CUPA-HR’s newest leadership program — the Higher Ed Leadership Experience — is designed to prepare you for your next senior HR role in higher ed. Over seven months, program participants will explore and discuss topics around culture-building, decision-making, change management, process improvement, and more — all within the context of higher education.
Introducing: CUPA-HR’s Higher Ed Leadership Experience
Sponsored By
The application and details for the 2027-28 Higher Ed Leadership Experience will be posted in late spring 2027.
The Higher Ed Leadership Experience is a seven-month cohort program designed for HR professionals with leadership experience who want to explore the strategic role of HR in higher ed in order to lead more effectively at an institutional level.
From September 2026 to March 2027, participants will meet virtually — and once in person — to learn from higher ed HR leaders and peers about topics including culture-building, decision-making, change management, process improvement, and more. Each participant will complete an assessment of core leadership capabilities and will use the results to explore leadership topics in the context of higher education.
Program sessions will be highly interactive. Participants will learn, reflect and practice with one another, using real campus examples and leadership tools they can take back to their institutions and apply immediately.
By the end of the program, participants will be prepared to:
Articulate HR’s value and role at an institutional level
Drive and adapt to institutional change
Apply and model ethical leadership practices
Explore and model a healthy HR and workplace culture
Use data and technical knowledge to inform evidence-based decision-making and process improvement
Who Should Attend?
The Higher Ed Leadership Experience is ideally suited to higher ed HR professionals who want to fine-tune their leadership effectiveness in a broader higher ed context and who:
Hold a comprehensive baseline knowledge of HR functions
Have had formal or informal leadership responsibilities, including leading a team or work group
Have had training in and experience with foundational leadership skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, change management, relationship-building and problem-solving
The Higher Ed Leadership Experience is intended to prepare you for your next senior HR role in higher ed, whether you aspire to be a chief HR officer or director of an HR functional area, or to assume another formal or informal HR leadership role.
Please note: Only employees of higher ed institutions that are members of CUPA-HR are eligible to register for the Higher Ed Leadership Experience.
Already a CHRO? Check out the CUPA-HR programs that are tailored to your role, including CHRO Conversations about a wide range of topics and the Navigators program for new CHROs.
Program Topics and Schedule
Program Introduction
September 14 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom This introductory session will lay the groundwork for participants to be successful in the program through clarification of program expectations and commitments, the opportunity to meet the others in their cohort, details about the leadership assessments, and preparation for the in-person session in Philadelphia.
Leadership Immersion (Philadelphia)
October 3 | 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. ET | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown October 4 | 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ET | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
Program participants are required to attend this event. Please see the Cost section for details.
This in-person, immersive experience will build cohort relationships while grounding participants in higher education business models, adaptive leadership principles, and systems thinking as the core lenses for the program. Participants will explore, practice and reflect on core concepts through interactive, applied activities designed to deepen understanding in the topics discussed. Participants will engage in cohort-building experiences, including an on-site dinner, to build a foundation for peer learning throughout the program.
Assessment: Participants will engage in a facilitated debrief of their leadership assessment results with guided interpretation, reflection and small-group conversations to translate insights into action. Participants will leave with targeted developmental priorities to work on during the program.
Culture-Building and Maintenance
October 19 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom November 2 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
Participants explore the leader’s role in shaping and sustaining organizational culture, with an emphasis on belonging, well-being, communication, and relationships.
Decision-Making
November 16 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom December 14 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
This session strengthens participants’ ability to make and communicate effective, ethical, and data-informed decisions while influencing outcomes with or without formal authority.
The Power of Leading With Data and Information
January 11, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom Participants learn how to apply HR and institutional data strategically, using metrics and storytelling to inform decisions, drive change, demonstrate value, and influence senior leadership.
Process Improvement
January 25, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
This session focuses on improving HR services and experiences through process mapping, continuous improvement, and a service-oriented leadership mindset.
Managing Change
February 8, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom February 22, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
Participants examine how to lead through ongoing change by assessing readiness, addressing resistance, supporting resilience, and aligning communication and leadership approaches.
Strategic Planning
March 8, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
This integrative session helps participants apply systems thinking, adaptive leadership, and data-informed decision making to long-term strategic planning in the higher education context.
Reflection and Celebration
March 22, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
The program concludes with a look at future leadership opportunities in higher ed HR, as well as reflection on the program and what’s next for participants.
