Leadership Academy/La Academia
Navigate this section
HACU’s one-year Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo program prepares the next generation of culturally diverse higher education leaders for executive and senior level positions.
Main Topic Areas
Topics covered during the yearlong program are critical issues faced by today’s college and university leaders, including fundraising and resource development, government and external affairs, international relations, and advocacy in the university environment. Also covered in the Academy are leadership fundamentals, developing an institutional vision, transitioning from one leadership role to another, and the leadership search process.
Program Structure
Fellows participate in development activities preparing them for leadership roles in higher education, especially within Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs, with a holistic approach towards the search process, leadership fundamentals, current critical issues, and international relations.
HACU’s innovative academy sets itself apart from other leadership programs with:
Three face-to-face, week-long seminars integrated with HACU’s Annual Conference, National Capitol Forum, and International Conference or experience outside the U.S., and a Proyecto Transformativo to generate initiatives for Fellow’s home institutions.
The curriculum emphasizes Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs, but provides a holistic approach, including the search process, leadership fundamentals, current critical issues, and international relations.
Hybrid content delivery with both in-person sessions and synchronous/asynchronous webinars allows a high degree of flexibility for busy work schedules.
More than a dozen nationally recognized current and emeriti presidents and senior-level administrators as faculty with 100 plus years of combined experience.
Mentorship with a university president or other senior administrator in a special project development designed for the Fellow’s current institution.
Requirements
Minimum Participant Section Requirements are:
- At least 10 years of full-time higher education experience.
- Completion of at least a master’s degree.
- Currently serving in a director or higher supervisory position or six years of previous supervisor experience.
We invite you to become a member of La Academia’s next class and take this opportunity to benefit from (and contribute to) an expanded pool of qualified and diverse presidential prospects.
Apply
Applications and Nominations Open
Application Deadline: April 17, 2026
For more information, download the program brochure.
Program Costs
Program cost per participant from a HACU-member institution is $10,000 and covers all program materials, HACU conference registrations and selected meals. Participants will be responsible for any additional costs associated with lodging and travel to and from the program activities, meals not covered by program and incidentals. Applications/nominations from non-HACU-member institutions are also welcome and their program cost is $15,000.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available. When submitting application materials, please indicate in the form checkbox your interest for scholarship consideration.
Graduation
Graduation Certificate received upon completion of the program.
Get in Touch
Contact Information
Please include your name, institution and campus as part of your communication.
For questions or more information about HACU Professional Leadership Programs, please contact:
- Paul Machen, Ph.D.
- Senior Executive Director of Professional Leadership and Student Programs
- leadership@hacu.net
- 210-576-3229
