About the Academy

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) are pleased to announce the 2017–2018 Senior Leadership Academy (SLA), a year-long 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.

Current Status for 2018–2019

CIC selected 45 participants from independent colleges and universities to participate in the program. The fall seminar will be 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 September 2017)

CIC and AALI have offered programs for seven cohorts of mid-level administrators who are interested in becoming provosts and vice presidents. Of the 41 participants in the 2010–2011 cohort, 25 (61 percent) have moved up to positions of greater responsibility, including nine provosts and vice presidents and two presidents. The number of participants was reduced for later classes to increase interaction among participants. Of the 25 participants in the 2011–2012 cohort, ten have earned promotions, for an “upward mobility rate” of 40 percent. Eight of the 22 participants in 2012–2013 have moved up, as have seven of the 26 participants in 2013–2014. Eight from the 2014–2015 cohort have been promoted, and two from the 2015–2016 cohort, one from 2016–2017, and two from 2017–2018 already have advanced.

‭(Hidden)‬ Nomination Information

Up to 35 participants from independent colleges and universities will be selected for 2018–2019 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.

2018–2019 Senior Leadership Academy brochure

Online nomination form

The nomination packet is due by Friday, January 26, 2018, 5:00 p.m. EST. Selection of participants will be announced by Friday, February 23, 2018.

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 Saint Louis, MO, November 2–4, 2018. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 20–22, 2019.

The program fee for the 2018–2019 academic year is $2,100. 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.

‭(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, 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.