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

• Nomination Deadline: February 9, 2026
• Opening Seminar (June 15-16 2026, Washington, DC)
• Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (July 2026–May 2027)
• Closing Seminar (June 10-11, 2027, Washington, DC)

In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.

• Enrollment and marketing 
• Endowment and financial management 
• Government relations 
• Alumni relations 
• 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 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 2026-2027 academic year is $3,750 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.

cancellation fees

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

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

The 2026-27 Becoming A Provost Academy will take place from June 2026 to July 2027.

• Nomination deadline: February 9, 2026
• Opening Seminar (June 17-18, 2026, Washington, DC)
• Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (August 2026 – June 2027)
• Closing Seminar (July 12-13, 2027, Atlanta, GA)

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

• 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, 2026 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 2026-2027 academic year is $4,675 per applicant.
• The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2027 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting after the 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.

cancellation fees

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

• Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times
• Tailored to the distinctive needs of mid-career academic or administrative professionals exploring leadership roles at regional public 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
• Learn and apply the fundamentals of project management
• Develop critical skills for leading transformational institutional change
• Strengthen communication skills
• Enhance management and leadership skills; specifically leading up, down and sideways
• Build a strong and supportive network of peers and mentors
• Demonstrate leadership skills by leading an on-campus project or initiative

• University governance, structure and systems to support students
• Budgeting, finance and administration
• Effective communications
• Navigating and leading change
• Leadership case studies in crisis management
• Managing staff and faculty
• Navigating the search process
• National trends in higher education
• Regional Public Universities – our unique role
• Project 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 advisor. The project will have an impact on the campus community and 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 a 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).

• An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office (June 23–25, 2026)
• Up to 12 interactive 60-to 120-minute interactive virtual sessions (August–December 2026)
• 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 AASCU institutions across the country
• Preference is given to applicants from AASCU member institutions and regional public universities.

• 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 

2026 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 April 10, 2026

Scholarships

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

Cancellation Fees

• Cancellations received before May 1 are eligible for a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.  
• Cancellation requests received on or after May 1, 2026 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.

• We explore the evolving presidential competencies required to lead with courage and clarity in today’s dynamic and uncertain higher education landscape.
• We facilitate dialogues about our collective commitment to advancing social and economic mobility for each student.
• We cultivate a learning environment that is personalized, inclusive, and rooted in trust, confidentiality, and psychological safety — where every voice is valued.

Clarifying Leadership Aspirations

Helping participants assess their readiness and desire for presidential leadership through deep self-reflection and exploration.

Building Executive Competencies

Offering practical training, case studies, and theoretical learning to develop the strategic, operational, and adaptive skills needed to lead complex institutions.

Learning from Presidential Leaders

Engaging with experienced presidents, chancellors, and experts who provide real-world insights and mentorship.

Gaining Immersive Experience

Shadowing a current president and apply learning in authentic contexts.

Receiving Personalized Development

Utilizing our leadership assessment and executive coaching to identify strengths, address growth areas, and craft a tailored development plan.

Accessing Ongoing Support

Connecting with a vibrant network of peers, mentors, and MLI alumni who offer continued guidance, encouragement, and opportunity.

Programming will be a blended format with 2 in-person and up to 6 virtual engagements. In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded. 100% attendance and participation is expected. Virtual programming will take place on select Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET (exact dates TBD). 

• Two in-person seminars in Washington, DC (June 10-13, 2026 and March 10-12, 2027)
• Up to 6 interactive 60- to 120-minute virtual sessions–select Tuesdays between 3 and 5 p.m. ET between August 2026 and March 2027 (exact dates TBA)
• Consutations with executive coach (July 2026- October 2026)
• Mentoring with current AASCU presidents and chancellors (September 2026–March 2027)
• Consultations with MLI President in Residence (September 2026-February 2027)

• Participants apply to the MLI program and are admitted through a rigorous selection process administered by a selection committee composed of presidents and chancellors. Successful applicants will demonstrate the following:
  • Leadership experience necessary to achieve a presidency or chancellorship in higher education
  • A terminal degree, significant experience as a senior university executive, OR equivalent experience outside the academy in government or the private sector
  • Endorsement by their president or chancellor
  • The cohort size ranges from 25 to 30 participants

• A complete application for MLI includes the following:
  • Endorsement from the president/chancellor from your home institution
  • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals
  • Commitment to 100% participation at in- person and virtual programming

2026 Registration Fees

• For applicants from AASCU plus MLI member institutions: $5,500
• For applicants from AASCU or APLU member institutions: $6,500
• For applicants from non-member institutions: $7,500
• The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, and all materials. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Washington, D.C.
• Upon acceptance to MLI, participants must register no later than April 10, 2026

Scholarships

• Please note that limited scholarships will be made available to accepted applicants

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations received before May 1 are eligible for a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.  
• Cancellation requests received on or after May 1 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 next year’s cohort