Leadership Initiative

Higher education leaders helping to manage and transform institutional culture in politically divisive times.

To support leaders navigating an increasingly politicized role, the Alliance has launched a new initiative that connects our coalition of current and former institutional leaders with sitting presidents of U.S. higher education institutions for candid and confidential guidance. This resource, built on participants' decades of experience managing boards, campus advocacy, operational changes, and relationships with elected officials, is designed to create an insightful sounding board, community, and third-party counsel to advance and foster cultural leadership and institutional missions and goals during challenging times.

Initiative Elements

  • Coaching and Counsel: Current and former presidents within the Alliance's coalition, in groups or individually, provide confidential guidance and insight to sitting college presidents who are seeking to solve a problem, launch a new program, and navigate the current higher education policy landscape.
  • Train-the-Trainer Model: Hosting virtual and closed-session training to develop a "bench" of experienced leaders who can help other leaders over time.
  • Leadership Academy: An in-person convening and training to be facilitated by Alliance staff and former presidents.
  • Communications and Voice Elevation: Engaging members in efforts to elevate their voices as part of the Alliance’s speakers’ bureau, the Knowledge for Democracy Collective.