New Presidents Academy
Join state university peers to prepare for the specific challenges first-time presidents and chancellors are likely to face.
Contact us.
The leadership program for new state college and university presidents and chancellors.
NPA is tailored to the distinctive needs of new presidents and chancellors who lead state colleges and universities.
Who Should Participate
- The 2025 academy is open to first-time AASCU member and non-member presidents and chancellors appointed after July 2024. Exceptions may be made for presidents who began prior to July 2024 if space permits.
How You’ll Benefit
- Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to presidents
- Build a strong and supportive network of new and seasoned presidents
- Acquire core knowledge and learn strategies that will help you succeed as a new president or chancellor
- Strengthen your leadership skills
- Assess and reflect on your leadership strengths and define areas for growth
- Engage in a mentoring partnership with an experienced president.
- Connect with a faculty of experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts in advancement, communications, governance, and financial management
What to Expect
- Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times
- Dialogues about AASCU institutions’ commitment to access and student success outcomes will be included throughout
- We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and customized learning environment built on trust, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort
- Program content is reevaluated each year to ensure we are meeting the needs of current presidents and chancellors and covering topics critical to the current context of higher education leadership
- Support new presidents with a practical orientation to the presidency.
- Create a community of support for new presidents to include peers and experienced (current and retired) presidents. The NPA network is an invaluable resource for presidents throughout their careers
- Explore the president’s multiple roles
- Assess current state of university including the effectiveness of the senior team
- Role of the president
- Crisis management
- Student-centered leadership
- Fundraising
- Strategic planning
- Advocacy, government relations and advancement
- Building and engaging your leadership team
- Financial management
The 2025 NPA will take place from July to December 2025.
The program will feature:
- Four-day, in-person gathering (July 23-26, 2025 at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California)
- Monthly interactive cohort gatherings via Zoom held over three months (August, September, and October)
- Half-day in-person gathering in conjunction with AASCU’s Annual Conference (November 14-17, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee)
- Formal mentoring with NPA faculty and current and retired AASCU presidents and chancellors (October 2025–May 2026)
- Access to AASCU (phone a friend) resource list of AASCU presidents and chancellors
- The 2025 academy is open to first-time AASCU member and non-member presidents and chancellors appointed after July 2024.
- Exceptions may be made for presidents who began prior to July 2024 if space permits.
- All eligible members will be admitted as space allows.
- Nonmembers who are eligible will be allowed to register if space is available.
No formal application is required.
2025 Registration Fees
- Presidents/Chancellors from AASCU member institutions: $6,000
- Presidents/Chancellors from non-member institutions: $8,000
- The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person intensive, and all materials. The registration fee also includes participation in AASCU’s 2025 Annual Conference, November 14-17, Nashville, Tennessee.
Scholarships
- Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from AASCU member institutions.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation requests received on or after June 2, 2025 are NOT eligible for a refund.
- If you need to cancel after June 2 please email leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org to explore if you are eligible for a deferral to a different iteration of NPA or receive a credit toward a different program.
The AASCU Spouse/Partner Program provides networking opportunities, professional development, and guidance, all tailored to the unique needs of presidential spouses and partners. Presidential spouses/ partners are encouraged to register for our 2025 New Presidents Academy. We have special spouse/partner programming and social activities planned in Carlsbad for NPA and our Annual Conference in Nashville.
2025 Registration Fees
- Presidential spouse/partner from AASCU member institution: $1100
- Presidential spouse/partner from non-member institutions: $1200
- The registration fee includes meals during the NPA meeting and participation in AASCU’s 2025 Annual Conference, November 14-17, Nashville
Meet the 2025 NPA faculty.
NPA has convened an impressive faculty of current and former presidents, chancellors, cabinet-level administrators, and national subject matter experts.
Main/Core Faculty
Janine
Davidson
President
Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
Brian O.
Hemphill
President
Old Dominion University (VA)
Brendan
Kelly
President
Arkansas State University System
Cynthia
Teniente-Matson
President
San José State University (CA)
Charles L.
Welch
President and CEO
AASCU
Alisa
White
President
Sam Houston State University (TX)
Guest Faculty
Testimonials
“Thank you all for gifting me one of the most personally enriching professional experiences I have ever had. I’m honored to have shared time and space with all of you.”
‘I learned so much and am looking forward to applying that knowledge now and in the future. A special thanks to the faculty for sharing their experiences and their vulnerabilities. It was truly inspiring, and I appreciated the modeling for all of us in our current and future roles.”
NPA is an absolute must for all new college and university presidents. The depth of knowledge of the faculty and laser focus on mission critical best practices for success are extremely valuable. The intentionality of the NPA faculty and cohort members also speaks volumes about AASCU’s preeminent role in shaping the future of higher education.
Absolutely amazing. The right experience at the right time. I can see tangible ways that this is going to help me accelerate my transition, listen more deeply, and advance the work among a network of equity-minded colleagues.
Meet the 2025 Cohort
Susan
Andrzejewski
Interim President
California State University Channel Islands
Jesse
Bernal
President
Western Connecticut State University
Mary H.
Bonderoff
President
SUNY Delhi
Steven
Bridges
President
University of Southern Indiana
Sandra
Bulmer
Interim President
Southern Connecticut State University
Wendy
Elmore
President, Chief Executive Officer
Lamar State College Orange (TX)
Johnny
Evans Jr.
President
College of Coastal Georgia
Denise J.
Gregory
Interim President
Jackson State University (MS)
Mike
Johnson
President
University of West Georgia
Jodi
Kupper
Interim President
Chadron State College (NE)
Shane B.
Smeed
President
Utah Tech University
David
Troilo
President
State University of New York College of Optometry
Our Partners
Join the New Presidents Academy 2025 cohort.
New Presidents Academy is open to first-time AASCU member and non-member presidents and chancellors appointed after July of the previous year. Exceptions may be made for presidents who began prior to July if space permits. All eligible members will be admitted as space allows. Nonmembers who are eligible will be allowed to register if space is available.
Application Requirements
- No application required
Important Dates
The NPA will take place from July to December 2025, and will feature:
- Four-day, in-person gathering (July 23-26, 2025 at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California)
- Monthly interactive cohort gatherings via Zoom held over three months (August, September, and October)
- Half-day in-person gathering in conjunction with AASCU’s Annual Conference (November 14-17, 2025 in Nashville)
- Formal mentoring with NPA faculty and current and retired AASCU presidents and chancellors (October 2025–May 2026)
Have questions about the NPA? Let us know.
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