Becoming A Provost Academy
This yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts.
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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
2023-2024 Cohort

Tabetha
Adkins
Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean, University College
West Chester University (PA)

Jennifer L.
Airey
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives and Dean of the Graduate School
University of Tulsa (OK)

Harry
Akoh
Dean, School of Arts & Sciences
Atlanta Metropolitan State College (GA)

Magdalena L.
Barrera
Vice Provost for Faculty Success
San José State University (CA)

Patrice
Boyles
Dean, Continuing Education and Nontraditional Programs
Chicago State University (IL)

Moira
Casey
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Miami University Regionals (OH)

David
Chevalier
Associate Vice-President for Academics
East Georgia State College

Carol A.
DeNysschen
Chair and Professor, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics
State University of New York at Buffalo

Jane
Dong
Dean, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering
California State University, Bakersfield

Matthew
Fete
Dean, College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
Chicago State University (IL)

Kevin
Gustafson
Dean of the Honors College
Northern Arizona University

Ann R.
Hawkins
Assistant Provost for Graduate Education and Research
SUNY System Administration

Cinnamon
Hillyard
Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Success
University of Washington Bothell

Bethany D.
Hinga
Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Nebraska Kearney

Debra
Jackson
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Academic Programs
California State University, Bakersfield

Feng-Ling M.
Johnson
Dean of University College & Associate Vice President for Student Success
St. Cloud State University (MN)

Ok-Hee
Lee
Dean of the College of Education and Human Services
Minnesota State University Moorhead

James
Margetts
Dean of Essential Studies and the School of Liberal Arts
Chadron State College (NE)

Keva
Miller
Dean
University of Washington Tacoma

Khadijah O.
Miller
Dean
Norfolk State University (VA)

Mark
Mossman
Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs
Western Illinois University

Brandi L.
Newkirk-Turner
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Jackson State University (MS)

Ursula
Payne
Interim Associate Provost
Slippery Rock University (PA)

Holley
Roberts
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of The Graduate School
Georgia College & State University

Sharleen
Santos-Bamba
Vice Provost
University of Guam

Aimee D.
Shouse
Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Faculty Affairs
Tarleton State University (TX)

Leesa
Thomas Banks
Department Chair
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Binod
Tiwari
Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Projects
California State University Fullerton

Vanessa K.
Valdés
Associate Provost for Community Engagement
The City College of New York

Kevin
Van Winkle
Associate Dean of Adult Learning
Colorado State University Pueblo

Carmen N.
Veloria
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Central Connecticut State University

Amitra A
Wall
Associate Provost
State University of New York, Buffalo State

Darius
Watson
Executive Director of Academic Initiatives
Lincoln University of Missouri

Patricia
Williams Dockery
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Morgan State University (MD)
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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