• Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times.
• 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.

To meet the high demand among AASCU members for this program, the Department Chair Leadership Institute will be offered twice in 2026. The program will be the same for both the January and September 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 7 and 8, 2026.
  • In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.
  • Up to three 90-minute virtual sessions throughout the spring semester.
• Cohort Two
  • An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on September 9 and 10, 2026.
  • In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.
  • Up to three 90-minute virtual sessions throughout the fall semester.

Special thanks to Zulma Toro and Central Connecticut State University for piloting the department chair curriculum.

• 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 AASCU membership.
• Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions.
• A maximum of 40 participants will be selected for each cohort (a total of 80 chairs will be selected).
• AASCU expects to fill the January and September cohorts from applications submitted during this one application period.

The application period for Cohorts One and Two for this program will open in late August 2025. A complete application for the Department Chair Leadership Institute includes the following:

• Applications and endorsements are due by Oct. 14, 2025.
• 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.

Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions.

• $1,700 members
• $2,700 non-members (AASCU members receive preference)

Scholarships

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

Cancellation Fees

• Cancellations received before July 1 are eligible for a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.  
• Cancellation requests received on or after July 1 are NOT eligible for a refund.
• If you need to cancel please email leadershipdevelopment@aascu.org. 

AASCU member institutions may nominate more than one Department Chair. In order 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 Leadership Institute and for 2026 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, with additional opportunities for 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.