A Program Built for the First-Year Presidency

New presidents step into the role at a moment of heightened complexity and scrutiny. Enrollment pressures, financial strain, public confidence in higher education, and rapid shifts driven by AI and policy have made the early presidency especially consequential.

EAB’s New Presidents Intensive (NPI) is designed to support leaders navigating this reality. Grounded in EAB’s research and informed by work with more than 2,500 partner institutions, NPI offers:

• Research-informed frameworks focused on the most consequential early presidential decisions
• Candid insights from sitting and former presidents on what they learned—and what they would do differently
• Practical, data-backed perspectives on what is working across higher education today
• A confidential peer community of new presidents navigating similar challenges

Since its launch in 2020, more than 250 presidents have participated in NPI, building trusted networks and sharpening their leadership approach during one of the most pivotal moments of their careers.

“‘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.”  -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.”  -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

New Presidents Intensive Alumni

• 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

View the 2025 Agenda

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, President, 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, President, University of Lynchburg

Dr. Brian Noland, President, East Tennessee State University

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)

This program is designed for:

• Recently appointed presidents (in seat 0–2 years)
• Interim presidents

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.