Becoming A Provost Academy
This yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts.
Apply by Feb. 9.
Prepare to lead as provost.
The Becoming a Provost Academy (BAPA) is a leadership program tailored to the distinctive needs of aspiring provosts (chief academic officers). Co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), this yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts. BAPA also helps participants gain a better understanding of the broader context within which their own institutions operate and develop perspectives beyond their current position, division, and institution.
Who Should Participate
- Experienced deans, assistant or associate provosts, and other academic affairs senior administrators who aspire to become a provost/chief academic officer
How You’ll Benefit
- Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts
- Professional Experience Plan (PEP), which assesses the strengths as well as the opportunities in the preparation of individual participants
- A strong and supportive network of peers and mentors.
What to Expect
BAPA is a leadership development program to prepare experienced academic administrators for provost/vice president for academic affairs positions in public higher education.
- Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times
- Mentoring and Executive Coaching
- Opportunity for real-time application and impact of tools and trainings via a Professional Experience Plan
- Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort
- Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts
- Participants will prepare a Professional Experience Plan (PEP) working with campus mentor.
The 2026-27 Becoming A Provost Academy will take place from June 2026 to July 2027.
- Nomination deadline: February 9, 2026
- Opening Seminar (June 17-18, 2026, Washington, DC)
- Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (August 2026 – June 2027)
- Closing Seminar (July 12-13, 2027, Atlanta, GA)
Programming will be delivered in a blended format, with in-person and virtual programming.
In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded.
One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.
- Applications that are complete, including an endorsement from a president/chancellor or provost who will serve as the participant’s mentor, and submitted by February 9, 2026 will be considered.
- AASCU and AALI staff review applications and select a cohort that reflects the diversity of AASCU institutions.
- Admissions preference will be given to applicants currently employed at AASCU member institutions.
- If space allows, consideration will be given to participants from institutions serving in other higher education sectors.
- Endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from your home institution
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae
- Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals
- Commitment to 100% participation
Seminars are led by a teaching faculty of AASCU provosts, AASCU presidents and chancellors, and other national subject matter experts.
- The program fee for the 2026-2027 academic year is $4,675 per applicant.
- The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2027 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting after the closing seminar.
- Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation to/in both seminar locations.
- Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from qualifying institutions. Preference will be given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise would be unable to support a participant.
Testimonials
The BAPA program was an exhilarating opportunity for me to learn from seasoned provosts and develop new networks from colleagues within my class and among the alumni and facilitators. I found the one-year formal experiential plan, mentoring conference calls, and follow-up meetings during the AASCU conferences to be of tremendous value for me during my executive development journey in higher education.
BAPA was a truly unique leadership program. It provided intensive training, development, and mentoring targeted toward preparing candidates to be an effective and successful provost at a state college or university. In addition, the network of BAPA alums is extensive and supportive. I highly recommend this outstanding leadership program.
BAPA is an exciting opportunity to explore university administration from a different angle. The speakers all generously gave their time, expertise, and insight! It was a great year that went too fast!
The BAPA program provides a blend of structured programming and customized experiences to ensure that participants have an excellent experience. The opportunities provided to me to visit peer institutions and learn from colleagues were invaluable to me. The generosity of facilitators and invited speakers in candidly sharing lessons learned was a much-appreciated gift for all of us who were part of the program.
2025-2026 Cohort
Laura
Baecher
Associate Provost for Faculty Development
Kean University (NJ)
Christopher
Brown
Dean
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Karen H.
Brown
Dean and Professor
University of the Virgin Islands
Theresa
Castor
Professor of Communication; Faculty Director of Internships
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Divya
Choudhary
Dean, Bailey College of Engineering and Technology
Indiana State University
Marilyn
Cleary
Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education
Framingham State University (MA)
Marcus S.
Cox
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Savannah State University (GA)
K. Renee
Fister
Associate Provost
Murray State University (KY)
Lisa A.
Frank
Dean, School of Business
Central Connecticut State University
Nieves
Gruneiro-Roadcap
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Chad
Hargrave
Vice President for Research and Strategic Partnerships
Sam Houston State University (TX)
Christina
Hassija
Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
California State University, San Bernardino
J. Dwayne
Hooks Jr.
Dean & Professor, College of Health and Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Clayton State University (GA)
Adanna J.
Johnson
Associate Chief Academic Officer for Faculty Affairs
University of the District of Columbia
Barry
Lambert
Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Tarleton State University (TX)
Kelly Ferris
Lester
Associate Provost
University of Southern Mississippi
Steven
Lloyd
Vice Provost
University of North Georgia
Christopher
Malone
Associate Provost
State University of New York at Farmingdale
Tracey D.
Matthews
Dean, College of Health Professions and Wellness
Jacksonville State University (AL)
Karen
Meisch
Dean College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Austin Peay State University (TN)
Vahid
Motevalli
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Ajay
Panicker
Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs
St. Cloud State University (MN)
Anna
Plemons
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Washington State University Tri-Cities
Glenn M.
Sanford
Dean
University of Houston-Clear Lake (TX)
Gwendolyn
Scott-Jones
Dean
Delaware State University
Peter
Sheppard
Associate Dean & Professor
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Mark A.
Smith
Dean, McQueary College of Health and Human Services
Missouri State University
Jeff
Strickland
Executive Director of Honors
Montclair State University (NJ)
Matthew
Walker
Director, School of Communication and Mass Media
Northwest Missouri State University
Dlynn A.
Williams
Dean
Austin Peay State University (TN)
Our Partner
Applications for the 2026-2027 BAPA cohort are open.
Application Details
A full submission requires the candidate to submit an application form and an endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from their home institution.
Application Requirements
- Experienced deans, assistant or associate provosts, and other academic affairs senior administrators who aspire to become a provost/chief academic officer
- Endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from your home institution
Important Dates
- The next program will take place starting July 2026–July 2027
- The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 9, 2026
Have questions about BAPA? Let us know.
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