2025 March ELA Cohort
2024 ELA Cohort
2023 August ELA Cohort
2023 July ELA Cohort
2022 August ELA Cohort
2022 July ELA Cohort
Congratulations to the Founding Fellows of the ELA at Shiv Nadar University, India Program!
2021 August ELA Cohort
2021 July ELA Cohort
About ELA
The Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), founded by Josefina Castillo Baltodano in 2011, is designed to prepare college and university administrators from all backgrounds to advance into executive roles such as dean, vice president, provost, president, or chancellor. Through an intensive five-day training experience, guided by a distinguished faculty of over 20 senior-level higher education executives, ELA equips participants with the tools to lead inclusively, strategically, and effectively.
ELA fosters critical thinking, promotes servant leadership, advances executive skills, and strengthens strategic planning, cultivating the expertise needed to guide institutions through today’s complex and evolving higher education landscape. This foundation supports leaders in strengthening campus environments, responding to emerging challenges, and advancing institutional effectiveness.
The curriculum focuses on 26 core executive leadership skills and addresses pressing topics such as shifts in higher education and leadership, changing funding models, AI use in academia, risk management, fundraising, and governing board relations. By nurturing these leadership qualities, ELA empowers participants to transform higher education—championing innovation, excellence, and long-term sustainability.
2025 ELA Sessions
We are excited to announce that two on-site ELA programs will be offered in 2025. Participants may choose from one of the following sessions:
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March 24-28, 2025
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July 7-11, 2025
Tuition Fees
Tuition for the onsite program is $10,500 which includes breakfast and lunch for five days, one reception and one dinner, and a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley.
Lodging Fellowships valued at $1,400, are available for the July 2025 program. To apply for a Lodging Fellowship, kindly email a statement of up to 300 words expressing your financial need and the reasons you believe you should be selected as a recipient to srushing849@berkeley.edu. The Lodging Fellowships are intended for individuals who have demonstrated that financial constraints are hindering their ability to participate in the program. Please note that these fellowships are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.