How to Apply?

Nomination Process

Nomination by a Campus President 

• Campus Presidents are encouraged to nominate an experienced Chief Academic Officer and other senior leaders who demonstrate strong readiness and potential for a future presidency.  
• The nomination must confirm that the candidate has institutional support to participate fully in the Institute.

Access the Nomination Portal

Self-Nomination

• Qualified Chief Academic Officers or other senior leaders across SUNY may apply through self-nomination.   
• Self-nominated applicants should be prepared to demonstrate readiness, leadership experience, and commitment to pursuing a presidency.   

Access the Self-Nomination Portal

All nominees, whether nominated by a president or self-nominated, are reviewed through the same competitive selection process. 

Application Process

Given the highly intensive nature of the Institute, participation is limited, and candidates will be selected through a competitive review process. Completed applications must be received by close of business, September 9, 2026, and include the following: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• At least two (2) letters of recommendations, one of which must come from the nominee’s president.  
• Brief Statement of Interest outlining the following:  
  • Describe your leadership experience, including your current role, responsibilities, and scope of decision-making authority, and examples of institutional or system-level impact.
  • Provide examples that demonstrate your readiness for presidential leadership, including how you have navigated complex challenges, led through change, built consensus, or made difficult decisions.
  • How do your leadership experience, values, and priorities align with the responsibilities of a college or university president, including student success, academic excellence, financial sustainability, shared governance, community engagement, and institutional strategy?
  • What leadership strengths would you bring to a presidency, and what areas do you hope to further develop through the Becoming a Future President Institute?
  • If selected, how would participation in the Institute strengthen your ability to lead a SUNY institution and contribute to the broader SUNY system? 

Applications will be evaluated based on demonstrated leadership experience, executive readiness, and alignment with the responsibilities and priorities of presidential leadership.