Fellows-in-Residence

• The Fellow-in-Residence is offered to former Fellows (AANHPILI, BLI, or HLI), who successfully completed the program and are currently employed at a SUNY institution or the System level and whose aspirations include a senior level or a position in the President’s Cabinet of a SUNY institution.  
• The Fellow-in-Residence will spend the Spring (January – May) or the Fall (August – December) semester in collaboration with a senior administrative leader at a SUNY campus or at the SUNY System level.  The structure of the residency is intentionally flexible to accommodate the Fellow’s professional responsibilities and location. Fellows may choose to engage in the experience on a full-time, part-time, hybrid, or primarily remote basis, depending on the mutual agreement with the host institution or office.
• The Fellow-in-Residence will receive up to a 25% effort buyout from their current responsibilities at their home campus or, where a buyout is not feasible, a monthly stipend. The buyout approach reinforces the program’s credibility and institutional commitment by ensuring dedicated time for the Fellow to participate in cabinet-level meetings, strategic planning discussions, and other high-impact leadership experiences.   
• Fellows-in-Residence will be required to submit a written report outlining the goals, lessons learned, challenges, and achievements of their fellowship experience.  Fellows should be prepared to present their findings and reflections to their campus community and SUNY leadership as part of any culminating session or showcase event.   

Interested Fellows should submit an application to Zulaika.Rodriguez@suny.edu no later than December 1, 2025 for the Spring and March 1, 2026 for the Fall.

 The application should include:

• A one - two-page letter of interest with a strong justification and rationale regarding your participation in the Fellow-in-Residence program, including:
  • How this program will enhance and strengthen your professional growth and development;
  • Preferred SUNY institution or SUNY System Level department;
  • Identify a host institution and a senior administrative leader with whom you wish to work closely throughout the semester. Fellows are encouraged to explore potential host campuses and leaders in advance of applying to ensure alignment with their professional goals and leadership interests. SUNY LEADS can also assist in identifying and facilitating appropriate placements based on the Fellow’s focus areas and institutional needs across SUNY;
  • Potential outcomes/deliverables of this experience.
• Provide letter of support from the host campus leadership (e.g., President, Provost or other Vice-President in your area of interest). This letter should highlight the types of projects and initiatives you will be actively engaged in at the host campus and the support they will provide in your semester-long professional development experience. Applicants are responsible for initiating these conversations and securing a letter of support from the host campus leadership.
• Provide letter from your current campus leadership (e.g., President, Vice-President or Provost) confirming institutional endorsement of Fellow’s participation. The letter should highlight how this semester-long residency will enhance the applicant’s professional development and leadership growth, as well as how the experience will contribute to their current and future roles within the institution.
  • Should highlight that the applicant, if selected, will receive a 25% effort buyout from their current responsibilities or a stipend.
  • If the applicant’s direct supervisor is not the signatory of the first letter, a separate letter of support should be provided. This letter should detail how the Fellow’s time and responsibilities will be adjusted to accommodate participation in the program. 
• If a 25% effort buyout is selected, the fellow’s weekly schedule should be adjusted to reflect a 25% reduction in their current duties. If a stipend is selected, the fellow will maintain full-time responsibilities at their home campus but should be granted reasonable flexibility, such as adjusted meeting schedules or professional leave time to engage in program related activities, virtual meetings, or short-term campus-visits.