About the Academy

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) are pleased to announce the 2019–2020 Senior Leadership Academy (SLA), a yearlong program for mid-level administrators in higher education who aspire to senior leadership positions in independent colleges or universities. 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 a college or university vice president or cabinet officer.

The Need for Well-Prepared Leaders

CIC and AALI developed the Senior Leadership Academy in response to presidents and provosts who noted that many talented people on their campuses now serving in mid-levels of leadership responsibility would benefit from professional development opportunities to become better prepared to assume senior “line” responsibilities at the vice presidential/cabinet level. The SLA helps to fill the gap in the current leadership pipeline through the preparation of leaders who show promise of developing the talents and skills needed to succeed in a senior leadership position on campus. The SLA also helps participants achieve a better understanding of the broader context within which their own institution operates and a perspective on higher education beyond their current role.

Not only was participation in the SLA program pivotal in my advancement to associate provost, but it also has helped prepare me for the challenges in my new role.”—Tamara Floyd Smith, SLA 2017–2018, Associate Provost, Tuskegee University; Director, Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, National Science Foundation

Current Status for 2018–2019

CIC selected 45 participants from independent colleges and universities to participate in the program. The fall seminar was held in Saint Louis, MO, November 2–4, 2018. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 20–22, 2019.

‭(Hidden)‬ Current Status for 2017–2018

Up to 30 participants from independent colleges and universities will be selected for the program, which is intended for individuals whose next position most likely would be a cabinet position in academic affairs, student affairs, finance and administration, enrollment management, or advancement and who would like to advance in responsibilities in college administration.

Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, February 23, 2018.

Program Results

(Results as of October 2018)

Nearly one-third (29.5 percent) of all participants have experienced career advancement.

Nearly half (48 percent) of participants from the first four cohorts have advanced in their careers.

In a time of data-informed decision making, the Senior Leadership Academy merges two important elements: a people-focused approach with a solidly grounded curriculum. Graduates emerge with new information, skills, and relationships with colleagues and mentors to make evidence-based and strategic decisions as leaders.”—Allyson M. Lowe, SLA 2017–2018, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Trocaire College

Nomination Procedure

Up to 40 participants from CIC Institutional Members will be selected for the program, which is intended for individuals whose next position most likely would be a cabinet position in academic affairs, student affairs, finance and administration, enrollment management, or advancement and who would like to advance in responsibilities in college administration.

A participant’s current position may be assistant or associate provost, assistant or associate vice president, academic dean, assistant or associate dean, academic division chair, or administrative director. Under certain circumstances, general counsels and faculty senate chairs may be included as well.

To submit a nomination, please refer to the brochure and online nomination form.

2019–2020 Senior Leadership Academy brochure

Online nomination form

The nomination packet is due by Friday, February 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m. EST. Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, March 8, 2019.

The Senior Leadership Academy was of profound help to me as a developing leader in academia…. The SLA provided a perfect balance of practical guidance for the position I held and professional advice for the future. In addition, it instantly created an outstanding network of individuals who are facing similar challenges at their institutions.”—Darrin Good, SLA 2014–2015, vice president for academic affairs, Whittier College

‭(Hidden)‬ Nomination Procedure

Up to 40 participants from CIC Institutional Members will be selected for the program, which is intended for individuals whose next position most likely would be a cabinet position in academic affairs, student affairs, finance and administration, enrollment management, or advancement and who would like to advance in responsibilities in college administration.

A participant’s current position may be assistant or associate provost, assistant or associate vice president, academic dean, assistant or associate dean, academic division chair, or administrative director. Under certain circumstances, general counsels and faculty senate chairs may be included as well.

To submit a nomination, please refer to the brochure and online nomination form.

2019–2020 Senior Leadership Academy brochure

Online nomination form

The nomination packet is due by Friday, February 15, 2019, 5:00 p.m. EST. Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, March 8, 2019.

Section Short Title: Diversity Initiative

The American Express Foundation will support CIC’s efforts to increase the gender and racial and ethnic diversity of the leaders of independent colleges and universities by providing funds to CIC that will cover most costs of participation in the Senior Leadership Academy for approximately 12 additional participants. Preference for these awards will be given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise might not be able to support a participant in SLA.

Through the grant, CIC will make awards that include:

A fellowship of $2,000 that covers the full program fee; and
A stipend of $1,500 (to be used toward lodging during the two seminars that are part of the year-long program).

If you already have nominated someone for the 2017–2018 Senior Leadership Academy who is a woman or a person of color and whom you now wish to be considered for this award, please send a message to Barbara Hetrick, CIC senior advisor, at bhetrick@cic.nche.edu. If you would like to nominate an additional participant who meets the criteria for SLA and the award, please complete a nomination packet for the additional candidate by Friday, January 27, 2017. If you have not yet nominated someone for this program, please consider nominating more than one candidate—both those who are eligible for the American Express Foundation award and others.

Locations and Costs

The fall seminar will be held in Baltimore, MD, November 1–3, 2019. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 21–23, 2020.

The program fee for the 2019–2020 academic year is $2,200. 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 especially limited funding for professional development.

‭(Hidden)‬ Location and Costs

The fall seminar will be held in San Antonio,TX, November 3–5, 2017. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 21–23, 2018.

The program fee for the 2017–2018 academic year is $2,000. The fee includes all program costs as well as meals during the two seminars. The SLA is supported generously by AALI and Academic Search, Inc. 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.

Contact Information

For questions about the nomination process, selection process, or program logistics, contact Barbara Hetrick, senior advisor, CIC, at bhetrick@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.