Becoming A Provost Academy

This yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts.

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The BAPA cohort gathers at the 2023 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting.
The BAPA cohort gathers at the 2023 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting.

Prepare to lead as provost. 

The Becoming a Provost Academy (BAPA) is a leadership program tailored to the distinctive needs of aspiring provosts (chief academic officers). Co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), this yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts. BAPA also helps participants gain a better understanding of the broader context within which their own institutions operate and develop perspectives beyond their current position, division, and institution.  

Andrew Lawson poses a question to the group.

Who Should Participate

  • Experienced deans, assistant or associate provosts, and other academic affairs senior administrators who aspire to become a provost/chief academic officer 

How You’ll Benefit

  • Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts 
  • Professional Experience Plan (PEP), which assesses the strengths as well as the opportunities in the preparation of individual participants 
  • A strong and supportive network of peers and mentors. 
What to Expect

BAPA is a leadership development program to prepare experienced academic administrators for provost/vice president for academic affairs positions in public higher education.

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion discussions integrated throughout 
  • Mentoring and Executive Coaching 
  • Opportunity for real-time application and impact of tools and trainings via a Professional Experience Plan 
  • Strong relational component—commitment to create and support trust, encourage peer-to-peer learning, confidentiality, and safety among the cohort 
  • Comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts 
  • Participants will prepare a Professional Experience Plan (PEP) working with campus mentor.  

The 2024 BAPA will take place from July 2024 to July 2025. 

  • Nomination deadline: February 5, 2024 
  • Academic Affairs Summer Meeting (July 16-19, 2024, Denver, CO) 
  • Opening Seminar (July 19-20, 2024, Denver, CO) 
  • Virtual workshops (monthly, August 2024 – June 2025) 
  • Closing Seminar (July 2025) 

Programming will be delivered in a blended format, with in-person and virtual programming.
In-person programming will not be livestreamed or otherwise recorded.
One-hundred percent attendance and participation is expected.  

  • Applications that are complete, including an endorsement from a president/chancellor or provost, and submitted by February 5, 2024 will be considered.
  • AASCU and AALI staff review applications and select a cohort that reflects the diversity of AASCU institutions.
  • Admissions preference will be given to applicants currently employed at AASCU member institutions.
  • If space allows, consideration will be given to participants from institutions serving in other higher education sectors. 
  • Endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from your home institution 
  • Nominee’s curriculum vitae 
  • Clear and concise summary of your personal and professional development goals 
  • Commitment to 100% participation 

Seminars are led by a teaching faculty of AASCU provosts, AASCU presidents and chancellors, and other national subject matter experts.

The program fee for the 2024–2025 academic year is $4,050 per applicant. 

The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person intensive, and all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2024 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting. 

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Denver, CO. 

Limited scholarships are available to accepted applicants from qualifying institutions. Preference will be given to nominees from under-resourced institutions that otherwise would be unable to support a participant.  

AASCU Members
Testimonials

BAPA was a truly unique leadership program. It provided intensive training, development, and mentoring targeted toward preparing candidates to be an effective and successful provost at a state college or university. In addition, the network of BAPA alums is extensive and supportive. I highly recommend this outstanding leadership program.

Lynnette Zelezny

President
California State University, Bakersfield

BAPA is an exciting opportunity to explore university administration from a different angle. The speakers all generously gave their time, expertise, and insight! It was a great year that went too fast!

Brenda Nichols

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Lamar University (TX)

The BAPA program was an exhilarating opportunity for me to learn from seasoned provosts and develop new networks from colleagues within my class and among the alumni and facilitators. I found the one-year formal experiential plan, mentoring conference calls, and follow-up meetings during the AASCU conferences to be of tremendous value for me during my executive development journey in higher education.

