All-ADP Meeting: Leading for Democracy
The ADP community connects to discuss AASCU’s Leading for Democracy initiative.
All-ADP Meeting: Voter Engagement and Education
The ADP community connects to discuss AASCU’s Leading for Democracy initiative.
All-ADP Meeting: Strategizing Civic Engagement
The ADP community connects with representatives from The New York Times.
National Constitution Day Conversations
A national facilitated dialogue based on the fundamental value of the pursuit of knowledge for the public good.
A University Leader’s Glossary for AI and Machine Learning
A guide for college and university leaders to understand what AI actually is, and how it works.
Department Chair Leadership Institute
DCLI is designed to develop critical skills for leading your department as an institutional citizen.
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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, 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
- 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.
Program impact
77% pt. increase
19% of January 2024 cohort members reported feeling connected before the program vs. 96% who felt connected at the end of day 2.
4.38/5
Average rating of content, presentation, and speaker quality for the January program.
“Participating in the Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI) was a transformational experience that expanded my perspective from departmental leadership to broader institutional leadership. The program provided a valuable space for peer consultation, where participants could openly exchange ideas, experiences, and leadership challenges in a supportive environment. I also greatly appreciated the networking opportunities facilitated by AASCU, which helped build meaningful professional connections with higher education leaders from across the country. DCLI strengthened both my leadership mindset and my confidence to contribute more strategically within higher education.”
“The DCLI was one of the most fruitful professional development programs I have ever participated in. I had the opportunity to connect with some of the most inspiring department chairs from across the country. The challenges and triumphs we shared were incredibly motivating and inspiring as I continued on my path to becoming a better leader each day. The insights shared by all the speakers were incredibly helpful as we continued to navigate both the challenges and opportunities of leadership.”
This was an excellent experience. I will take many lessons and implement them into my role as a chair. I feel I have also made some new connections that I will communicate with along this journey. Thank you!
Meet the Department Chair Leadership Institute faculty
Richard
Helldobler
President
William Paterson University (NJ)
Lisa
Hunter
Associate Vice President for Academic Innovation and Transformation
AASCU
Renea P.
Morris
Interim Chief of Strategic Marketing
Excelsior University
April
Massey
Chief Academic Officer
University of the District of Columbia
Kathleen
Scott
Vice President of Leadership Development and Partnerships
AASCU
Mary C.
Toale
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
State University of New York at Geneseo
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
2026 Cohort #1
Muninder Kaur
Ahluwalia
Acting Chairperson, Counseling, College for Community Health
Montclair State University (NJ)
Ananda S.
Amarasekara
Chair Department of Chemistry and Physics
Prairie View A&M University (TX)
Jose
Anguiano
Interim Chair, Department of Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies
California State University Los Angeles
Valeriya
Avdeev
Chair, Department of Accounting and Law
William Paterson University (NJ)
Matthew
Baumer
Chairperson, Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Kayla
Bieser
Professor and Department Chair of Physical and Life Sciences
Nevada State University
Mary
Bowman
Program Director-Chair/Health Information Administration
Chicago State University (IL)
Melissa
Brechner
Department Chair and Assistant Professor, Plant Science
State University of New York Cobleskill
Ryan
Cain
Chair and Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Weber State University (UT)
Constantin
Ciocanel
Mechanical Engineering Department Chair
Northern Arizona University
Clifton D.
Clark III
Professor/Department Chair, Physics
Fort Hays State University (KS)
Amanda
Cleveland
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychological Science and Human Services
Lander University (SC)
Jessica
Conrad
Chair, School of Arts and Humanities; Assistant Professor of English
University of Tennessee Southern
Victoria
Depew
Director of School of Stage and Screen
Western Carolina University (NC)
Jocelyn
Freeman
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Psychology
Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge
Christopher G.
Gravis
Chair, Department of Music
California State University, Los Angeles
David
Hack
Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Kinesiology
William Paterson University (NJ)
Kimberly C.
