Emerging Leaders Program

ELP is designed for academic and administrative professionals to gain a greater appreciation of the Academy and build the skillset and mindset to lead campus initiatives and advance to more senior leadership roles. Participants graduate with skills, connections, and support necessary to navigate the transition to higher administrative roles. 

Apply by Feb. 10.

 

Johnna Eaton and John Montemayor participate in a 2024 ELP cohort breakout discussions.
Johnna Eaton and John Montemayor participate in a 2024 ELP cohort breakout discussion.

ELP is designed to prepare the next generation of higher education administrators to be effective leaders; to view every decision through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens; and to further their institutions’ path to equitable student success. 

ELP provides the opportunity for participants to assess their individual leadership style and strengths and to apply the skills learned in the instructional portion of the program to a project/initiative on their home campus over the course of the academic year. 

Kareem McLemore makes a point during an 2024 ELP discussion.
Kareem McLemore makes a point during an 2024 ELP discussion.

Who Should Participate

  • Academic and administrative professionals who are exploring opportunities to advance to higher-level administrative positions. 

How You’ll Benefit

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of the academe and how they relate to each other. 
  • Develop critical skills for managing complex projects and leading institutional change. 
  • Build a strong and supportive network of peers and mentors. 
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by leading an on-campus project or initiative. 
What to Expect
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
  • Tailored to the distinctive needs of mid-career academic or administrative professionals exploring leadership roles at state colleges and universities 
  • Opportunity for real-time application and impact of tools and trainings via a campus project  
  • Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort 
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of the academe and how they relate to each other.   
  • Develop critical skills for leading transformational institutional change.   
  • Build a strong and supportive network of peers and mentors.   
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by leading an on-campus project or initiative. 
  • Academic affairs
  • Budgeting, finance and administration
  • Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
  • Fundraising and alumni relations
  • Managing staff and faculty
  • Navigating the search process
  • National trends in higher education
  • Project management and change management

Participants will lead a project or initiative at their home campuses over the course of the academic year, under the guidance of a designated mentor. The project will have an impact on the campus community and also align with the participant’s professional goals. Examples of university projects include the following:  

  • Chairing or co-chairing a division, university-wide committee, or task force that requires working with multiple constituencies 
  • Managing a project for a division or university strategic initiative 
  • Conducting a research project that investigates an important challenge the university faces and provides an opportunity for the participant to influence campus decision-makers using data 

Programming will be a blended experience, with in-person and virtual programming. In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. 100% attendance and participation is expected. Virtual programming will take place on select Wednesdays and Fridays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET (exact dates TBD).

  • Up to 12 interactive 60-to 120-minute interactive virtual sessions (May 2025 and August–December 2025)
  • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office (June 24–26, 2025)
  • A project or initiative the participant leads on their home campus
  • Applications that are complete, including a nomination/endorsement from a president/chancellor or cabinet-level administrator, and submitted by the deadline will be considered.
  • ELP faculty review applications and select a cohort that reflects the diversity of AASCU institutions.
  • Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions. 
  • A complete application for ELP includes the following: 
    • Nomination or endorsement from the president/chancellor or cabinet-level administrator from your home institution 
    • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals 
    • Description of your campus project and how it supports your professional goals 
    • Commitment to 100% participation 
2025 Registration Fees
  • Participants from AASCU member institutions: $2,500 
  • Participants from non-member institutions: $3,500 
  • The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person intensive, and all materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Washington, D.C.
  • Upon acceptance to ELP, participants must register no later than March 31, 2025.
Scholarships
  • Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from AASCU member institutions.
Cancellation Fees
  • Cancellation requests received on or after May 1, 2025 are NOT eligible for a refund.
  • If you need to cancel after May 1, please email leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org to explore if you are eligible for a deferral to a different iteration of ELP or receive a credit toward a different program.
Is my institution an AASCU member?
Meet the 2024 ELP faculty.

ELP has convened an impressive faculty of current and former presidents, chancellors, cabinet-level administrators, and national subject matter experts. 

HusamAlshareef chats with ELP colleagues.
Husam Alshareef chats with ELP colleagues.

ELP connects, equips, and empowers the next generation of higher education leaders.  

ELP has a high impact on the skillsets and mindsets of program participants and the curriculum effectively addresses top-of-mind issues for today’s emerging leaders at AASCU institutions. 

The Numbers

 

93%

Percentage of 2023 cohort members who reported feeling connected to colleagues at peer institutions at the end of ELP.

