HERS Programs, Workshops and Events

A transformative leadership development experience for faculty and staff in mid- to senior-level positions, the Weekend HERS Leadership Institute (WHLI) is our alternative leadership program. Held over three weekends throughout the academic year, WHLI equips higher education professionals with the skills and knowledge to become dynamic leaders who can strengthen leadership pipelines and advance more inclusive and equitable futures for their institutions.

Leading from the Middle (LFM) is a virtual leadership development program designed for mid-level leaders in higher education. The series offers a rich blend of interactive workshops, expert-led discussions, and practical sessions aimed at empowering participants to navigate the unique challenges of leadership in the “middle” of institutional hierarchies.

HERS President Dr. Gloria D. Thomas will present at the 2026 AAUA Annual Conference in Cleveland with an industry session on equity-centered leadership development.

Join us for a virtual info session to learn more about Next Stages Next Steps (NSNS). Hosted by HERS and co-facilitated by Academic Search, Inc., NSNS was created to help higher-education leaders secure executive-level leadership positions. Attend the virtual info session to learn more about this program and see if it’s the right fit for you.

HERS President Dr. Gloria D. Thomas will deliver the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Distinguished Lecture on November 4. She’ll explore what Proctor’s Civil Rights–era leadership can teach today’s higher education leaders. This free webinar is open to the public.

Join HERS at the CCAS 61st Annual Meeting. HERS staff will be on site throughout the meeting and we look forward to meeting attendees. Stop by to say hello, learn about HERS leadership development programs, and hear how HERS supports women and gender-diverse leaders in higher education.

HERS will be at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) 2027 Annual Meeting, January 20–22, 2027, in Seattle, WA. Join higher ed leaders to explore higher education’s purpose, public trust, and transformation.

Hosted by HERS and co-facilitated by Academic Search, Inc., a long-standing partner of HERS and a leader in the executive search field, Next Stages Next Steps (NSNS) is an in-person program created to help women and gender-diverse individuals secure executive-level leadership positions in higher education.

HERS will be at the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD) 2027 Annual Meeting, February 17–19, 2027, in San Antonio, TX. Come connect with us and with deans and academic leaders from across the country.

A transformative 9-day leadership development experience for faculty and staff in mid- to senior-level positions. The HERS Leadership Institute (HLI) is an in-person leadership development program for higher education professionals. Since 1972, the Institute has filled leadership pipelines across the US with dynamic leaders capable of ushering their institutions into a more inclusive and equitable future.