USC Aiken Chancellor Mentors Peers Across the Nation

Aiken, SC (02/19/2019) — The American Association of State Colleges and Universities tapped Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor of University of South Carolina Aiken, to join the faculty of a prestigious national program, which trains new university presidents.

The New Presidents Academy, sponsored by AASCU, provides a unique opportunity for new presidents to gain practical advice grounded in leadership research. The program's curriculum is complemented by the knowledge and experience of current and former AASCU presidents who serve as academy faculty.

"I'm deeply honored to be asked to join the faculty of this well-respected development program for new presidents and chancellors," Jordan said.

"My hope is that, through the work of the New Presidents Academy, we will help prepare individuals for this critical work at a time when higher education is changing rapidly and seeking new models to serve our citizens better."

AASCU's week-long program provides an intensive leadership development experience that is supportive, engaging, and tailored to the specific challenges that a first-time university president is likely to face. The academy is the only presidential leadership program that offers executive coaching and mentoring throughout the first year to support continued learning and success.

Organizers believe that higher education leadership is more demanding than ever. Talent search agencies specializing in recruiting university presidents and chancellors indicate that the average time in the campus chief executive officer position is now only four and a half years.

No stranger to mentoring individuals entering leadership positions, Jordan has served for nearly a decade as a guest lecturer for AASCU's "Becoming a Provost Program" and the "Executive Leadership Academy." The New Presidents Academy is supported by generous funding from the American Academic Leadership Institute.

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