4.63 out of 5

Average rating of content, presentation, and speaker quality for all 2023 ELP programming.

33%

Increase in feeling equipped with the knowledge and relationships needed to pursue career goals from the start to the end of the program (2023 cohort).

Dayana Nunez, Britney Kyle, and Jakari Griffith during a 2024 ELP breakout.
Dayana Nunez, Britney Kyle, and Jakari Griffith during a 2024 ELP breakout.
The Stories

The Emerging Leaders Program afforded me the opportunity to not only learn, but engage and network with equity minded leaders. This program is truly intentional with developing methods of success for future leaders. I thoroughly enjoyed and am grateful to be able to have this experience.

Carlitta M. Moore

Arkansas State University Jonesboro
2023 ELP Cohort Member

“ELP is the most comprehensive leadership program to prepare one for opportunities and advancement in higher education. Sessions felt intentionally curated for our cohort and I ended the program with a confidence to advocate for myself and issues I would have otherwise not found. The intensity was perfect for the career level of our cohort and having a peer group and mentors helped keep my campus project alive.”

2022 ELP Cohort Member

Meet the 2024 Cohort

Husam

Alshareef

Associate Professor and Construction Management Program Director

Colorado State University Pueblo

Rodrick

Andrews

Assistant Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid

State University of New York at Oswego

Holly

Attenborough

Assistant Provost

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Maria

Botero

Professor

Sam Houston State University (TX)

Jean

Clarke

Director, Learning Communities

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Kevin

Costa

Director of Employee & Labor Relations

Bridgewater State University (MA)

Christina E.

Denison

Director, William O. Douglas Honors College

Central Washington University

Christopher

Donoghue

Professor of Sociology

Montclair State University (NJ)

Johnna

Eaton

Dean of Students

East Georgia State College

Cynthia G.

Falk

Assistant Dean

State University of New York at Oneonta

Jenny

Green

Assistant Director of Assessment

State University of New York at Brockport

Cierra L.

Griffin

Executive Director for Adult Learners, Transfer, and Military Students

Fayetteville State University (NC)

Jakari

Griffith

Department Chair and Provost Fellow

Bridgewater State University (MA)

Kendra

Haggard

Director of Student Engagement and Transitions

Northeastern State University (OK)

Thomas

Horvath

Interim Dean, College of Science

California State University Monterey Bay

Jamaal

Jackson

Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Kentucky State University

Theodore W.

Johnson

Assistant Professor – Aviation Institute

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Britney

Kyle

Faculty Senate Chair and Professor of Anthropology

University of Northern Colorado

Kareem

McLemore

Assistant Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management

Delaware State University

John J.

Montemayor

Director of TRIO Student Support Services

University of South Carolina Upstate

Patrice

Moorer

Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs

University of West Florida

Aydin

Nazmi

Professor & Faculty Fellow

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Melissa

Norris

Health Educator

California State University, Fresno

Dayana

Nunez

Associate Director of Student Enrollment Services

William Paterson University (NJ)

Jason

Perry

Director of Montevallo MADE

University of Montevallo (AL)

Chapman Rackaway

Chapman

Rackaway

Professor and Chair, Political Science

Radford University (VA)

Johnny D.

Richardson

Director of Enrollment Communication Services

Georgia Gwinnett College

Christina

Robinson

Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

Central Connecticut State University

Ronnie

Rollins

Associate Dean, College of Health, Science, and Technology

University of Central Missouri

Donyell

Roseboro

Chief Diversity Officer and Professor

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Desirée D.

Rowe

Associate Professor

Towson University (MD)

Joshua

Ruppel

Professor of Chemistry and Director of Research

University of South Carolina Upstate

Nick

Saenz

Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs

Adams State University (CO)

Katie

Stompor

Executive Director, Digital Media and Brand Management

Purdue University Northwest

Brian

Wayne

Graduate Programs Recruiter

Elizabeth City State University (NC)

Our Thought Partners

Applications and endorsements for our 2025 ELP cohort are due on Feb. 10, 2025.

Submit an application.   Submit an endorsement.

Application Details

Application Requirements

  • Early- to mid-career academic and administrative emerging leaders who are exploring opportunities to advance to higher-level administrative positions
  • Brief description of the campus project/initiative you will lead under the guidance of a designated mentor
  • Endorsement from a president/chancellor or cabinet-level administrator from your home institution

Important Dates

  • The 2025 program will take place from June 2025 to December 2025
  • Applications  and endorsements for 2025 are due February 10, 2025