​The Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) is a year-long program cosponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) to prepare experienced provosts and vice presidents to become successful presidents. It includes two national seminars, readings, webinars, individualized experiential activities, and structured mentorship experiences. By completing the program, participants will have acquired considerable knowledge, skills, and experiences that are germane to the portfolio of responsibilities and activities central to the work of the president.

(Results as of September 2017)

CIC, AASCU, and AALI piloted a Provost to President program in 2009–2010 to prepare cabinet-level administrators in CIC and AASCU member institutions to assume presidencies. Of the 41 participants in that pilot program, 14 have since been appointed as president or chancellor.

The program’s name was changed to the Executive Leadership Academy for the 2011–2012 academic year, and 20 of the 42 participants have since been appointed president or chancellor. Of the 40 participants in the 2012–2013 ELA, nine have been appointed to presidencies. In the 2013–2014 cohort of 37 participants, ten have earned presidential appointments. Of the 29 participants in 2014–2015, four have assumed presidencies. Eight of 37 participants during 2015–2016 have been appointed to presidencies, and two of the 36 participants during 2016–2017 already have been appointed as presidents.

Although AALI and CIC maintain data on the professional advancement of participants, successful outcomes also are obtained when participants’ leadership in their current positions is strengthened, when they learn from the experiences that they do not intend to pursue a presidency, or when the participant is selected for a succession plan to the presidency of the same institution.

​Approximately 40 cabinet officers, drawn from all divisions of the institution, will be selected for the 2018–2019 program—half from Council of Independent Colleges member institutions and half from American Association of State Colleges and Universities institutions. Eligibility is open to individuals who are currently serving in cabinet-level positions.

2018–2019 Executive Leadership Academy brochure

​Two seminars will be held in Washington, DC, led by current and former presidents and chancellors as well as experts in key areas of presidential responsibility, on June 25–27, 2018, and June 17–19, 2019.

The program fee for the 2018–2019 academic year is $2,525. The fee includes all program costs as well as meals during the two seminars. The participant or his or her institution is responsible for travel and lodging expenses. Support to offset some of these costs is available to a small number of participants at institutions with limited funding for professional development.

​​​​For questions about the nomination, selection process, or program logistics, contact David Brailow, vice president for development, CIC, at dbrailow@cic.nche.edu or (202) 466-7230.

For questions about program content, contact Linda Bleicken, president, AALI, at linda@americanali.org or (202) 263-7488.