Anita Borja Enriquez

Senior Vice President and Provost, Academic and Student Affairs
University of Guam

The BAPA program provides a blend of structured programming and customized experiences to ensure that participants have an excellent experience. The opportunities provided to me to visit peer institutions and learn from colleagues were invaluable to me. The generosity of facilitators and invited speakers in candidly sharing lessons learned was a much-appreciated gift for all of us who were part of the program.

Patricia L. Donat

Senior Vice President
Southern Association of College Schools Commission on Colleges

Hear from BAPA Alumnus Darrell Newton.

Hear from BAPA Alumnus Christie Shelton.

2023-2024 Cohort

Tabetha

Adkins

Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean, University College

West Chester University (PA)

Jennifer L.

Airey

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Academic Initiatives and Dean of the Graduate School

University of Tulsa (OK)

Harry Akoh

Harry

Akoh

Dean, School of Arts & Sciences

Atlanta Metropolitan State College (GA)

Magdalena Barrera

Magdalena L.

Barrera

Vice Provost for Faculty Success

San José State University (CA)

Patrice Boyles

Patrice

Boyles

Dean, Continuing Education and Nontraditional Programs

Chicago State University (IL)

Moira

Casey

Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Miami University Regionals (OH)

David

Chevalier

Associate Vice-President for Academics

East Georgia State College

Carol DeNysschen

Carol A.

DeNysschen

Chair and Professor, Department of Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics

State University of New York at Buffalo

Jane

Dong

Dean, School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering

California State University, Bakersfield

Matthew

Fete

Dean, College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy

Chicago State University (IL)

Kevin

Gustafson

Dean of the Honors College

Northern Arizona University

Ann Hawkins

Ann R.

Hawkins

Assistant Provost for Graduate Education and Research

SUNY System Administration

Cinnamon Hillyard

Cinnamon

Hillyard

Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Success

University of Washington Bothell

Bethany D.

Hinga

Assistant to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

University of Nebraska Kearney

Debra Jackson

Debra

Jackson

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Academic Programs

California State University, Bakersfield

Feng-Ling M.

Johnson

Dean of University College & Associate Vice President for Student Success

St. Cloud State University (MN)

Ok-Hee

Lee

Dean of the College of Education and Human Services

Minnesota State University Moorhead

James

Margetts

Dean of Essential Studies and the School of Liberal Arts

Chadron State College (NE)

Keva

Miller

Dean

University of Washington Tacoma

Khadijah Miller

Khadijah O.

Miller

Dean

Norfolk State University (VA)

Mark

Mossman

Associate Provost and Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs

Western Illinois University

Brandi Newkirk-Turner

Brandi L.

Newkirk-Turner

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Jackson State University (MS)

Ursula

Payne

Interim Associate Provost

Slippery Rock University (PA)

Holley

Roberts

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of The Graduate School

Georgia College & State University

Sharleen

Santos-Bamba

Interim Senior Vice President and Provost

University of Guam

Aimee D.

Shouse

Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Curriculum and Faculty Affairs

Tarleton State University (TX)

Leesa

Thomas Banks

Department Chair

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Binod

Tiwari

Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Projects

California State University Fullerton

Vanessa K.

Valdés

Associate Provost for Community Engagement

The City College of New York

Kevin Van Winkle

Kevin

Van Winkle

Associate Dean of Adult Learning

Colorado State University Pueblo

Carmen N.

Veloria

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Central Connecticut State University

Amitra A

Wall

Associate Provost

State University of New York, Buffalo State

Darius

Watson

Executive Director of Academic Initiatives

Lincoln University of Missouri

Patricia

Williams Dockery

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

Morgan State University (MD)

Our Partner

Applications for our 2024-2025 BAPA cohort are closed.

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Application Details

A full submission requires the candidate to submit an application form and an endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from their home institution. 

Application Requirements

  • Experienced deans, assistant or associate provosts, and other academic affairs senior administrators who aspire to become a provost/chief academic officer  
  • Endorsement from the president/chancellor or provost from your home institution 

Important Dates

  • The 2024 program will take place starting July 2024–July 2025
  • The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 11, 2024 

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