Harper
Department Chair, English
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Nicole
Henley
Interim Chair/Professor, Health Science Department
California State University, San Bernardino
Angie
Hodge-Zickerman
Professor (Mathematics & Statistics) / Chair (Educational Specialties)
Northern Arizona University
Elizabeth
Janzen
Interim Director, School of Music
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Luther
King
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy
Chicago State University (IL)
Yi-Ying
Lin
Director, Department of Counselor Education
Kean University (NJ)
Tamara J.
Lynn
Criminal Justice Program Chair and Professor
Fort Hays State University (KS)
Jennifer J.
Matthews
Associate Professor and Department Chair, Counseling
Oakland University (MI)
Stockton
Maxwell
Professor and Chair – Department of Geospatial and Earth Sciences
Radford University (VA)
Jeffrey
McCullough
Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Engineering
University of Tennessee at Martin
Suzanne K.
Miller
Director, School of Built Environment; Professor, Construction Technology & Management Program
Ferris State University (MI)
Stephen
Napoli
Executive Director, Institute for Leadership Development
Troy University (AL)
Rebekah E.
Piper
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Curriculum and Instruction
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Lisa
Poling
Chair/Professor, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum
Appalachian State University (NC)
Roberta D.
Raymond
Interim Department Chair and Associate Professor of Literacy
University of Houston-Clear Lake (TX)
Lyndsay
Rhodes
Chair, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Florida Gulf Coast University
Tiece M.
Ruffin
Chair and Professor, Department of Education
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Hamed
Shojaei
Professor of Physics/ Department Head, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Arkansas Tech University
Hideki
Takei
Professor and Department Co-Chair, Department of IT Management
Central Washington University
James
Vance
Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
DCLI Partner
Applications for 2026 are closed.
Application Details
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. 14, 2025
- Cohort One
- An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on Jan. 7 and 8, 2026.
- Three 90-minute virtual sessions throughout the spring semester.
- Cohort Two
- An intensive in-person program at AASCU’s Washington, D.C. office on Sept. 9 and 10, 2026.
- Up to three 90-minute virtual sessions throughout the spring semester.
Have questions about the Department Chair Leadership Institute?
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AASCU Washington Policy Update – July 2023
Join AASCU’s government relations staff to parse out the SCOTUS decisions on affirmative action and student loan forgiveness.
Exemplar Programs from ADP
Explore the rich history, powerful outcomes, and pervasive impact of these American Democracy Project programs.
Global Civic Literacy
Through partnership with World101 from the Council on Foreign Relations, faculty and staff designed curriculum, activities, and assessments to help students increase their knowledge of our global society and understand how global issues influence lives of everyday citizens. Occurring from 2019-2022, more than 80 faculty and staff from over 40 institutions participated in this project.
Resources
For more information and to access the critical resources that they created, please explore:
Participating in Politics
The Political Engagement Project (PEP), a partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, advanced democratic and electoral engagement by providing students with both tangible and critical-thinking skills for participating in the political world.
The Engaged the Election 2016 project, a partnership with The Democracy Commitment and icitizen, a civic engagement app, advanced informed nonpartisan engagement in the presidential election.
Economic Literacy
The Economic Literacy project was in partnership with Up to Us,and included over 40 faculty at 19 institutions. Designed to help students increase their knowledge of the U.S. national debt, fiscal policy, and overall financial literacy, faculty created a toolkit to share their strategies and resources more broadly.
The Economic Inequality Initiative focused on understanding the impact of economic inequality on our democracy while helping students think about and take action to confront its complex causes.
The America’s Future Initiative, a partnership with Public Agenda from 2008 to 2011, focused on educating students about looming national debt and deficits, while exploring potential solutions.
Developing Citizenship Skills
The Deliberative Polling Initiative, a partnership with the Center for Deliberative Democracy, engaged 29 AASCU campuses in the exploration of strategies to engage students, faculty, staff and community members in discussions about public issues and to develop students’ citizenship skills.
The eCitizenship Initiative, a partnership with the Center for the Study of Citizenship at Wayne State University from 2009 to 2012, brought together campuses to examine how emerging technologies, particularly social networks, support and facilitate civic and political engagement.
