Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership Welcomes 12th Cohort
New class of leaders convenes in the nation’s capital to explore strategies for reimagining the future of higher education
The Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership (AIHEL) welcomed its 12th cohort of rising and senior leaders last week, launching the program with a dynamic, in-person module in Washington, D.C. The 2025-2026 cohort includes changemakers from across the U.S. committed to redesigning higher education institutions to better serve today’s learners and communities.
Hosted over two days in the nation’s capital, the kickoff module focused on “Leading in Complexity: Seeing the System and Sensing the Future”. Participants engaged in a series of immersive workshops, interactive peer dialogues, and thought-leadership sessions with national experts on higher education policy, equity, innovation, and future workforce needs.
Key themes included:
- Leading in Complexity and Uncertainty
- Mapping Systems, Culture, and Institutional Context
- Innovating for Impact and Equity
- Reflecting on Leadership Identity and Communication
One highlight included an Innovation Leadership Studio: "Opportunity for Collective Change in U.S. Higher Education", which gave participants space to discuss trends within U.S. higher education and identify potential opportunities for innovation.
Meet the 2025-2026 Cohort
The 12th AIHEL cohort includes leaders representing a wide range of disciplines, with roles in academic affairs, student success, finance, innovation, enrollment, and executive leadership.
About the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership (AIHEL)
Founded in 2014 by Arizona State University and Georgetown University, the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership has become the leading professional development program for higher education transformation. Over the past decade, AIHEL has graduated more than 300 leaders from across sectors and institutional types, many of whom have gone on to serve as college presidents, provosts, and national thought leaders.
The Academy’s evolution reflects the changing nature of leadership in higher education. Initially focused on fostering innovation mindsets, the program now tackles urgent sector-wide challenges: demographic shifts, financial pressures, equity gaps, workforce alignment, and digital transformation. Through experiential modules, cohort-based learning, and practical tools, AIHEL equips leaders to design bold solutions that align mission, strategy, and impact.
The 12th cohort’s journey will continue through a blend of virtual sessions, coaching opportunities, and capstone design labs throughout 2025, concluding with a final convening in Washington, D.C. in the early summer.