21 Higher Ed Leaders Selected for the 2026 Academy for New Provosts
Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
edmondsk@aascu.org
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2026 – The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has selected 21 chief academic officers to take part in its 2026 Academy for New Provosts. The program is designed to support first-time provosts at regional public universities, equipping them with the tools, strategies, and professional connections needed to succeed in their roles.
The 2026 Academy for New Provosts cohort will meet in Washington, D.C., Oct. 27–30, for its first in-person gathering. Participants will also attend interactive virtual sessions before reconvening at AASCU’s 2027 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders in July. Throughout the program, participants will have opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from experienced higher education leaders, and build relationships with peers facing similar challenges.
“Stepping into the provost role brings new responsibilities, difficult decisions, and opportunities to shape an institution’s future,” said Terry Brown, AASCU’s vice president of academic innovation and transformation. “The Academy for New Provosts gives these leaders a space to learn from one another, gain practical insights, and build a network of colleagues they can turn to long after the program ends.”
Participants will explore essential topics, including strategic communication, psychological and physical resilience, courageous leadership, and budgeting. The program will also address the importance of managing key relationships, leading institutional change, and balancing academic priorities with financial realities. Through these sessions, participants will strengthen their understanding of exemplary academic leadership and develop strategies they can apply at their institutions.
View the 2026–27 Academy for New Provosts cohort.
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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.