Improving Civic Health and Agency
The Civic Agency Initiative, a partnership with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship from 2008 to 2012, sought to produce a series of national models for developing civic agency among undergraduates.
The Campus and Community Civic Health Initiative, a partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) from 2012 to 2014, was designed to identify and develop campus and community civic health assessments and tools, as well as action plans that responded to the findings.
Questions about past programs? Let us know.
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China Studies Institute
The China Studies Institute (CSI) is a multidisciplinary professional development institute focused on helping participants integrate Chinese studies into global learning opportunities on their campuses.
Contact us.
Learn more about China to create exciting opportunities for your students.
The China Studies Institute is hosted in China and involves various activities, including intensive seminars, lectures, meetings, and cultural activities related to Chinese history, education, business, and culture. Institute faculty includes scholars, business leaders, education administrators from institutions and organizations in local Chinese communities, and relevant government officials.
Who should participate?
- Faculty interested in expanding global and area studies in their teaching.
- Senior international officers and staff seeking to support intercultural learning or international programs on campus.
How will you benefit?
- Learn from peers and counterparts on student mobility trends and faculty academic collaboration opportunities
- Gain first-hand experience about studying abroad in China
- Get to know the Chinese higher education system, policies, and institutional development
- Develop strategies for incorporating Chinese studies into global learning opportunities
- Participate in forums, seminars, and other activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships in China
- Network with partners or potential partners for further discussion on study abroad programs, policies, issues, and concerns in China and the US
- Expand student exchange opportunities with Chinese partners
impact
6
Number of years AASCU has provided this professional development opportunity for its members.
42
Number of Institutions that have participated in the Institute from across the U.S.
59
Number of faculty and administrators that have been trained by the Institute.
program highlights
Connect with Chinese partner institutions and administrators in the field.
Over the course of the two-week program, participants will explore the latest trends in student mobility among Chinese students. The agenda will provide an in-depth understanding of the changing policies and regulations in China and the increasing opportunities for American students interested in studying there. Additionally, the program will facilitate dialogue and collaboration between leaders from Chinese institutions and participants through various activities.
our stories
“The program was very well organized. The opportunity to visit different universities and the middle school and high school in Luoyang was insightful. The cultural activities, such as the library visit in Shanghai, the museum in Luoyang, the Longman Grottos, and the Great Wall, greatly complement the trip’s academic component.”
“For me, the most beneficial activities were the opening session at IEAS, the entire – and terrific – day at Changshu Institute of Technology (CIT), the visit to Foreign Language School Number 2, the visit (with one exception) to Henan University of Science and Technology (HUST), and the visit to the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).”
“The program was very well planned and implemented. The pre-departure correspondence and handbook were helpful guides to what to expect during the program. It was well thought out and excellently executed. Every experience was a learning opportunity. I look forward to going back to China with my faculty and students.”
“This program offers a great introduction to China and the Chinese higher education landscape: visits to Shanghai library, Longmen Grottoes, Great Wall, Luoyang No. 2 Foreign Language School, meeting with institutions at Changshu Institute of Technology and the activities they conducted, and meeting with faculty, staff, and students at Beijing Foreign Studies University.”
Applications for the China Studies Institute are closed.
Application information
- AASCU member institution applicant only: $1250 (to be paid after a candidate is selected and confirms participation).
- The Institute covers costs related to accommodations in China, in-country domestic transportation, and other organized activity expenses.
- The Institute DOES NOT cover ancillary expenses related to personal and miscellaneous expenses such as passport fees, visa fees, roundtrip airfare, and travel insurance.
Who can Apply
Applicants must be:
- A US citizen or US permanent resident.
- An administrator, staff, or teaching faculty at an AASCU member institution.
- Currently overseeing/working on programs involving global learning and engagement or teaching and developing curriculum related to creating opportunities for Chinese students on US campuses and American students to study abroad in China
- Endorsed by a president, chancellor, provost, or senior international officer either directly or at the request of the applicant
Required Documents
This program is hosted in China. Several necessary documents are required before travel.
- Application Form: Candidates must complete the form to apply for this program. Additionally, a nominator must endorse the candidate through a separate endorsement form by April 18, 2025.
