through the generous support of Academic Search and the American Academic Leadership Institute. Nominations for the 2022–2023 ELA and SLA will open in the fall. For more information, visit the ELA site and the SLA site.

CIC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS, 2021–2022

CIC SENIOR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS, 2021–2022