Impact – Leadership Academy for Students Success

The Leadership Academy has a growing number of participating states and alumni. Participants report having improved skills and confidence, and their careers have advanced.

A Growing Number of States and Alumni

Ohio launched this innovative program in 2019. Since then, five cohorts of faculty and staff members have completed the year-long Leadership Academy, and the state has graduated nearly 200 Leadership Academy alumni.
Since 2023 three additional states — Michigan, New York, and Texas — have replicated Ohio’s program, and two cohorts have completed the Leadership Academy in each state. Between 2023 and 2025, these three states together graduated approximately 215 Leadership Academy alumni.
Leadership Academies in Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Texas are ongoing, so the number of alumni in these four states will continue to grow.
Between 2025 and 2029, five more states will implement the Leadership Academy. Arizona and Washington launched programs in fall 2025, and three additional states (to be named) will do so in 2026 and 2027. After two cohorts are completed, these states will add approximately 400 Leadership Academy alumni.

“I now tell everyone my new plan: to become a college president. This was something I never would have considered prior to the Leadership Academy.”

— Director of Pathways (Texas)

Alumni Are More Capable

Pre-training and post-training surveys show that alumni had more advanced knowledge and skills after participating in the Leadership Academy.

Source: December 2025 project evaluation using pre- and post-survey data from Leadership Academy participants in four states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Texas). The 172 respondents assessed their knowledge and skills using a four-point scale: discovery, developing, confident, or advanced.

Participants Are More Prepared for Senior-Level Positions

Participants’ Careers Have Advanced

Source: 2025 alumni survey; 109 respondents from four states (Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Texas).

“The experience that resonated most with me during the Leadership Academy was hearing from my peers about how they all suffered some form of impostor syndrome. Being in a room of highly decorated professionals, all going through a similar shared experience, helped me better appreciate that I belong in my chosen field, and I shouldn’t be hesitant in going after my goals.”

— Associate Vice President of Student Services (Texas)