The Senior Leadership Academy (SLA) is 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 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.

​CIC selected 40 participants from independent colleges and universities to participate in 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.

​The fall seminar will be held virtually, November 6–8, 2020. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, June 17–19, 2021.

The program fee for the 2020–2021 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.

​​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.