Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Program

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program, (ALP) provides intensive leadership and managerial development, addressing the challenges of academic administration at major research universities, like tightening budgets, changing student populations, and increasing pressures from external sources. Many of the program’s nearly 1,000 fellows have gone on to serve as college presidents, provosts, and deans.

During the academic year, MSU ALP Fellows visit two or three Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. In addition, they meet with campus and community leaders of their choosing, to complement their knowledge of policy and institutional organization with local insights and contacts.

Program Expectations

Fellows are expected to attend approximately 12 on-campus ALP sessions with MSU speakers; 3 three-day off-campus seminars; and 2 dinner events. MSU meetings will be scheduled after the Fellows meet to select speakers at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year.

• 2025-2026 ALP Off-campus Seminars
  • Welcome Session: September 19, 2025 (Zoom)
  • Seminar I: October 9-11, 2025 (Indiana University)
  • Seminar II: February 12-14, 2026 (University of Illinois)
  • Seminar III: April 16-18, 2026 (University of Iowa)

Application Process

The Office of the Provost will provide funding for five individuals to participate in the Academic Leadership Program. MSU has two methods of selection to create a cross-institutional cohort of Fellows.

Tenure System, NSCL/FRIB, Health Programs Faculty, and Librarians

Four applicants will be selected through an application and interview process. Applicants should:

• be appointed in the tenure system, NSCL/FRIB, Library, or Health Programs faculty appointment systems
• have a strong faculty background and commitment to administration
• have a minimum of five years of professional experience in a university setting

Other MSU Faculty and Staff

The Provost will select one to two additional member(s) of the cohort in consultation with senior MSU leaders, from among the rest of the MSU faculty, academic staff, and support staff.

If your MSU appointment is not as a faculty member in the tenure system, NSCL, Library, or Health Programs system, and you wish to pursue the ALP, please contact your dean, vice president, or other senior administrator who can indicate their support for your participation. Please have them send a letter addressing why you would be a good candidate for the program (no longer than one page) to Cindi Leverich at youngcin@msu.edu once the process opens in late fall.  Applicants in this category do not need to fill out the application.

Questions

Questions may be directed to Cindi Leverich (youngcin@msu.edu).