EDUCAUSE Executive Leaders Academy 2026–2027
September 3, 2026–April 30, 2027
Hybrid: In Person and Online
*NOTE: Attendance at the 2026 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is included and required. The Academy starts on September 28, 2026 at 12:00 noon MT. Please plan your travel accordingly.
Now in its fifth year, the EDUCAUSE Executive Leaders Academy is a cohort-based leadership experience for senior higher education leaders navigating complexity, change, and increasing expectations. The Academy is designed for executive leaders—and those preparing for executive roles—who want space in which to reflect, strengthen self-awareness, and build the skills needed to lead with clarity and impact in a rapidly evolving landscape.
This seven-month hybrid experience includes an in-person component at the 2026 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference (included in the registration fee) and continues online with faculty, experts, and thought leaders across key leadership areas. Throughout the Academy, participants engage deeply with a cohort of peers, applying learning directly to their institutional contexts.
If you’re navigating complexity, leading change, carrying increased responsibility, and want time to think, learn, and connect with peers, the Executive Leaders Academy may be the right next step for you.
Register NowExecutive Leadership in the Age of AI
AI technologies will continue to exert a significant and multifaceted impact on nearly every area of higher education. Leaders will be required to leverage several skill areas, many of which will be covered in the Academy. Participants will be exposed to experts and research in AI and other ancillary topics like change management and data analytics.
Academy Details
Program Dates
September 3, 2026–April 30, 2027
Time Commitment
Designed to be rigorous but manageable alongside executive responsibilities. 3–5 hours per week on average.
Who Should Attend?
Senior leaders navigating institution-wide complexity, influencing strategy, and/or preparing for expanded and executive roles.
Program Delivery
In Person and Online
*NOTE: Attendance at the 2025 EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is included and required.
Credential
Successful completers receive the Executive Leaders Academy digital microcredential.
Trusted Cohort of Peers
Through peer-driven, practice-focused learning, you’ll build lasting professional relationships and a trusted network of peers.
Learners are expected to dedicate approximately three to five hours per week (synchronous and asynchronous) for an engaged and successful learning experience.
Have questions?
Join us for a 30-minute information session to learn more about the Academy and ask questions.
The EDUCAUSE Executive Leaders Academy Will Help You:
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Clarify How and Why You Lead
Explore your leadership values, presence, and decision-making style—and how coaching strengthens effectiveness at the executive level.-
Learn to Lead Change That Sticks
Work through practical approaches to leading institutional change, shaping culture, and navigating complexity around AI, data, and evolving expectations. -
Take Ownership of Your Influence
Strengthen collaboration, negotiation, and influence across roles, silos, and strategic priorities. -
Use Data to Empower Meaningful Decisions
Learn how executive leaders use data to ask better questions, weigh trade-offs, and guide institutions forward.
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Strengthen Your Executive Acumen
Build confidence engaging in enterprise-level conversations about strategy, finances, human resourcefulness, and institutional risk. -
Design for What’s Next
Re-examine and reimagine organizational structures to better align people, resources, and strategy. -
Sustain Your Leadership Growth
Step back to reflect, integrate learning, and plan for continued leadership development beyond the Academy. Leave the Academy better, but not finished.
What Members Are Saying About the
EDUCAUSE Executive Leaders Academy
“The program supported my transition from tactical to strategic thinking in how I approach problems, communicate, and present myself as a leader. It also gave me confidence through a supportive cohort of peers who were open, reflective, and generous in sharing their experiences and insights.”
— Past Executive Leaders Academy Participant
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EDUCAUSE Professional Pathways
Chart your way forward and advance in your career.
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Key Dates
Registration Open
Registration for the Academy will open in March 2026.
Institute Begins
The Executive Leaders Academy begins on September 3, 2026.
Institute Ends
The Executive Leaders Academy concludes on April 30, 2027.
Thank You
The following organization has shown their significant support for higher education and the upcoming EDUCAUSE Executive Leaders Academy.
