Gus McGiver, the College’s Chief of Staff, is among 36 seasoned higher education leaders selected for the prestigious Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), which kicks off today in the nation’s capital. The yearlong program prepares experienced administrators for their next senior leadership role in higher education.
McGiver joins a highly selective cohort who rose to the top among a competitive pool of applicants to participate. The first of two in-person seminars runs June 16 to 17 in Washington, DC, and will be led by current and former college presidents along with experts in critical areas pertinent to higher education.
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI) collaborate to offer ELA participants unparalleled learning, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Each organization selected 18 leaders from member institutions to ensure representation from both independent and state-supported colleges and universities, like SUNY Cobleskill.
“At a time when working in higher education feels particularly challenging, the participants of the ELA program show how committed they are to the sector and their institutions,” said CIC President Marjorie Hass. “CIC is fortunate to partner with AALI and AASCU to provide this opportunity to leaders at our member institutions and prepare them for the challenges ahead.”
Some key features of the ELA program consist of a tailored professional experience plan aimed at addressing the specific skill and experience gaps of each participant; mentorship provided by the participant’s current president alongside the ELA program director; guidance on the executive search process; and access to peer-led webinars, regional meetings, and cohort-wide activities. The ELA cohort will convene in June 2026 for a closing seminar in Washington, DC.
“In today’s higher education environment, it’s critical that future leaders are prepared, ready, and well-equipped to serve our growing student population and tackle the challenges that come with leading a college or university,” said AASCU President and CEO Charles L. Welch. “Together with CIC, and our partners at AALI, AASCU continues its commitment of providing senior executives with the wide-ranging skills and training they need to succeed.”
Individuals currently holding cabinet-level roles in any division of their institution are invited to apply to the ELA program. Nominations for the ELA for the 2026-27 academic year will commence in the fall, with selections to be revealed in March 2026.
View more information on the CIC program page or the AASCU program page.
