New Presidents Academy

Join state university peers to prepare for the specific challenges first-time presidents and chancellors are likely to face. 

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Dr. Garcia addresses the 2022 NPA cohort.
Dr. Garcia addresses the 2022 NPA cohort.
NPA class of 2022.
NPA class of 2022.

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.  

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. 

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 chancellor 
  • Strengthen your leadership skills 
  • Assess and reflect on your leadership strengths and define areas for growth 
  • Engage in a mentoring partnership with an experienced president.  
  • 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 program 
  • Dialogues about AASCU institutions’ commitment to access and student success outcomes will be included throughout 
  • We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging, and customized learning environment built on trust, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort 
  • 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 leadership 
  • Support new presidents with a practical orientation to the presidency.  
  • 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 careers 
  • Explore the president’s multiple roles  
  • Assess current state of university including the effectiveness of the senior team
  • Role of the president  
  • Crisis management 
  • Equity-minded, student-centered leadership 
  • Fundraising  
  • Strategic planning  
  • Advocacy, government relations and advancement 
  • Building and engaging your leadership team
  • Financial management 

The 2023 NPA will take place from July to December 2023. 

 The program will feature:   

  • Four-day, in-person gathering (July 25-29, 2023 at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California) 
  • Monthly two-hour, interactive cohort gatherings held over four months (August, September, October, November) 
  • Half-day in-person gathering (November 5, 2023 at the Fairmont Chicago, Illinois)  
  • Optional small group reflection and discussion sessions regarding each participant’s leadership challenge
  • Asynchronous learning modules (pre-reads) 
  • Formal mentoring with NPA faculty and current and retired AASCU presidents and chancellors 
  • Access to AASCU (phone a friend) resource list of AASCU presidents and chancellors 

The in-person gathering for the 2024 NPA will be July 24-27, 2024, at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, CA. 

  • 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. 

No formal application is required. 

2023 Registration opens in April.

2023 Registration Fees
  • Presidents/Chancellors from AASCU member institutions: $4,500
  • Presidents/Chancellors from non-member institutions: $5,500 
  • The registration fee covers the virtual program, materials, and meals for 4.5days, in-person gathering. 
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.
Is my institution an AASCU member?
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. 

Testimonials

NPA is an absolute must for all new college and university presidents. The depth of knowledge of the faculty and laser focus on mission critical best practices for success are extremely valuable. The intentionality and rich diversity of the NPA faculty and cohort members also speaks volumes about AASCU’s preeminent role in shaping the future of higher education.

Ericke Cage

President
West Virginia State University

Absolutely amazing. The right experience at the right time. I can see tangible ways that this is going to help me accelerate my transition, listen more deeply, and advance the work among a network of equity-minded colleagues.

John Hoffman

President
Bemidji State University (MN) and Northwest Technical College (MN)

The New Presidents Academy is a space and an experience that cannot be replicated at any other organization. You have individuals at a unique time of their lives, from unique institutions, all with a similar goal assembled by a unique organization. Cannot imagine not having been part of the NPA.

New Presidents Academy 2021 participant

I am overwhelmed and full from my NPA experience!! The ability to share and be with my NPA classmates is priceless and so so meaningful. Our in person experience was well planned and safe. Every session helped me reflect and think about my presidency from a different perspective.

New Presidents Academy 2021 participant

Meet the 2022 Cohort
Ericke Cage

Ericke S.

Cage

President

West Virginia State University

Bret

Danilowicz

President

Radford University (VA)

Wendell

Godwin

President

East Central University (OK)

Janet

Gooch

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield

Bo

Hannaford

President

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Adreain

Henry

President

Mercy College of Health Sciences (IA)

J. Carlos

Hernandez

President

Sul Ross State University (TX)

John Hoffman

John L.

Hoffman

President

Bemidji State University (MN)

Sheila Edwards

Lange

Chancellor

University of Washington Tacoma

Ming-Tung “Mike”

Lee

Interim President

Sonoma State University (CA)

Carolyn Lepre

Carolyn Ringer

Lepre

President

Salisbury University (MD)

Michelle

Malott

Interim Chancellor

Indiana University East

Steven

Mauro

President

“State University of New York, Alfred State College of Technology”

Shari G.

McMahan

President

Eastern Washington University

James T.

Minor

Chancellor

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Nancy S.

Niemi

President

Framingham State University (MA)

Milagros “Milly”

Peña

President

Purchase College, State University of New York

Stephen

Perez

Interim President

San José State University (CA)

Vanya

Quiñones

President

California State University Monterey Bay

Stacey

Robertson

President

Widener University (PA)

Kelly A.

Ryan

Interim Chancellor

Indiana University Southeast

David

Schecter

President

East Georgia State College

Todd

Shields

Chancellor

Arkansas State University Jonesboro

Aswani

Volety

Chancellor

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Lisa

Vollendorf

President

“State University of New York, Empire State College”

Darrell P.

Wheeler

President

State University of New York at New Paltz

Daniel K.

Wims

President

Alabama A&M University

Richard

Yao

President

California State University Channel Islands

Our Partners

Application Details

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. 

Application Requirements

  • No application required 

Important Dates

  • Registration for 2023 NPA will open in Spring 2023. 

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