AASCU - American Association of State Colleges and Universities

06/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 09:36

36 Higher Education Leaders to Convene in the Nation’s Capital for the Executive Leadership Academy

Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2025- The prestigious Executive Leadership Academy (ELA) kicks off today to prepare seasoned leaders for their next senior administrative role in higher education. The first of two in-person seminars in the yearlong program runs June 16-17 in Washington, DC, and will be led by current and former college presidents along with experts in critical areas pertinent to higher education.

The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) collaborate to offer ELA participants unparalleled learning, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

CIC and AASCU are pleased to announce the ELA cohort for the 2025-26 academic year after a highly selective application process. A total of 36 higher education leaders will take part in the program that prepares experienced provosts and vice presidents as the next generation of college and university presidents. These participants rose to the top among a competitive pool of applicants with each organization selecting 18 leaders from member institutions to ensure representation from both independent and state-supported colleges and universities.

Since its inception in 2009, over 100 individuals who have completed the ELA program have been appointed as presidents or chancellors of colleges and universities. The ELA program equips those moving into presidential and senior executive roles with the diverse skills necessary to navigate the ever-changing challenges of the higher educational landscape.

"At a time when working in higher education feels particularly challenging, the participants of the ELA program show how committed they are to the sector and their institutions," said CIC President Marjorie Hass. "CIC is fortunate to partner with AALI and AASCU to provide this opportunity to leaders at our member institutions and prepare them for the challenges ahead."

Some key features of the ELA program consist of a tailored professional experience plan aimed at addressing the specific skill and experience gaps of each participant; mentorship provided by the participant's current president alongside the ELA program director; guidance on the executive search process; and access to peer-led webinars, regional meetings, and cohort-wide activities. The ELA cohort will convene in June 2026 for a closing seminar in Washington, DC.

"In today's higher education environment, it's critical that future leaders are prepared, ready, and well-equipped to serve our growing student population and tackle the challenges that come with leading a college or university," said AASCU President and CEO Charles L. Welch. "Together with CIC, and our partners at AALI, AASCU continues its commitment of providing senior executives with the wide-ranging skills and training they need to succeed."

Individuals currently holding cabinet-level roles in any division of their institution are invited to apply to the ELA program. Nominations for the ELA for the 2026-27 academic year will commence in the fall, with selections to be revealed in March 2026.

View more information on the CIC program pageor the AASCU program page.

2025-26 ELA Participants Selected by CIC

  • Danielle Bucci, Nazareth University (NY)
  • Joshua Clary, Marian University (WI)
  • Beth Concepción, Linfield University (OR)
  • Brian Doak, George Fox University (OR)
  • Michael Dodge, American International College (MA)
  • Kristin Flora, Franklin College (IN)
  • Gerald Griffin, Hope College (MI)
  • Mark Hanshaw, Cumberland University (TN)
  • Jason Harmon, Dominican University (IL)
  • Susan Daniels Henderson, Coker University (SC)
  • JT Kane, Manhattan School of Music (NY)
  • Lisa Kirkpatrick, St. Edward's University (TX)
  • Mike McGinnis, Saint Francis University (PA)
  • Gloria Noronha, Lesley University (MA)
  • David Sears, McDaniel University (MD)
  • Calley Stevens Taylor, Cedar Crest College (PA)
  • Abagail Van Vlerah, Manchester University (IN)
  • Weston Wiebe, College of the Ozarks (MO)

2025-26 ELA Participants Selected by AASCU

  • Anthony 'Tony' Andrews, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point - Marshfield Campus
  • Grady Dixon, Fort Hays State University (KS)
  • Todd Clark, Penn State Harrisburg
  • John Falconer, University of Nebraska at Kearney
  • Ben Corpus, California State University, Monterey Bay
  • Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger, Bridgewater State University (MA)
  • Kim Hayworth, Montana State University Billings
  • Jesse Mason, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities - System Office
  • Jeff Howard, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • Augustus McGiver, State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
  • Kareem McLemore, Delaware State University
  • Quentin Kidd, Christopher Newport University (VA)
  • Andrew Morse, Central Washington University
  • Mary Oling-Sisay, California State University San Marcos
  • Oscar Omar Ovalle Osuna, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
  • Blake Rickman, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
  • Veronica Sills, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (formerly)
  • John Vasquez, Colorado State University Pueblo

###

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions' economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America's promise.

AASCU - American Association of State Colleges and Universities published this content on June 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 16, 2025 at 15:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io