The Clark Atlanta University’s Executive Leadership Institute has announced that the institute is accepting applications through October 19, 2022, for the class of 2023 Community of Fellows at the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI).

The groundbreaking initiative continues to serve as an incubator for recruiting and developing the future presidents of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Since its launch in 2021,  more than one hundred and fifty candidates have applied to join the 12-month leadership development program at Clark Atlanta University. Over 90% have an HBCU affiliation as alums or administrators. Each year, the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) selects 20-30 qualified candidates.

The growing list of ELI fellows who have accepted top academic promotions/appointments includes Dr. Keith Hargrove (photo inset). He was recently appointed provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Tuskegee University. Hargrove is a former dean of the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University. ELI’s 2023 cohort will participate in both virtual and in-person classes to help better equip them to fill vacant HBCU presidencies and other executive leadership positions.

“HBCUs are critical to our macro economy as cognitive diversity is key to global innovation,” said Dr. George T. French Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University. “Through the ELI at CAU, we’ve established a reputation as a premier pipeline for the next generation of higher education leaders who take a thoughtful, modern approach to education innovation.”

The program leverages the expertise of outstanding practitioners, including members of the HBCU ELI Advisory Board and the Council of HBCU Past Presidents, each of whom partners with ELI faculty to bring their leadership experience into the program.

“The first community of fellows learned and connected in a manner that is unprecedented for executive programs, largely in part to the work of our amazing leadership team,” said Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, executive director of the HBCU ELI at CAU and former president of Bennett College. “This unique curriculum was designed specifically for HBCUs, and we look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor. HBCUs matter today — now more than ever.”

The effort is supported by multiple donors, including the Chan Zuckerberg Institute, the Educational Credit Management Corporation, the Rich Foundation, Bank of America, and UMC, among others. For program, updates visit https://www.cau.edu/school-of-education/HBCU-Executive-Leadership-Institute/index.html.