Additional Program Details
Program Objectives and Outcomes
Objective: Increase participants’ ability to support departmental and institutional goals through strategic HR leadership and services.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Actively contribute to cross-functional initiatives by highlighting HR’s role in shaping discussions to achieve meaningful institutional results.
Effectively articulate HR’s strategic value to senior leadership and campus partners while gaining their support to achieve goals.
Objective: Expand participants’ ability to drive change through understanding of the higher ed business model, org structure and funding.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Assess department and campus readiness for change.
Draft and adapt HR strategies that fit the unique needs, constraints, and strengths of their institution.
Analyze their institution’s higher ed business model in the context of change.
Objective: Develop adaptive and ethical leadership skills to navigate complex, evolving challenges.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Articulate and adapt their leadership to effectively manage new and complex challenges while maintaining integrity and institutional alignment.
Describe how they will practice ethical leadership that is consistently grounded in institutional values and transparency
Objective: Enhance leadership practices that influence and cultivate healthy workplace cultures.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Identify and describe the key components of a healthy workplace culture and how to model and sustain it in your institution.
Identify and assess systemic practices around healthy workplace cultures in their institution and create a plan to address gaps through their HR role.
Develop a plan to respond to challenges in their/your institution in ways that surface possibilities and encourage input from others.
Objective: Improve data and technology acumen to inform evidence-based decision-making and process improvement.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate and facilitate approaches that can streamline processes and improve service delivery in their institution.
Use data to assess and describe HR capabilities (people, programs, processes) and clearly communicate how the results support institutional goals and campus-wide needs.
Time Commitment
Starting in September, participants should be prepared to dedicate 6-7 hours per month to the Higher Ed Leadership Experience (with an additional block of time in October for the in-person workshop).
Their time will be dedicated to completing the leadership assessment, attending virtual and in-person workshops, preparing information for each session, integrating tools and new applications into their institutional context, and program communications. Total time commitment from September 2026 to March 2027 will be 50-60 hours.
Program participants are expected to participate in all virtual and in-person workshops.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP (ATTENDANCE REQUIRED)
October 3 | 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. ET | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
October 4 | 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ET | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS (ATTENDANCE REQUIRED)
September 14 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
October 19 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
November 2 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
November 16 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
December 14 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
January 11, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
January 25, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
February 8, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
February 22, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
March 8, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
March 22, 2027 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET | Zoom
Cost
The 2026-27 program fee is $2,000. Included in the fee are:
Leadership assessment report
11 virtual program sessions
The in-person workshop in Philadelphia on October 3-4*
Meals during the in-person workshop
All program materials
*Participants are responsible for the cost of travel to and from Philadelphia and lodging at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. The Marriott is also the location of the 2026 CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo.
CUPA-HR’s conference room block rate (available for stays October 3-7) is $294 per night, plus taxes and fees, for a standard room. Self-parking at the hotel is not available. Valet parking is $71.66 per day (including tax).
Extend your trip, your learning and your professional connections. Program participants receive a discounted registration rate of $615 for the 2026 Annual Conference, which takes place immediately following the in-person workshop, October 4-6, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
Continuing Education Credits
CUPA-HR is working to obtain pre-approval for continuing education credits from SHRM and HRCI. We expect the program to qualify for 25 credit hours.
Registration Process
Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for CUPA-HR’s Higher Ed Leadership Experience:
Your institution is a CUPA-HR member.
You will commit to participating in all program meetings and activities.
You have support from your institution to attend.
You have support from your supervisor and institution to practice the leadership competencies learned in this program.
Register and submit payment for the program by June 25.
Complete the “Tell Us About Yourself” form linked in your registration confirmation email.
Keep an eye on your email. Our team will reach out to confirm program details.
Participation in the program is limited to 30 people, and we are able to include one participant per institution.
Cancellation Policy
Program cancellations received:
Through August 19 will be processed for a full refund.
From August 20 through September 9 will be processed for a partial refund.
After September 9 will not be eligible for a refund.
CUPA-HR is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization of HR professionals serving our nation’s institutions of higher education. The content and discussions in these workshops are intended to be educational in nature and do not constitute legal advice or counsel. To that end, we request that participants refrain from promoting partisan positions during the workshops.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP Leading the Higher Ed Business Model Strategic Positioner
