Applicants to the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) are expected to serve in senior leadership positions in community colleges and to be qualified for a presidency by their educational and experiential backgrounds.

The typical applicant will hold an advanced degree and will have three or more years of experience as a senior-level administrator in a community college, usually reporting to the CEO at the campus or district level. ELI is designed primarily for those who have not yet served in a presidency. However, new community college CEOs and those contemplating a transition will also find ELI extremely valuable. Participants are selected from qualified applicants by a national review committee of established presidents.

ELI is an intensive experience, with session formats varying by topic and purpose. Participants should expect to fully immerse themselves in the December in-person and January virtual programming. In order to gain the largest advantage from ELI, it is recommended that participants not attempt to fulfill their job responsibilities on institute days. Family members are not encouraged to attend.

Participant Quotes

“The information [shared] during ELI is priceless. I mean, it was such a moment of professional pause to reflect and really to think about who I am, what it is that I can contribute, and to be able to learn from the unique experiences that other presidents have had."

— Tiffany Kirksey, Dallas College, ELI Class of 2024

“This is the best professional development that I’ve had in 23 years. The amount of individual attention that you gave to us, the true interest you’ve shown in each of us is greatly appreciated. I felt like I got the real inside track on some things. I also recognized people or traits or that I want to emulate going forward.”

— Amy Gray, Joliet College, ELI Class of 2024

“The faculty were phenomenal. I have never had professional development like this, including graduate school. Now I am thinking more like a president; it has shifted my thinking and given me insight into sitting in the president’s chair.”

— Patrick Ryan, Schenectady Community College, ELI Class of 2023

"Thank you for contributing to my learning. It's truly been rich and transformative for me. I've evolved from the little engine thinking he can to the engine knowing he can. I move forward with this experience knowing the why and centering the why in my preparation to offer myself to serve."

— Rushton W. Johnson, Pellissippi State Community College, Class of 2022