About the Academy
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) are pleased to announce the 2025–26 Senior Leadership Academy (SLA), a yearlong program for administrators in higher education who aspire to cabinet-level positions in independent colleges or universities. Participants will acquire knowledge, skills, and experience germane to the responsibilities and activities central to the work of a vice president or cabinet officer.
Leaders for a New Era
The SLA fills a gap in the current leadership pipeline by preparing talented leaders with the skills needed to advance to a senior leadership position on campus. The SLA also helps participants broaden their understanding of the higher education ecosystem and of the full range of leadership roles needed for institutional success.
CIC is committed to preparing a diverse new generation of leaders to thrive on today’s campuses. Nominators will be expected to explain how the candidacy of their nominee will support this goal. Through generous support from AALI and the Mellon Foundation, CIC is also able to provide a select number of fellowships to support this broad participation. All candidates will be considered for one of these fellowships.
“Participating in the SLA was a career altering opportunity. Having the opportunity to learn with colleagues from independent colleges across the country helped me identify and fill in my own professional gaps and bring new ideas back to my campus. I am incredibly grateful to have been chosen for the 2023–24 cohort.”
COURTNEY DEMAYO PUGNO, SLA 2023–24, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND PROVOST, HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY (OH)
Program Details
The program consists of:
- Two seminars—one in Indianapolis, IN, October 31–November 1, 2025, and the other in Washington, DC, June 9–10, 2026—led by current presidents, vice presidents, and other senior leaders in higher education as well as experts in key areas;
- Readings in leadership theory and practice;
- Professional Experience Plan (PEP), a highly individualized plan to fill gaps in the participant’s expertise and experience;
- Mentorship by both the participant’s campus mentor and the program director;
- Individualized executive coaching throughout the program;
- Webinars, regional gatherings, book groups, campus visits, and other activities developed by participants.
“The Senior Leadership Academy provides the next generation of academic leaders the relevant knowledge and skills needed to lead in higher education today. I feel like the structured mentoring and networking aspects of the program have provided a foundation from which I can build the next steps of my academic career.”
PATRICK ARCHER, SLA 2023–24, ASSOCIATE PROVOST, ST. AMBROSE UNIVERSITY (IA)
Program Results
Since 2010, over 230 of the participants who completed the Senior Leadership Academy have experienced career advancement. In addition to the professional advancement of participants, successful outcomes also occur when participants strengthen their leadership in their current positions.
“SLA provided me the opportunity to network and learn from talented leaders and experts in higher education and develop critical skills needed to advance my career and take the next steps in my career journey. Under the well designed SLA program, I’ve learned and developed more in the last year as an academic administrator and educator than the previous five years combined.”
GREG PILLAR, SLA 2022–23, ASSOCIATE PROVOST FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE (NC)
Fellowships
Through generous support from AALI and the Mellon Foundation, CIC is also able to provide a select number of fellowships to support broad participation. All candidates will be considered for one of these fellowships.
Location and Costs
The fall seminar will be held in Indianapolis, IN, October 31–November 1, 2025. The closing seminar will be held in Washington, DC, on June 9–10, 2026.
The individual program fee for the 2025–26 academic year is $3,135, which includes all program costs as well as meals during the two seminars. Participants or their institutions are responsible for travel and lodging expenses.
“Senior Leadership Academy is where you go to spend a year delving into your professional and personal growth. It is a community of learning from other leaders, learning from each other, and learning about yourself. You will leave feeling prepared for your present and future opportunities, and with a network of growth-minded professionals in higher education.”
APRIL TAYLOR, SLA 2023–24, ASSOCIATE PROVOST, LOGAN UNIVERSITY (MO)
Contact Information
For questions about the nomination process, selection process, or program logistics, contact Marina Esteve Wagstaff, assistant to the senior vice president for academic programs and program coordinator, CIC, at mwagstaff@cic.edu or (202) 552-8986.
For questions about program content, contact Javier Cevallos, president, AALI, at javier@americanali.org or (202) 263-7488.