FAQs

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The HERS Leadership Institute is currently delivered in two formats:

• Weekend HLI: A staggered weekend format completed in 4 weekends over the span of 6 months during the academic year.
• Summer HLI: An intensive and immersive setting completed within 9 days during the summer.

Traditionally, the in-person offerings of the HERS Leadership Institute have rotated between the Boston, MA; Denver, CO; and Philadelphia, PA metro areas, although locations are subject to change each year.

We are currently looking to expand our programs into other cities as we continue growing. If you are looking for a HERS Leadership Institute in your local area, check our HLI page or contact us at hers@hersnetwork.org for more information.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Yes, financial assistance is available. We invite you to visit our Financial Support Opportunities page for detailed information about scholarships and fellowships, including eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and the review process.

Visit the HERS Leadership Institute program page for information on this year’s program, partial board fees, payment deadlines, and lodging.

After payments are processed, participants will receive their pre-institute readings and assignments with enough time to orient themselves to the curriculum and its expectations. This is essential if participants hope to yield the learning outcomes outlined.

Please note that participants will continue to receive a payment reminder email until their payment is officially posted to their account. 

Congratulations on working at a place that values and supports the leadership of women and people who are gender diverse!

Most likely, your employer has an internal selection process running through their women’s center, human resources, academic affairs, or the president or chancellor’s office.

Please contact us at hers@hersnetwork.org to inquire about your school’s status. Please note that we do not offer program fee discounts to partner institutions.

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We will be in touch with the full cohort after the application deadline, and you can expect an email approximately one month after applications close. Please refer to the HLI page for application and payment deadlines.

We will also host a virtual orientation about six weeks before check-in to review program details and answer questions. The orientation will be recorded and shared with participants who are unable to attend live. While this session will provide an overview of the program, the final agenda will be shared approximately two weeks prior to check-in.

 Throughout the Institute, participants develop a self‑designed Leadership Project that serves as a capstone experience. This project allows participants to apply what they are learning to a real issue, opportunity, or initiative within their institution or professional context. By the end of the program, participants leave with a clearer strategy, tools for implementation, and increased confidence to lead change on their campuses.

The HLI is a rigorous and intentionally designed leadership development experience that requires a meaningful time commitment. Participants should expect to be fully engaged during scheduled sessions and to spend additional time reflecting, preparing, and advancing their Leadership Project. Specific schedules and time expectations vary by program format, but all participants are encouraged to protect this time as an investment in their leadership growth.

Yes. Learning at HLI is deeply cohort‑based. In addition to participating as part of the full cohort, participants are often grouped into smaller teams to encourage deeper connection, peer mentoring, and collaboration. These groupings create spaces for sharing experiences, testing ideas, and building relationships that often extend well beyond the Institute.

Dress in what suits you best and makes you most comfortable. The temperature in the residence halls and conference rooms will vary from campus to campus. We recommend wearing layers, especially if it’s warm outside, because meeting rooms may be chilly.

We suggest business casual attire for the cohort photo and graduation, which are two different dates. Specific dates will be provided once the agenda is finalized.

Light refreshments, including coffee, tea, water, and snacks, are provided during scheduled programming sessions. Lunch is typically provided on full program days.

Most dinners are on your own, with the exception of select program‑hosted events such as the opening and closing celebrations. Please consult the program schedule for the most definitive and up‑to‑date information on meals.

Accessibility and Wellness

At HERS, we are committed to creating a welcoming and accessible experience for all participants. We strive to accommodate a wide range of access, wellness, and participation needs so that everyone can fully engage with the Institute.

If you have an accommodation need that has not yet been addressed—or if your needs change at any point—please contact us at hers@hersnetwork.org. We encourage participants to reach out as early as possible, and we will work with you in good faith to identify reasonable and supportive accommodations.

Dietary Restrictions

Dietary restrictions will be collected once the application period has closed and cohorts have been established. We work hard to ensure everyone has a balanced meal available, no matter their dietary needs.

If changes have occurred since registration, please email us at hers@hersnetwork.org to inform us of these changes. When you arrive on-site, please contact any HERS staff if any questions remain.

While at the Institute, we encourage you to practice agency and check in with the catering staff if you have any concerns. For those with strict dietary restrictions, the staff has often already prepared a special meal and needs you to connect with them to ensure you receive it.

Lactation Support

If you are lactating, HERS cannot provide access to pumping equipment; you can bring your own and take breaks as needed, and everyone will have a private bedroom at each Institute.

