New Presidents Academy
Join state university peers to prepare for the specific challenges first-time presidents and chancellors are likely to face.Â
Get notified.
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. Â

Who Should Participate
- The 2023 academy is open to first-time AASCU member and non-member presidents and chancellors appointed after July 2022. Exceptions may be made for presidents who began prior to July 2022 if space permits.Â
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 chancellorÂ
- Strengthen your leadership skillsÂ
- Assess and reflect on your leadership strengths and define areas for growthÂ
- Engage in a mentoring partnership with an experienced president. Â
- Connect with a diverse faculty of experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts in advancement, communications, governance, and financial management
What to Expect
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions will be integrated throughout the programÂ
- Dialogues about AASCU institutions’ commitment to access and student success outcomes will be included throughoutÂ
- We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and customized learning environment built on trust, confidentiality, and safety among the cohortÂ
- 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 leadershipÂ
- Support new presidents with a practical orientation to the presidency. Â
- 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 careersÂ
- Explore the president’s multiple roles Â
- Assess current state of university including the effectiveness of the senior team
- Role of the president Â
- Crisis managementÂ
- Equity-minded, student-centered leadershipÂ
- Fundraising Â
- Strategic planning Â
- Advocacy, government relations and advancementÂ
- Building and engaging your leadership team
- Financial managementÂ
The 2023 NPA will take place from July to December 2023.Â
 The program will feature:  Â
- Four-day, in-person gathering (July 26-29, 2023 at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California)Â
- Monthly interactive cohort gatherings held over three months (August, September, and October)Â
- Half-day in-person gathering in conjunction with AASCU’s Annual Conference (November 5, 2023 at the Fairmont Chicago, Illinois) Â
- Optional small group reflection and discussion sessions regarding each participant’s leadership challenge
- Asynchronous learning modules (pre-reads)Â
- Formal mentoring with NPA faculty and current and retired AASCU presidents and chancellorsÂ
- Access to AASCU (phone a friend) resource list of AASCU presidents and chancellorsÂ
The in-person gathering for the 2024 NPA will be July 24-27, 2024, at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, CA.Â
- The 2023 academy is open to first-time AASCU member and non-member presidents and chancellors appointed after July 2022.
- Exceptions may be made for presidents who began prior to July 2022 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.Â
No formal application is required.Â
2023 Registration Fees
- Presidents/Chancellors from AASCU member institutions: $4,500
- Presidents/Chancellors from non-member institutions: $5,500Â
- The registration fee covers the virtual program, materials, and meals for 4 days, in-person gathering.Â
Scholarships
- Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from AASCU member institutions.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation requests received on or after June 1, 2023 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 NPA or receive a credit toward a different program.
Meet the 2023 NPA faculty.
NPA has convened an impressive faculty of current and former presidents, chancellors, cabinet-level administrators, and national subject matter experts.Â

Janine
Davidson
President
Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)

Mildred
GarcÃa
Chancellor
California State University System

Brendan
Kelly
President
University of West Georgia

Dorothy
Leland
Senior Consultant
AASCU Consulting

Ronald S.
Rochon
President
University of Southern Indiana

Cynthia
Teniente-Matson
President
San José State University (CA)

Charles L.
Welch
President
Arkansas State University System

Alisa
White
President
Sam Houston State University (TX)
Testimonials
Meet the 2023 Cohort

Andres
Acebo
Interim President
New Jersey City University

Sylvia A.
Alva
President
California State University Fullerton

Bonita
Brown
Interim President
Northern Kentucky University

Alexander
Conyers
President
South Carolina State University

Ron W.
Darbeau
Chancellor & Dean
Penn State Altoona

Michael J.
Dumont
Interim President
California State University Maritime Academy

Daniel
Ennis
President
Delta State University (MS)

Anita Borja
Enriquez
President
University of Guam

Richard T.
Esch
President
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Aubra
Gantt
Chancellor
Southern University Shreveport-Bossier City Campus

Jay D.
Gatrell
President
Eastern Illinois University

Anthony
Graham
Interim Chancellor
Winston-Salem State University (NC)

Corey A.
King
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Todd G.
Lamb
President
University of Central Oklahoma

Tomikia P.
Legrande
President
Prairie View A&M University (TX)

Peter O.
Nwosu
President
State University of New York at Oswego

Salvador Hector
Ochoa
President
Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Ron
Patterson
President
Chadron State College (NE)

Stuart E.
Rayfield
President
Columbus State University (GA)

Karen
Riley
President
Slippery Rock University (PA)

Dennis M.
Rome
Chancellor
Indiana University East

Lester
Sandres Rápalo
President
State University of New York Rockland Community College

Michael P.
Shannon
President
University of North Georgia

Dwayne
Smith
Interim President
Southern Connecticut State University

Suzanne
Smith
President
State University of New York College at Potsdam

David A.
Tandberg
President
Adams State University (CO)

Luke
Wood
President
California State University Sacramento
Application Details
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.Â
Application Requirements
- No application requiredÂ
Important Dates
- Registration for 2023 NPA is closed. Sign up below to be notified about regristration for the 2024 cohort.
Sign up to be notified about 2024 NPA registration.
"*" indicates required fields
Have questions about the New Presidents Academy?
"*" indicates required fields