About the Academy

The Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) is a yearlong program cosponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) 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 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.

The Senior Leadership Academy provided me with invaluable experience as I considered applying for provost positions. The mentorship, camaraderie among participants, and excellent presentations by higher education leaders allowed me to learn important lessons in academic leadership. In particular, there was an emphasis on preparing to apply for ‘the next move,’ and these lessons were pivotal as I applied for provost and president positions.”—Lily D. McNair, SLA 2010–2011, president, Tuskegee University; formerly provost and vice president for academic affairs, Wagner College, and associate provost of research, Spelman College

Current Status for 2021–2022

The Senior Leadership Academy will return to a face-to-face model this fall, holding its 2021–2022 opening seminar in Louisville, Kentucky, November 5–7, 2021, in conjunction with the Institute for Chief Academic Officers, with Chief Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officers.

‭(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

Since 2010, 153 of the participants in the ten cohorts that have completed the Senior Leadership Academy have experienced career advancement.

In addition to the professional advancement of participants, successful outcomes also occur when participants strengthen their leadership in their current positions.

My experience with the Senior Leadership Academy was so beneficial. The sessions brought a variety of institutional perspectives together and were always informative. Also, getting to know other academic leaders was invaluable.”—Michelle Mattson, SLA 2017–2018, provost, Wittenberg University; formerly associate dean of academic affairs at Rhodes College

Up to 40 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.

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.

2021–2022 Senior Leadership Academy brochure

Online nomination form

The nomination packet is due by Friday, February 12, 2021, 5:00 p.m. EST. Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, March 12, 2021.

The Senior Leadership Academy had a profound effect on me. This distinctive experience allowed me to establish a robust plan that exposed me to rich and meaningful experiential learning and to expand my professional network with those in academic and administrative leadership positions. Additionally, the program’s structure provided a safe and healthy space to discuss big ideas, emerging trends, and leadership opportunities within higher education. The SLA guidance and networking positioned me well to transition to my current vice presidency, which I assumed toward the conclusion of the program. To that end, I wholeheartedly recommend SLA to anyone with a desire to advance and thrive as a higher-education senior administrator.”—Michael Marshall, SLA 2018–2019, vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communication, Bellarmine University; formerly associate vice president for enrollment at Clark Atlanta University

‭(Hidden)‬ Nomination Procedure

Up to 40 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.

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.

2020–2021 Senior Leadership Academy brochure

Online nomination form

The nomination packet is due by Friday, February 14, 2020, 5:00 p.m. EST. Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, March 6, 2020.

For me, the value of the Senior Leadership Academy lies in three areas. First, the program introduces aspiring administrators to like-minded colleagues, who become friends. Second, it opens doors for aspiring senior leaders to see inside other institutions and learn how colleagues address the challenges and opportunities we are all facing. Finally, the program introduces individuals to the search firms and the search processes that help shape their professional future. It is an invaluable program that helps academic leaders see their institution, their work, and their future with fresh eyes.”—Erik Ankerberg, SLA 2014–2015, associate vice president of academics, Concordia University Chicago; formerly provost and chief academic officer, Concordia University in Austin, and assistant provost and director of the honors program, Wisconsin Lutheran University

AALI Diversity Fellowship

With generous support from AALI, CIC will offer a small number of fellowships to enhance the gender, racial, and ethnic diversity of well-prepared leaders of colleges and universities. Preference will be given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise might be unable to support a participant in the leadership development programs. Nominators should check the box on the nomination form if they wish their nominee to be considered for a fellowship.

Locations and Costs

The fall seminar will be held in Louisville, KY, November 5–7, 2021. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 16–18, 2022.

The program fee for the 2021–2022 academic year is $2,400. 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.

‭(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 Alana Cassidy, director of sponsorships, CIC, at acassidy@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.