Aspen Presidents Fellowship
The Aspen Presidents Fellowship is a year-long executive leadership program for community college presidents who want to advance social mobility and talent development in their communities by improving student outcomes. The program's curriculum includes frameworks and case studies reflecting the practices of field exemplars, customized data reports and assessment tools, and structured inquiry with peers and experts. In the end, the fellowship is designed to help fellows better understand their institutions and the success of their students, while also developing a bold reform agenda to advance student success.
Introduction
The Aspen Presidents Fellowship offers community college leaders a year-long program that includes two residential sessions, structured conversations with facilitators and peers, and opportunities for virtual learning. Presidents receive customized reports to more deeply understand three things: student outcomes at their institutions and after transferring; the most available good jobs in their region; and the extent to which their institutions’ programs and practices align to Aspen’s research on high-performing community colleges. Using exemplary models from the field, fellows evaluate their student success reform agendas to focus and refine their strategies with the support of their peer fellows, accomplished presidents, and field experts.
Applications Closed
We are not currently accepting applications for the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. Please check back for updates on the next application cycle.
FAQs
To be eligible for the Aspen Presidents Fellowship, community college presidents should meet the following criteria:
- Have served as a community college president for a minimum of two years
- Lead an institution that is ready for scaled and sustainable change to improve student outcomes
- Fall into one of the following categories:
- Presidents whose institution is nearing the conclusion of an existing strategic plan and seeking to embark on the next significant reform
- Presidents serving in their second presidency at a new institution who are eager to collaborate with experts and peers nationwide to advance their reform agenda
- Presidents with an ongoing reform agenda who are seeking expert guidance to bring their initiatives to fruition
Alumni of the Aspen Rising or New Presidents Fellowships who fulfill the above criteria are strongly encouraged to apply and further contribute to our community of change-makers.
Information about future cohorts of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship will be shared here when available. Please check back for updates
The fellowship application typically begins with an intent-to-apply form and includes committee review and virtual interviews. Applications for the Aspen Presidents Fellowship are closed; check back for the next cycle.
Fellows attend two residential sessions, each lasting three full days. Exact dates and locations for the next cohort will be shared when applications reopen—please check back for updates.
Thanks to the generous support of JPMorganChase, the cost of participating is fully subsidized for selected fellows. Fellows are responsible for covering all expenses related to travel to/from residential sessions.
Meet the 2026-2027 Class
Aspen Presidential Fellowship Alumni
As of March 2026, 433 leaders have completed the Aspen Presidential Fellowships, 202 of whom are serving as community college presidents. The Rising Presidents Fellowship (RPF) started in 2016, and the New Presidents Fellowship (NPF)—now known as the Presidents Fellowship—began in 2020. This growing cadre of change-makers advance student success at their institutions, support each other, and influence the entire sector, working at colleges that educate millions of students.
Related Resources
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Press ReleaseThe Aspen Institute Announces Third Cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship
— March 25, 2026 -
Press Release
The Aspen Institute Names the Second Cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship
— October 22, 2024 -
Press Release
The Aspen Institute Names the First Cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship
— September 19, 2023 -
Press Release
25 Community College Presidents Selected for Aspen Institute’s New Presidents Fellowship to Advance Student Success
— September 20, 2021 -
Blog PostAspen IDEAS: Heads of the Class
— September 25, 2019
Funders
Contact Us
For more information, please contact: Alison Quint, Associate Director