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    Building Leadership Capacity. Advancing Institutional Impact.

    Develop the Skills to Lead in the Evolving Higher Education Landscape. 

    NYSERNet, in partnership with the SUNY SAIL Institute, offers the CIO Leadership Academy — a cohort-based program designed to help current and aspiring CIOs and IT leaders strengthen the skills needed to lead with confidence, vision, and strategy.

    Through this immersive academy, participants engage in a structured series of interactive workshops focused on self-discovery, skill development, and collaboration. The program blends leadership theory with practical application, empowering participants to navigate complex organizational challenges, inspire teams, and drive institutional success.

    Why Attend?

    The CIO Leadership Academy enables participants to strengthen their leadership capacity by:

    • Gaining a deeper understanding of their personal leadership style

    • Learning to adapt leadership approaches to different situations

    • Building confidence in articulating and implementing a vision

    • Developing strategies to build, motivate, and lead teams

    • Enhancing collaboration and communication skills

    • Advancing understanding of the key issues facing CIOs—including information security, data management, and emerging data-enabled technologies

    Intended Audience

    By participating through NYSERNet, members get additional advantages beyond standard aggregate buy pricing:

    The CIO Leadership Academy is ideal for:

    • New and aspiring CIOs/CDIOs seeking to build confidence and prepare for executive leadership.

    • Current IT leaders (Directors, Assistant CIOs, AVPs, or Research Directors) responsible for areas such as information services, technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, data, computing, or software support.

    • Campus professionals who coordinate or influence information-related activities and want to strengthen their leadership impact.

    • Other titles may include Analysts, Heads of Technology, Deputy CIOs, Deans of IT, AVPs, and Information Security Officers.

    Program Experience & Timeline

    The CIO Leadership Academy runs from February through mid-May and combines both in-person and virtual learning experiences. Participants engage in a blend of workshops, mentoring, and collaborative sessions designed to build leadership confidence and community across the higher education IT landscape.

    Program Overview


      • Opening Retreat (In Person)
        The academy begins with a two-day, in-person kickoff event hosted at a New York university campus. Participants meet their cohort, explore leadership frameworks, and begin their journey of self-discovery and goal setting.

      • Virtual Growth Sessions
        A series of interactive online sessions focused on developing essential leadership skills — from communication and team dynamics to strategic thinking and navigating institutional change.

      • Mentor Office Hours & Coaching
        Throughout the program, participants have access to dedicated mentor office hours, providing personalized guidance and peer connection to support real-world application of learning.

      • Mid-Semester Learning & Networking Event (Virtual)
        A half-day virtual gathering that brings all participants together to reflect on progress, share insights, and expand professional networks across institutions.

      • Wellness & Reflection Activities
        Designed to help participants balance personal growth with professional development, these sessions focus on resilience, self-awareness, and maintaining well-being as a leader.

      • Capstone & Graduation (In Person)
        The program concludes with an in-person capstone event where participants present their applied learning projects, celebrate their achievements, and join the growing network of CIO Leadership Academy alumni.

    Mentorship & Expert Facilitation

    A hallmark of the CIO Leadership Academy is its personalized mentorship and expert-led learning.

    Each participant is paired with a seasoned CIO who serves as a mentor throughout the program. These mentors are current higher education technology leaders who bring real-world experience, insight, and perspective to guide participants in applying leadership concepts to their day-to-day challenges. Regular mentor office hours create opportunities for reflection, problem-solving, and professional growth in a supportive environment.

    In addition to mentorship, the program’s sessions are led by leadership development experts from the SAIL Institute and experienced practitioners from NYSERNet’s member community. This dual approach blends theory and practice—ensuring that every topic is grounded in both leadership science and the lived realities of higher education IT leadership.

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    Want to know when nominations open? Complete the form below to receive updates and announcements about the next CIO Leadership Academy cohort.
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