Department Chair Leadership Institute Application Confirmation

Thank you for applying to the
Department Chair Leadership Institute.

You will receive an email confirmation shortly. Please contact leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org with questions.

Department Chair Leadership Institute Endorsement Confirmation

Thank you for endorsing a candidate for
the Department Chair Leadership Institute.

You will receive an email confirmation shortly. Please contact leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org with questions.

Submit another endorsement.

Department Chair Leadership Institute Endorsement

Please complete the following form to endorse a candidate for the Department Chair Leadership Institute.

  • You may endorse more than one candidate; please submit a new form for each person.
  • Endorsements must be submitted by a dean, provost, or president/chancellor from the candidate’s institution.
  • After you complete this form, both you and the candidate will receive confirmation that the endorsement was submitted. The candidate will receive a confirmation email once their application is complete (this may take 2-3 business days after submitting application and endorsement).

Deadline for submission: 11:59 p.m. PT, October 10, 2023.

Candidates will be informed of their acceptance status by late October.

Please note that you must complete this form in one sitting. You may wish to prepare your responses in a word document and then paste them into the appropriate fields.

Please contact leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org with questions.

"*" indicates required fields

Endorser's Full Name*
Endorser's title*
No abbreviations please.
Candidate's Name*
No abbreviations please.

The 2024 DCLI program 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.

  • In-person gathering in Washington, DC: January 10-11, 2024 OR August 14-15, 2024
  • Three virtual interactive webinars once a month to provide additional content and networking opportunities following the in-person intensive.

Department Chair Leadership Institute Application

Use this form to apply to AASCU’s Department Chair Leadership Institute. A full submission requires candidates to complete this form, and a nominator to endorse your candidacy (via a separate endorsement form) by October 10, 2023. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete (this may take 2-3 business days after submitting application and endorsement).

Please note that you must complete this form in one sitting. You may wish to prepare your responses in a word document and then paste them into the appropriate fields.

Please contact leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org with questions.

"*" indicates required fields

Full Name*
No abbreviations please.
How long have you served as a Department Chair?*
This information will be used to tailor the program and has no influence on your acceptance.
PDF format accepted.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Please select the session for which you are available.*
If you do not have a preference, select “January OR August.” AASCU will use your selection to build diverse cohorts. Your preference will not influence your admission to the program.

The 2024 DCLI program 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.

  • In-person gathering in Washington, DC: January 10-11, 2024 OR August 14-15, 2024
  • Three virtual interactive webinars once a month to provide additional content and networking opportunities following the in-person intensive.
What is your race? (Please check all that apply)*
Are you Hispanic or Latinx/a/o?*
What is your gender?*
Do you identify as transgender?*
What is your sexual orientation?*

Department Chair Leadership Institute 

DCLI is designed to develop critical skills for leading your department as an institutional citizen.

Apply today

Develop leadership skills needed to lead change during turbulent times. 

The Department Chair Leadership Institute is designed for current department chairs who serve at state colleges and universities and aspire to be dynamic, strategic, and empathetic leaders. Participants gain a national perspective on the importance of the department chair in serving the institutional mission, leading with an equity mindset, delivering value and ensuring student success. 

Who Should Participate

  • Current or newly appointed department chairs who are committed to strengthening their leadership skills.

How You’ll Benefit

  • Develop critical skills for leading your department as an institutional citizen. 
  • Build a strong and supportive network of colleagues and mentors. 
What to Expect
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout.
  • Tailored to the distinctive needs of department chairs serving at state colleges and universities.
  • Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort.
  • Develop critical skills for leading as an institutional citizen.
  • Equip department chairs with tools to overcome common challenges.
  • Prepare department chairs with tools and skills to succeed in their chair role as well as for future roles in university administration.

In anticipation of high demand, the Department Chair Leadership Institute will be offered twice in 2024. The program will be the same for both the January and August cohorts and will be led by a faculty of experienced Department Chairs and University Administrators from AASCU institutions.

  • Cohort One
    • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on January 10 and 11, 2024.
    • In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.
    • Two, 75-minute virtual sessions in February and March.
  • Cohort Two
    • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on August 14 and 15, 2024.
    • In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.
    • Two, 75-minute virtual sessions in September and October.
  • Leading your department in alignment with your institution’s mission and strategic plan
  • Growing and sustaining a future-focused department
  • Navigating difficult conversations
  • Maintaining relevance in the face of changes in higher education
  • Resource management
  • Principles of supervision
  • Wellness for leaders
  • Applications that are complete, including a nomination/endorsement from a dean, provost, president or chancellor, and submitted by the deadline will be considered.
  • The Department Chair Institute faculty will review applications and select a cohort that reflects the diversity of AASCU membership.
  • Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions.
  • A maximum of 36 participants will be selected for both cohorts.

The application period for Cohorts One and Two for this program will open in late summer 2023. A complete application for the Department Chair Institute includes the following:

  • Applications and endorsements are due by Oct. 10, 2023
  • Nomination or endorsement from a dean, provost, president or chancellor from your home institution. (Nominations from higher-level administrators do not carry more weight.)
  • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals.
  • Demonstrated interest in subsequent leadership positions.
  • Commitment to 100% participation.
  • $1250 members
  • $2250 non-members (AASCU members receive preference)
Is my institution an AASCU member?
Meet the Department Chair Leadership Institute faculty

Coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

AASCU member institutions may nominate more than one Department Chair. In order to engage a diverse cohort and to best serve as many of our member institutions as possible, AASCU may cap the number of participants from the same institution at two per cohort.

Aspiring leaders are encouraged to apply for the Department Chair Institute and for 2024 Leadership Development Programming. Program timing and curriculum is designed uniquely for different audiences.

AASCU Consulting offers a 1.5-day department chair institute onsite at your institution, followed by four 1-hour virtual workshops during the academic year.  The institution-specific onsite academy program aligns with the AASCU Department Chair Leadership Institute or can be further tailored to address specific topics at your institution. Contact Matt Ceppi to learn more.

Application Details

Apply today to participate  in a 2024 cohort.

Application Requirements

  • Nomination or endorsement from a dean, provost, president or chancellor from your home institution (nominations from higher-level administrators do not carry more weight.)
  • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals.
  • Demonstrated interest in subsequent leadership positions.
  • Commitment to 100% participation.

Important Dates

  • Applications and endorsements are due by Oct. 10, 2023
  • Registration will open in late summer 2023.
  • Cohort One
    • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on January 10 and 11, 2024.
    • Two, 75-minute virtual sessions in February and March 2024.
  • Cohort Two
    • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on August 14 and 15, 2024.
    • Two, 75-minute virtual sessions in September and October 2024.

Have questions about the Department Chair Leadership Institute?

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