The New American Colleges & Universities (NACU) Leadership Development Institute equips rising higher education leaders with the tools, language, and experiences needed to navigate today’s challenges while preparing for future opportunities.
This six-part online program blends practical leadership models, financial and strategic insight, and real-world conversations with leaders at NACU institutions. Through interactive sessions, participants will deepen self-awareness, sharpen their leadership skills, and strengthen their ability to collaborate across campus.
The program content is applicable and relevant for attendees from different functional areas (e.g. academics, student affairs, finance, enrollment, advancement).
All modules are virtual. Modules cannot be unbundled.
Session 1 – Your Leadership Style: Developing Your Strengths (January 30, 2026)
Leadership in higher education is built on people and relationships, not just decision-making authority. This session helps participants explore their personal leadership styles with the goal of enhancing collaboration and influence across diverse groups. A certified REACH coach will guide discussion using the REACH quadrants and competencies, offering common language and insights that will anchor future sessions.
Session 2 – Money & Mission: Understanding Strategic Finance & Student Learning (February 13, 2026)
Drawing on Credo’s Thriving Institutions research, this session examines the critical relationship between institutional finance and student learning. Participants will learn key financial concepts such as discount rate, endowment management, retention, persistence, and budgeting vs. cash flow. In parallel, the session explores demographic shifts, generational perspectives, and student success models, equipping leaders with a holistic understanding of how money and mission intersect. This includes a special focus on the role of strategic partnerships across higher education institutions.
Session 3 – Leading Through Change in Higher Ed: Exploring Vision, Strategy, & The Role of Trust (February 27, 2026)
Higher education leaders operate in an environment of constant change. This session introduces models for navigating complex change and building organizational trust. Participants will reflect on their current context, identify how their leadership strengths contribute to strategic initiatives, and consider the vital role of senior leaders in shaping institutional culture. Additionally, this session includes insights on mergers and acquisitions, an emerging trend which has significant strategic and cultural impacts on institutions.
Session 4 – Leading Teams: Engaging Diverse Styles for Collaborative Advantage (March 13, 2026)
Transitioning from individual contributor to team leader is a pivotal and often challenging shift. This session introduces the leadership contribution continuum and invites participants to assess their current position and chart a path for growth. Two breakout tracks provide tailored support:
Experienced team leaders: tools for team evaluation, development planning, and navigating interpersonal challenges.
Aspiring or new team leaders: strategies for preparing to manage people for the first time.
Session 5 – Courageous Conversations: Navigating Conflict in Teams & Campus Hierarchies (March 27, 2026)
Conflict is inevitable in leadership. The challenge is addressing it constructively. This session provides tools and frameworks for having respectful, professional, and impactful conversations with peers, direct reports, and senior leaders. Participants will practice and observe courageous conversations in a supportive cohort environment, gaining confidence to apply these skills on their campuses.
Session 6 – Candid Conversations with NACU Leaders (April 10, 2026)
Leading in higher education today means steering through constant change, rising expectations, and public scrutiny without losing sight of mission and purpose. In this session, a panel of NACU leaders from across campus roles will discuss how leadership has shifted, what it takes to balance innovation with stability, and how they guide their teams through uncertainty. They’ll share hard-earned lessons, practical strategies for resilience, and the advice they wish they had earlier in their careers. The conversation will include plenty of time for audience Q&A.
Program Dates: All sessions begin at 12:30 pm ET and run for approximately 2.5 hours except for the final session which is 90 minutes.
Jan 30, 2026 – Your Leadership Style
Feb 13, 2026 – Money & Mission
Feb 27, 2026 – Leading Through Change
Mar 13, 2026 – Leading Teams
Mar 27, 2026 – Courageous Conversations
Apr 10, 2026 – Candid Conversations with NACU Presidents
Format
Six interactive virtual sessions held on Zoom
Who Should Attend
Cost
$850 per person
$50 discount per person for groups of 5+ from the same institution
Registration
Registration Deadline: Dec 5, 2025
Cancellation deadline: Dec 5, 2025
Transfer deadline: Dec 31, 2025
Phone: 937.430.0349
Email: office@nacu.edu
The New American Colleges & Universities