Leadership Development

Becoming A Provost Academy

This yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts.

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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.

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
  • 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 2023 BAPA will take place from July 2023 to July 2024. 

  • Nomination deadline: February 6, 2023 
  • Academic Affairs Summer Meeting (July 19-21, 2023, Baltimore, MD) 
  • Opening Seminar (July 22-23, 2023, Baltimore, MD) 
  • Virtual workshops (monthly, August 2023 – June 2024) 
  • Closing Seminar (July 16-17, 2024, Denver, CO) 

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.  

Dates for the 2024-25 BAPA will be posted in fall 2023. 

  • Applications that are complete, including a nomination/endorsement from a president/chancellor or provost, and submitted by the deadline 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. 
  • Nomination or 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 2023–2024 academic year is $2,850 per applicant. 

The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person intensive, and all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2023 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting. 

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Baltimore, MD. 

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

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.

Lynnette Zelezny

President
California State University, Bakersfield

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!

Brenda Nichols

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Lamar University (TX)

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.

Anita Borja Enriquez

Senior Vice President and Provost, Academic and Student Affairs
University of Guam

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.

Patricia L. Donat

Senior Vice President
Southern Association of College Schools Commission on Colleges

Hear from BAPA Alumnus Darrell Newton

Hear from BAPA Alumnus Christie Shelton.

Our Partner

American Academic Leadership Institute
Application Details

The application period for BAPA is now closed. Applications for 2024 will open in fall 2023. For reference, a full submission requires the candidate to submit a form along with a curriculum vitae and nomination/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 2024 program will take place starting July 16-17, 2024. 

Sign up to be notified for 2024 applications.

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