Leading in Higher Ed is Hard. You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.

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Dear Reader,

Higher-ed leaders are being pulled in every direction right now. Whether you're grappling with new federal and state policies, AI’s impact on teaching, shrinking budgets, shifting student demographics, new external pressures, or all of the above — you're not imagining it: This is one of the toughest moments to lead.

And yet most colleges and universities don’t offer much when it comes to real leadership development for the people making the hard decisions. That’s where we come in.

At The Chronicle, we’ve created a growing slate of leadership-development programs designed specifically for higher-ed professionals — programs that combine national perspective with practical tools and insights from experienced leaders who’ve been in your shoes.

This summer and fall, we’re offering a range of virtual programs tailored to the complex roles you play:

Library & Institutional Success Program (July)

We’ve teamed up with Ithaka S+R for this two-week virtual program designed for library leaders. Through hands-on workshops and seminars on national issues, participants will strengthen their leadership skills, tackle pressing campus challenges, and develop plans to advance library initiatives.

Leadership Transformation Collaborative (August)

In partnership with Strategic Imagination, this semester-long program creates a new kind of virtual community that will help you instill new leadership practices through brief lessons and exercises designed to be integrated into your busy schedule and applied to your current challenges.

In partnership with Strategic Imagination, this semester-long program creates a new kind of virtual community that will help you instill new leadership practices through brief lessons and exercises designed to be integrated into your busy schedule and applied to your current challenges.

Academic Leadership Crash Course (August)

This four-hour virtual workshop, in partnership with Dever Justice LLC, will provide key insights for new and aspiring academic administrators on the inner workings of administrative positions, from application all the way through transition.

Women Leading Change (September)

In collaboration with Strategic Imagination, this virtual-leadership series will provide critical context, creative strategies, and guided exercises that target the professional-development areas most important to women navigating uncertainty in today's turbulent higher-ed landscape.

In collaboration with Strategic Imagination, this virtual-leadership series will provide critical context, creative strategies, and guided exercises that target the professional-development areas most important to women navigating uncertainty in today's turbulent higher-ed landscape.

Administrative Leadership Institute (October)

This two-day workshop series will provide administrative leaders with the skills to effectively enhance institutional success and navigate shared governance by learning how to make tough decisions, lead with resilience, and build high-performing teams.

Higher Ed Mental-Health Forum (May)

In partnership with Mindcraft University, this half-day program is designed to address the growing challenges that students, faculty, and staff face on college campuses. Combining research-backed principles and practical strategies, campus leaders will gain valuable insights to better support student well-being and foster productive mindsets.

In partnership with Mindcraft University, this half-day program is designed to address the growing challenges that students, faculty, and staff face on college campuses. Combining research-backed principles and practical strategies, campus leaders will gain valuable insights to better support student well-being and foster productive mindsets.

New: Strategic-Leadership Program for Deans (September)

Thousands of faculty members have gone through our highly successful Department Chair series, and many of them told us the same thing: “We wish there was something like this for deans.” Now there is. This virtual program zeroes in on the unique role of the dean — at the crossroads of big-picture strategy, funding decisions, and day-to-day leadership. It’s practical, forward-looking, and designed for immediate impact.

We’re continually encouraged by the leaders who show up to these sessions — across campuses, roles, and continents. They walk away with next steps, sharper insights, and perhaps most importantly, the reminder that they’re not in this alone.

Sincerely,

Liz McMillen

Contributing Editor