The Application Process

Our programs Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Leadership Institute (AANHPILI), Black Leadership Institute (BLI), Disability Support Leadership Institute (DSLI), and Hispanic Leadership Institute (HLI) are open to all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination laws.

All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria.

Who Should Apply?

Full-time SUNY employees (e.g., Faculty or staff) who:

Mid-to-senior-level emerging or established leaders, with a minimum of one (1) year employed within the SUNY System, including its colleges and universities, and have worked at least three (3) years in higher education.
Demonstrated proven leadership and administrative experience and on a career path to higher levels of administrative and leadership responsibility within SUNY, at the system level, or a university campus.

How to Apply?

The application process will include four main steps:

Nomination via portal,
Application via portal,
Selection Process, and
Acceptance by the candidate.

Nomination

The first step is to be nominated by the campus president, provost, vice president, or school dean. If you work at SUNY System Administration or the Research Foundation, then you must be co-nominated by your supervisor and a cabinet member.

The nominator must complete the form in the Leadership Program Nomination Portal and upload a letter of recommendation. The nomination cannot be submitted by the nominee directly.

SUNY Leadership Program Nomination Portal

Nomination deadline is: September 12, 2025.

Application

Once the nomination is received via the portal, nominees will receive an email with instructions to complete the application and a link to the Application Submission Portal.

Follow the instructions provided to complete the questions, provide the information and submit the additional materials requested. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

As you get ready to complete the application, please be prepared to upload the following into the portal:

Campus Statement of Commitment – a form is also provided in the portal.
A copy of an up-to-date CV or résumé.
One (1) letter of recommendation from someone other than the Nominator.

The deadline to submit the application and all supporting documentation is October 10, 2025.

Selection and Acceptance

The selection committee will review all completed applications on a rolling basis. The goal is to select a group of approximately 5-10 fellows for each program (HLI, BLI, DSLI, and AANHPILI) to be part of the 2026 cohort. Once the selection is made, all applicants will receive an email with the decision. Selected Fellows will have the option to accept the Fellowship and commit to the program.

Since the Fellowship programs have limited spaces and high demand, we recommend to consider the decision seriously before making the final commitment.