- Resume/CV
- Endorsement Form: Chancellors, presidents, provosts, or senior international officers are suitable endorsers for this program.
- Valid passport: This program requires a valid passport with an expiry date of at least 6 months from the date of intended travel.
- Doctor’s Letter/Health Endorsement: This letter will be required if the applicant is selected to participate.
- Chinese Visa: If you do not already possess a Chinese visa, once selected, guidelines will be provided on how to acquire one for travel. Selected participants are responsible for the costs associated with acquiring a Chinese visa.
CSI is a national competition across AASCU institutions. A panel of senior international officers will select and recommend participants, and CEAIE will select the final candidates.
Successful applicants will demonstrate the following:
- Leadership in international education, specifically in developing or managing study abroad programs.
- Experience working with or a demonstrated interest in working with Chinese partner institutions to develop study abroad programs in China.
- The deadline for applications and endorsements: April 18, 2025
- Award notification for CSI: April 30, 2025
- Award acceptance deadline: May 9, 2025
- AASCU pre-departure orientation: May 22-23, 2025
- Arrival in Beijing: June 8, 2025
- China Studies Institute Program: June 8-21, 2025, in Beijing , Xi’an, and Shanghai
2024 CSI Cohort
Zlatinka N.
Blaber
Associate Professor of Accounting
Salem State University (MA)
Needha
Boutte-Queen
Acting Senior Associate Provost and Acting Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Texas Southern University
James
Callaghan
Assistant Vice President for International Education/Senior International Officer
Georgia College & State University
Olufunke
Fontenot
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Fort Valley State University
DoVeanna Sherie
Fulton
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Norfolk State University (VA)
Byron
Nichols
Assistant Director
Jacksonville State University (AL)
Rachel S.
Shinnar
Professor
Appalachian State University (NC)
Our Partner
Do you have additional questions about CSI? Let us know.
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AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo
The AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo is designed to support AASCU’s senior leaders in a bid to internationalize their campuses, by inviting them to participate in in a series of activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships in China.
Learn more.
Develop and sustain educational partnerships in China.
For the past 18 years, AASCU has supported member institutions in a bid to internationalize their campuses, by taking senior leaders to China to participate in a series of activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships with Chinese institutions.
This initiative represents an extraordinary opportunity to be introduced to or deepen understanding of partnerships in China.
Who should participate?
- Presidents
- Provosts
- Senior International Officers
- College Deans and Department Chairs
- International Enrollment/Recruiting Personnel
How will you benefit?
- Opportunities to promote your institution to over 50,000 students and their parents seeking global education opportunities.
- Familiarization with China and Chinese higher education system, policies and issues.
- Engage with educational leaders from across the globe on topics of mutual interest.
- Connect with partners or potential partners for further discussion on educational cooperation.
- Participate in forums and seminars and other activities designed to create and sustain educational partnerships in China.
Expand your institution’s presence in the world’s largest recruitment market.
This initiative in China, includes access to, and participation in the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE), hosted by AASCU’s longtime Chinese partner association, the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). Participants are encouraged to take advantage of the EXPO that attracts over 50,000 Chinese students interested in education abroad.
Programs and Activities
Education B2B offers a global networking platform for all individuals participating in the China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE). AASCU assists its members in registering and preparing for B2B sessions, as they are quite popular with individuals who are eager to develop partnerships, explore potential cooperation, and build pragmatic collaborations.
The China Education Expo features over 600 booths, representing institutions from countries around the world. AASCU offers a complementary booth shared by all member institutions participating in the conference. We encourage members to distribute materials and use this opportunity to meet with Chinese students interested in studying in the United States. The booth is primarily used to raise the awareness of Chinese students about AASCU institutions.
Impact
18
Number of years AASCU has provided this opportunity for its members.
200
Number of institutions that have participated in this initiative.
340
Number of institutional leaders that have participated in this initiative.
The 2025 AASCU China Partnerships and Education Expo China trip will be hosted in Beijing, China, Oct. 29-Nov.1.
Need more information on the Expo? Let us know.
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