New Presidents Intensive
Join a cohort of recently appointed college and university presidents for a research-driven, highly interactive program designed to support your leadership transition.
Program Overview
Virtual Welcome (June 17, 2025)
Meet your cohort, share your leadership priorities, and preview the weeks ahead.
In-Person Kickoff (Washington, D.C. | June 23-24, 2025)
Deep-dive sessions with tenured and former presidents, workshops on institutional strategy, fundraising, student value proposition, AI’s impact, and more.
Virtual Sessions (Tuesdays in July, 2025 | 1-3 p.m. ET)
Weekly two-hour sessions led by sector experts and peer presidents, with time for reflection, discussion, and strategic planning.
Can’t make the in-person kickoff? Please join us for the virtual July sessions.
Application Deadline
May 30, 2025
Cost
Free to participate
What Sets Us Apart
A Program Built for the First-Year Presidency
New presidents step into a role that is high-stakes, high-visibility, and increasingly complex. EAB’s New Presidents Intensive (NPI) is a curated program that equips leaders with:
- Actionable frameworks to tackle presidential priorities
- Peer-tested strategies from current and former presidents
- Data and insights drawn from EAB’s research and 2,500+ partner institutions
- A confidential community for shared learning and leadership reflection
Since its launch in 2020, more than 200 presidents have participated in NPI, building lasting networks and sharpening their leadership approach.
Alumni Testimonials
“‘The State of the Sector’ [presentation] was very helpful because it encapsulated things I already knew about trends but also the latest research from EAB.” Â -Dr. Christina Clark, President, La Roche University
“Being a president is a lonely job, and I think that partnering with EAB, especially through the New Presidents sessions, really helps you connect with people, both at EAB and at other universities, that will help you survive that first year.” Â -Dr. Mike Davis, President, Fairmont State University
“The opportunity to meet other new presidents—spending time listening to their concerns, sharing information amongst each other, creating that network of support—was really invaluable.”  -Francine Conway, Chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Featured Topics
- Dynamic Strategy: Embedding Rigor, Agility, and Accountability into Institutional Planning
- Shared Governance 2.0: Modern Models for Alignment and Trust
- The President as Fundraiser-in-Chief: Best Practices in Advancement
- Differentiating the Student Value Proposition: Making Your Mission Visible and Marketable
- Financial Sustainability: Hardwiring Academic and Administrative Efficiency
- Rethinking Student Success: Mental Health, Retention, and Support Systems
- Navigating Flashpoints: Free Speech, DEI, and Institutional Identity
- AI and the Future of Higher Ed: Presidential Responsibilities in an Age of Disruption
- College Athletics: What Every President Needs to Know
Featured Guest Speakers
Dr. Jonathan Alger, President, American University (President-Emeritus, James Madison University)
Dr. Gordon Gee, President-Emeritus, West Virginia University (Ohio State University, Vanderbilt University, Brown University, University of Colorado)
Dr. Richard Helldobler, William Paterson University (Former Interim President, Northeastern Illinois University)
Dr. Chris Howard, COO and EVP, Arizona State University (President-Emeritus, Robert Morris University, Hampden-Sydney University)
Dr. Andrew Hsu, President, College of Charleston
Dr. Rachelle Keck, President, Grand View University (President-Emerita, Briar Cliff University)
Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, University of Lynchburg
Dr. Kevin Ross, President, Lynn University
Cathy Sandeen, President, California State University, East Bay
Dr. Meredith Woo, Professor, Arizona State University
(President-Emerita, Sweet Briar College)
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for:
- Recently appointed presidents (in seat 0–2 years)
- Interim presidents
Cost and Commitment
There is no fee to participate in the New Presidents Intensive. However, we ask participants to attend at least four of the seven sessions to preserve the integrity of the cohort experience.
Ready to sign up?
To express your interest in participating in the New Presidents Intensive, fill out the form with your information and a member of our team will follow up.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the New Presidents Intensive please contact [email protected].