NYS Community College Leadership Academy

Why Attend?

This program is based on the Aspen College Excellence Program curriculum which is focused on supporting community college leaders to lead from where they are, as well as gain skills needed to move into senior leadership positions.

Over the past two years, 67 Fellows from 25 community colleges have participated in the program. Of the Fellows from Cohort 1, ten have received promotions at their colleges, several have been identified to lead important strategic initiatives, and one Fellow credits her participation in the program with an idea resulting in a national federal grant.

A hallmark of the program is the diversity of the Fellows by their role in the college which fosters collaboration and cross-functional understanding.

Curriculum

The content for this program draws heavily on the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program Curriculum, in partnership with National Center for Inquiry & Improvement (NCII) and Ohio Association of Community Colleges’ Success Center and is aligned with the strategic priorities of NYS’s community colleges.

Fellows will complete discussion reflections following each session module and a project over the course of the program. Each Fellow will be provided with a copy of the AACC Competencies book and will receive a CliftonStrengths assessment report to help them assess their leadership strengths.  Following completion of the program, all Fellows will be included in an alumni program which provides ongoing learning opportunities.

Topics include:

• Session 1: The Essential Roles of Leadership in Student Success: New York State’s Community Colleges, Community College 3.0, and Using a Data-Driven Approach
• Session 2: Keeping Students’ End Goals in Mind: Improving Labor Market Outcomes and Improving Transfer at Scale
• Session 3: The Student Experience: Improving Teaching and Learning and Redesigning Advising to Better Support Students
• Session 4: Leadership Traits to Drive Change: Leading from Where You Are, Striving for Equity as a Core Component of Leadership, Leadership Qualities
• Session 5: Managing and Advancing Institutional Change: Building Strong Teams to Lead Institutional Transformation and Using Finance Strategically to Advance Reforms
• Session 6: Effective External Partnerships and the Leadership Journey: Leading Highly Effective External Strategic Partnerships, Reflections on Personal Leadership Journey and Leadership Academy Cohort Participation Recognition

Timeline

(Session dates subject to change prior to final registration):

• Fellows Announced: Late August/Early Sept 2025
• Orientation: Dates TBD Virtual Orientation 1 (9-11 am) & Virtual Orientation 2 (9-11 am)
• Sessions:
  • October 30-31, 2025 Kickoff Session 1 (System)
  • November 20-21, 2025 Session 2 (Campus)
  • December 5 & 19, 2025 Session 3 (Virtual; 9 am – 12 pm)
  • February 13 & 27, 2026 Session 4 (Virtual; 9 am – 12 pm)
  • April 23-24, 2026 Session 5 (Campus)
  • June 11-12, 2026 Session 6 Capstone (System)

Fellow Expectations

Participants will gather six times over the course of the program with other bonus additional sessions throughout. The in-person sessions will be held either at a campus or at the SUNY System Office. These gatherings will require approximately 2.5 days (including travel time) or be held virtually via Zoom.

In addition to the in-person sessions, participants will be asked to attend two virtual orientation sessions, and will be asked to review materials, readings, and watch videos between sessions. The participants will also meet virtually in small teams on a project throughout the course of the Leadership Academy. There will be time for teams to advance their work at the in-person sessions but work outside these sessions will also be required. Discussion posts and materials will be available using the SUNY DLE Brightspace.

Leadership Academy Fellows are expected to:

• Sign a statement of intent that includes the expectations for the
• Complete all pre-work and readings prior to all
• Attend and actively participate in all Leadership Academy sessions/activities, including scheduled orientations, small group meetings, and preview webinars before each session.
• Apply lessons learned through the formal Leadership Academy project and informally through day-to-day actions at their home college.
• Regularly connect with their home college’s Leadership Academy in between sessions of the program.
• Complete program elements and receive a certificate of completion and a Credly badge for
• Serve as mentors and contributors for future SUNY Leadership Academy

Nomination Criteria

Space is limited for the program. Campus presidents and other senior campus leaders are encouraged to nominate institutional leaders (below the cabinet and VP level) who they feel have the experience and potential to advance in their roles and careers. A minimum of three years of employment in higher education who demonstrate leadership and administrative experience is required.

This program is particularly relevant to the following roles:

• Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents and Provosts
• Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, and Division Chairs
• Executive Directors and Directors
• Other middle level leaders below VP/cabinet level and above entry level

Program participants are:

• Are forward-looking leaders with a strong commitment to the success of students and the improvement of the college community.
• Are from diverse backgrounds and represent different functional areas of the institution. We welcome with individuals from all areas of the college.
• Are available to attend and participate in all Leadership Academy activities.

The nominator also agrees to serve as the Leadership Academy Champion. This individual will provide ongoing support and mentorship to the college’s fellow(s) by connecting with them between the sessions of the program. If this is a self-nomination, the participant will need to secure approvals for participation with the college and secure a college Champion.

For any questions about the nomination process or timeline, contact Michaela.Rehm@suny.edu.

Program Fee

Fee: $1,400 CPD Member / $1,500 CPD Non-member

Once your nomination has been accepted you will receive instructions on how to register for the program.

The program fee will cover all in person session meals and program materials. Travel support (including hotel, mileage, and meals before and after the in-person sessions) will be covered by the participant or college. The participant will secure any supervisor approvals needed to attend all sessions.

This program is a partnership between the NYS Success Center & SUNY Office of Community Colleges and the SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD).