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. 

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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, compassionate, resilient, accountable and courageous leaders and to further their institutions’ path to 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
  • Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times. 
  • 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?
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

“AASCU’s Emerging Leaders Program has been transformative in aligning my leadership aspirations with actionable goals. The program equipped me with essential skills to navigate university leadership roles, offering insights that directly resonate with my short-term goal of excelling in academic and administrative positions, and my long-term aspiration to advance in higher education leadership.”

Husam A. Alshareef

Colorado State University Pueblo
2024 ELP Cohort Member

“Due to my participation in the program, I am a more confident leader on-campus and in my community, and I have gained clarity on the path I wish to take as I progress in my career. Additionally, I gained a community of support that I can leverage for informal or formal academic, professional, and/or social support. I recommend this program to anyone working in higher education that have aspirations to ascend in leadership whether that be on the faculty or administrative side.”

Chapman Rackaway

Radford University
2024 ELP Cohort Member

The Emerging Leaders Program exceeded my expectations with its exceptional organization, timely relevance to the evolving landscape of higher education and social climate, and unwavering commitment to equity-minded intentionality. The program’s faculty provided pragmatic and supportive guidance, fostering a rich environment for personal and professional growth. Due to my participation in the program, I am a more confident leader on-campus and in my community, and I have gained clarity on the path I wish to take as I progress in my career.”

Theodore W. Johnson

University of Nebraska at Omaha
2024 ELP Cohort Member

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
Meet the 2025 Cohort

Latisha

Addison

Associate Vice President Student Financial and Military Success

Texas Southern University

Maureen P.

Artale

Executive Director for Academic Student Support and University Registrar

State University of New York at Oneonta

El Hachemi

Bouali

Associate Professor of Geosciences

Nevada State University

Nichole J.

Brown

Director of the School of Education Clinical Practice and Partnerships Office and Director/Principal Investigator, Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC II) Program

State University of New York at Oswego

Cornelius

Brownlee

Assistant Dean of Student Conduct and Community Standards

Lincoln University of Missouri

Kyle

Carrigan

Director of Concurrent Enrollment and Continuing Education

Central Washington University

Christina R. Caul

Christina R.

Caul

Director of Student Success

Kentucky State University

Jason D.

Coleman

Associate Dean, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Todd C.

Couch

Associate Professor of Sociology, Co-Director of African and African American Studies

Francis Marion University (SC)

Gregory

Dam

Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

Indiana University East

Felipe

Filomeno

Director of Global Studies and Associate Professor of Political Science

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Logan J.

Fowler

Chief Communications & Marketing/State & Local Affairs Officer

Lewis-Clark State College (ID)

Barbara D.

Garrett

Chair and Professor

University of Northern Colorado

Siobahn Grady

Siobahn

Grady

Founding Director, Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research; Associate Professor of Information Science

North Carolina Central University

Brad

Hamel

Executive Director – Global Campus

Northern Michigan University

Rolanda

Harris

Director of Adult Continuing Education and Prior Learning Assessment

Delaware State University

Andrea D.

Jasper

Dean, School of Education

Georgia Gwinnett College

Drew

Johnson

Program Director The TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

North Carolina Central University

Brandy

Johnston

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance/Treasurer

Arkansas State University Jonesboro

Dustin L.

Jones

Associate Dean

Sam Houston State University (TX)

Ellen

Koski

Assistant Director, Strategic Planning

Northern Michigan University

Michael

Kush

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Dean of Students

State University of New York at Oneonta

Karla J.

Leybold

Assistant Dean and Director, Quillen Honors Scholars Program

East Tennessee State University

Carson

Medley

Assistant Dean, Director, Office of Prestigious Awards and Scholar Development

East Tennessee State University

Chantel

Merchen

Director-Office of Academic Success

Chadron State College (NE)

Clay

Motley

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Florida Gulf Coast University

Kelly

O’Bryan

Director of University College

Langston University (OK)

Latofia

Parker

Chair, Department of Consumer & Human Sciences; Director of UM Grainger Community Counseling & Wellness Clinic; Professor of Counselor Education

University of Montevallo (AL)

Kimberly C.

Riddick

Director, Student Leadership and Success

University of North Texas at Dallas

Rachna

Sadana

Chair and Professor, Department of Natural Sciences

University of Houston-Downtown (TX)

Priyank Shah

Priyank

Shah

Associate Vice Chancellor of Equity and Inclusion

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Satish K.

Sharma

Professor and Director, Antenna and Microwave Lab (AML)

San Diego State University (CA)

Timothy

St. John

Dean of Students

Fitchburg State University (MA)

Dillon S.

Tatum

Department Chair, Department of Political Science and Geography

Francis Marion University (SC)

Geoffrey L.

Wood

Chair, Behavioral Sciences Division; Associate Professor of Sociology; Director, Center for Applied Research (CFAR)

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (PA)

Crystal A.

Wymer-Lucero

Director of Alumni Relations

California State University, San Bernardino

Murat

Yaşar

Deputy to the President for Strategy, Planning, and Special Projects

State University of New York at Oswego

Our Thought Partners

Applications for the 2025 ELP cohort are closed.

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

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