• Student success is a key contributor to a more equitable society. Studies have shown that student success in college can increase economic mobility, reshape opportunities, and transform the lives of both students and their families.
• There is empirical evidence that changing institutional practices and policies can increase student success outcomes and narrow achievement and opportunity gaps among all students.
• Provosts and vice presidents for student affairs are critical agents of the president or chancellor in transforming their institutions to achieve greater student outcomes.
• Provosts, charged with overseeing the academic enterprise of an institution, and vice presidents for student affairs, charged with the support for the well-being of the whole student, are essential partners in student success.

Provosts and Vice Presidents for Student Affairs who participate in the SSI will:

• be able to assess and develop their leadership styles to more effectively drive positive change at their institutions.
• deepen their understanding of student success practices and further develop their skills to effectively implement promising practices.
• understand the specific roles data play and how to leverage data to increase and accelerate student success initiatives at their institutions.
• understand and be able to articulate the critical role of teaching and learning and supporting faculty development for equitable student success.
• critically reflect on their own implicit biases and build their skills to become equity conscious leaders.
• understand how to work in partnership with their Cabinet-level peers to develop and implement effective plans for student success initiatives.

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 dates between 3 and 5 p.m. ET (exact dates TBD).

• An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office (September 9-11, 2025)
• Two interactive virtual workshops (November 2025 and February 2026)
• Regular coaching sessions with program faculty (December 2025 – June 2026)
• A student success plan that the participant designs for their campus
• Campus plan presentations at the AASCU 2026 Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders (July 2026, date and location TBA)

In addition to the above meetings, all SSI participants will apply their learnings to a self-directed student success plan. 

• Leadership 
• Student Success 
• Equity 
• Data 
• Teaching and Learning 

The Student Success Institute (SSI) is a leadership development program tailored to the needs of campus leaders driving student success initiatives. Participants include provosts and vice presidents of student affairs. Participants must have at least one year in their current role.

All eligible members will be admitted as space allows. Nonmembers who are eligible will be allowed to register if space is available. Participants may register and attend as a pair from the same institution, or individually. Participants from the same institution will work together to develop or refine the campus student success plan.

The application period for the 2025 SSI Cohort will open in November 2024. A complete application for the Student Success Institute includes the following:

• Applications and endorsements are due by February 10, 2025
• Nomination or endorsement from the president or chancellor from your home institution. (Only one endorsement required per provost/VPSA pair.)
• Clear and concise summary of your leadership and student success goals.
• Commitment to 100% participation.

Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions.

2025 Registration Fees

• Participants from AASCU member institutions: $4,200
• Participants from non-member institutions: $5,200 (admitted if space allows)

The program fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person intensives, registration for the 2025 AASCU Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders and all materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.

Scholarships

• Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from AASCU member institutions. 

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
• Mentorship from experienced presidents  
• Opportunity for real-time application and impact of tools and trainings via a Professional Experience Plan 
• Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort 

• Enhance the skills and knowledge of cabinet-level administrators as they contemplate future roles as college or university presidents or other senior executive positions 

Programming will be delivered in a blended format, with in-person and virtual programming. In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. 100% attendance and participation is expected.

• Two in-person seminars in Washington, DC (June 16-17, 2025 and June 12-13, 2026)
• Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (July 2025–May 2026)
• The creation of a highly individualized Professional Experience Plan (PEP) designed to fill “gaps” in the participant’s expertise and experience
• Mentorship by both the participant’s current president and the program director

• Enrollment and marketing 
• Endowment and financial management 
• Government relations 
• Alumni relations 
• Inclusion and belonging 
• Crisis communications 
• Strategic planning 

• Applications that are complete, including a nomination/endorsement from a president/chancellor who will serve as the participant’s mentor, and submitted by the deadline will be considered.
• AASCU and AALI staff 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 ELA includes the following: 

• Nomination or endorsement from the president/chancellor from your home institution 
• Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals 
• Commitment to 100% participation 

Seminars are led by a teaching faculty of AASCU and CIC presidents and chancellors, vice presidents and chancellors, and other national subject matter experts.

The program fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is $3,575 per applicant.

The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, and all materials.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodations to/in Washington, DC.

Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from qualifying institutions. AALI and Academic Search provide financial support to enable this program fee to be kept at this level.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
• Mentoring and Executive Coaching 
• Opportunity for real-time application and impact of tools and trainings via a Professional Experience Plan 
• Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort 

• Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts 
• Participants will prepare a Professional Experience Plan (PEP) working with campus mentor.  

Programming will be delivered in a blended format, with in-person and virtual programming. In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. 100% attendance and participation is expected.

• Two in-person seminars (July 17-18, 2025, Indianapolis, IN and July 2026) which will be held in conjunction with the AASCU Summer Meeting for Academic and Student Affairs Leaders
• Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (August 2025 – June 2026)
• The creation of a Professional Experience Plan (PEP), a highly individualized plan of activities developed by the participant and their mentor
• Mentorship by both the participant’s campus mentor and the program director designed to fill the identified gaps in the participant’s expertise and experience

• Applications that are complete, including an endorsement from a president/chancellor or provost who will serve as the participant’s mentor, and submitted by February 9, 2025 will be considered.
• AASCU and AALI staff review applications and select a cohort that reflects the diversity of AASCU institutions.
• Admissions preference will be given to applicants currently employed at AASCU member institutions.
• If space allows, consideration will be given to participants from institutions serving in other higher education sectors.

• Endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from your home institution 
• Nominee’s curriculum vitae 
• Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals 
• Commitment to 100% participation 

Seminars are led by a teaching faculty of AASCU provosts, AASCU presidents and chancellors, and other national subject matter experts.

• The program fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is $4,455 per applicant.
• The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2026 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting after Closing Seminar.
• Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation to/in both seminar locations.
• Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from qualifying institutions. Preference will be given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise would be unable to support a participant.

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
• 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.