Becoming A Provost Academy
This yearlong program provides comprehensive preparation in the areas of most critical concern to provosts.
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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.
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.
- Discussions of the evolving leadership competencies needed to lead in today’s complex and turbulent times
- 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 2026-27 Becoming A Provost Academy will take place from June 2026 to July 2027.
- Nomination deadline: February 9, 2026
- Opening Seminar (June 17-18, 2026, Washington, DC)
- Regularly scheduled virtual workshops (August 2026 – June 2027)
- Closing Seminar (July 12-13, 2027, Atlanta, GA)
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 who will serve as the participant’s mentor, and submitted by February 9, 2026 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 2026-2027 academic year is $4,675 per applicant.
- The registration fee covers program administration, meals during the in-person seminars, all materials, and registration to attend the AASCU 2027 Academic Affairs Summer Meeting after the closing seminar.
- Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation to/in both seminar locations.
- 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.
cancellation fees
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Cancellations received before May 1 are eligible for a refund, minus a 25% administrative fee.
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Cancellation requests received on or after May 1 are NOT eligible for a refund.
Testimonials
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.
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.
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!
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.
2026–2027 Cohort
Kym
Acuña
Dean of School of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Wayne State College (NE)
Mahalley D.
Allen
Vice Provost
California State University-Chico
Michael
Bradley
Dean, College of Research and Graduate Studies
Arkansas Tech University
Kevin
Bucholtz
Associate Provost of Student Engagement and Academic Excellence
Georgia College & State University
LaGary
Carter
Dean & Professor – College of Health Sciences
Troy University (AL)
Nick P.
Danz
Dean of Academic Affairs & Graduate Studies
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Wartyna
Davis
Dean of the of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Kimberley
Davis-Hunt
Dean, School of Education
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Carolynn
DeSandre
Dean, College of Health & Wellness
University of North Georgia
Chrys
Egan
Interim Director, Center for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence; Associate Dean, Liberal Arts
Salisbury University (MD)
Kristen
Eichhorn
Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies
State University of New York at Oswego
Sherif
Elfayoumy
Dean and Professor
Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN)
Jakari
Griffith
Interim Assistant Provost of Global Engagement & Senior International Officer
Bridgewater State University (MA)
Judith
Horowitz
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
SUNY at Fredonia
Stephanie P.
Huffman
Associate VP for Strategic Initiatives
University of Northern Iowa
Marie
Johnson
Dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
California State University-Fullerton
David
Kinner
Dean
Western Carolina University (NC)
Roy
Kwon
Vice Provost
Weber State University (UT)
Mark
Laughlin
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Georgia Southwestern State University
Thomas
Lilly
Assistant Provost for Academic Assessment and Accreditation
Georgia Gwinnett College
Jannette
McMenamy
Acting Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of Health and Natural Sciences
Fitchburg State University (MA)
Amanda
Metcalf
Special Assistant to the Provost for Strategic Innovation
Fairmont State University (WV)
Jeanine M.
Mingé
Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Business
SUNY Oneonta
Valerie
Morphew
Assistant Provost for Teaching and Learning Innovation/Title III Project Directo
Fairmont State University (WV)
Elizabeth
O’Brien
Vice Provost
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Ryan
Patten
Interim Dean
California State University-Chico
Judith
Quander
Associate Vice-President for Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development
University of Houston-Downtown (TX)
Rodrigo F.
Renteria-Valencia
Dean, Graduate Education, Research and Strategic Initiatives
Central Washington University
Saint Issac
Rice, Jr.
Associate Provost
Lincoln University (MO)
Tyler
Tapps
Associate Provost: Operations and Assessment
Northwest Missouri State University
GeneL.
Theodori
Associate Provost for Academic & Research Administration
Lamar University (TX)
Desha
Williams
Dean
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Nakeshia N.
Williams
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success
North Carolina A & T State University
Kim K.
Winter
Dean, College of Education & Allied Professions
Western Carolina University (NC)
Antwon D.
Woods
Dean, School of Business
Alcorn State University (MS)
Stuart C.
Wooley
Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer
California State University-Stanislaus
Tammy Jordan
Wyatt
Senior Vice Provost
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Our Partner
2026-2027 BAPA applications are closed.
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 next program will take place starting July 2026–July 2027
- The deadline for applications and endorsements is February 9, 2026
Have questions about BAPA? Let us know.
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