Childcare

HERS is unable to arrange long-term childcare during the Institute. If this is a need, we can discuss options with you; however, we encourage you to make other arrangements whenever possible so that your children are under the care of another throughout your participation in the HLI.

Guest Policies

Guests are not able to stay with participants in Institute‑provided accommodations.

For programs where participants stay at a conference hotel, personal guests (including spouses, children, or other visitors) may stay in the hotel at the participant’s discretion. However, guests may not participate in HLI programming or attend any scheduled or hosted meals. This policy helps ensure an immersive cohort experience and allows us to manage program resources responsibly.

HERS does not typically provide transportation to and from Institute locations. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements unless otherwise noted for a specific program or location. Please consult the finalized program schedule or contact a HERS staff member supporting your Institute for location‑specific transportation guidance.

Participants are encouraged to connect with fellow cohort members to coordinate shared transportation or rideshares when possible.

When planning travel, please allow adequate time to travel from the airport to your Institute location. Participants should plan to arrive within the designated check‑in window, as formal programming often begins shortly after check‑in and may include a welcome reception or opening session.

Institute facilities and accommodations are not accessible prior to the designated check‑in time. While it may be possible to leave luggage in a shared or common space, storage availability cannot be guaranteed and is at your own risk. Participants arriving early should plan to make independent lodging arrangements if needed.

If you anticipate arriving after the scheduled check‑in time or expect to miss any portion of the opening programming, please notify HERS in advance by emailing hers@hersnetwork.org. While we understand that travel delays and constraints may occur, advance communication helps support participant safety and a smooth program experience.

International Travel Considerations

Participants traveling from outside the United States should ensure they have the appropriate travel documentation, including a valid passport and any required visas, well in advance of travel. It is the participant’s responsibility to monitor and comply with all applicable immigration, customs, and entry requirements.

International travelers are encouraged to:

• Confirm passport validity meets U.S. entry requirements
• Allow additional travel time for customs, immigration processing, and potential delays
• Review time zone differences when planning arrival and departure
• Consider travel insurance and familiarize themselves with healthcare access while in the U.S.

If you have questions related to international travel planning or anticipate challenges related to timing, documentation, or arrival logistics, please contact hers@hersnetwork.org as early as possible so we can offer guidance and support where appropriate.

At HERS, we believe meaningful leadership development happens within a community grounded in respect, trust, and shared responsibility. We ask all participants to engage with one another—and with the program—thoughtfully, generously, and professionally.

To better understand the values that guide our work and shape our expectations of participants, we encourage you to review our About Us page, which outlines HERS’ mission, vision, values, and goals.

Shared Commitments

Across all HERS programs, we establish shared commitments to foster a learning environment where participants can take risks, reflect honestly, and grow as leaders.

Engagement and Presence

We encourage participants to approach the Institute with openness and curiosity. Some sessions may introduce new concepts or perspectives, while others may feel more familiar. In all cases, we invite you to lean into the experience—even when it feels uncomfortable—and to ask what you can learn from each session.

Engagement may look different depending on the format, setting, or personal circumstances. We ask participants to participate actively when possible, contribute thoughtfully, and help create space for others by sharing the floor—speaking up at times and listening at others.

Confidentiality and Trust

One of the most important components of the HERS experience is our shared commitment to confidentiality. We believe that what is said here stays here, and what is learned here leaves here. Participants are encouraged to share stories and specifics within the Institute community but not to share others’ personal experiences outside of it—only the insights and lessons gained.

Respect and Professional Conduct

Participants are expected to treat one another, facilitators, staff, and partners with professionalism, respect, and care. We value diverse perspectives and lived experiences and expect discourse to reflect generosity, curiosity, and equity‑minded leadership.

Commitment to the Learning Process

Leadership is an ongoing practice that requires intention, reflection, and follow‑through. We encourage participants to protect the time they have committed to the Institute to the extent possible, recognizing the investment they are making in themselves and their leadership journey. If questions or challenges arise related to attendance or participation, we encourage proactive communication with HERS staff.

Discernment and Trust in the Process

We ask participants to practice discernment—giving themselves the time and space to reflect deeply on their leadership, career, and impact. The Institute curriculum is intentionally designed and facilitated by experienced leaders committed to this work. We value participant feedback and invite ongoing reflection so that we can continue learning and improving together.