AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program
Preparing promising mid- to senior-level managers to take on even greater leadership roles in higher education is the goal behind the new AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program.
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The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities offered the opportunity to its members, the 18 independent colleges and universities in Kentucky. This immersive leadership development program helps rising campus leaders evaluate how their skills, natural abilities, and calling can be honed to meet key leadership needs in today's higher education environment.
Seventeen participants from nine institutions and one AIKCU staff member completed the inaugural program in June 2025. Members of the Class of 2025 are listed below.
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"Preparing leaders to serve effectively and courageously in higher ed is critical to the sustainability of our sector," AIKCU President Mason Dyer said. "This program gives selected campus managers the tools to enhance and elevate their leadership abilities while also boosting their knowledge of postsecondary education."​
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Participants
Advancing Leaders is for mid- to senior-level leaders who are already making valuable contributions to their campuses and have the potential to expand their leadership in the years ahead. Each campus president could select up to two participants from a wide variety of campus departments, including academic affairs, advancement, athletics, enrollment management, finance, marketing, and student affairs.
Credo is Program Partner
AIKCU collaborated on the programming with Credo, a higher education consulting firm that specializes in leadership development for middle-talent campus leaders and aspiring presidents.
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Learning Objectives & Workshops
Participants completed workshops that focused on four learning objectives: Common Themes in Thriving Institutions, Demands of Leadership, Cross-Functional Engagement & Awareness, and Leadership Readiness & Growth Actions. See details below.
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Meeting Dates
The Class of 2025 kicked off the program with a two-day, in-person session in January. Participants then met virtually each month until completing the program at a final in-person session in June.
Program Cost
The cost to the institution is $295 per participant.
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Contact
For more information, contact Mason Dyer, AIKCU president, at mason.dyer@aikcu.org.
AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025
The AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025 kicked off the program in January 2025.
The Class of 2025 completed the program at their last session in June 2025.
Brescia University, Owensboro
Lauren Osowicz
Director of Advancement
Sagan Storm
Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
Centre College, Danville
John Perrin
Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance
Ann T. Smith
Director of Budgeting and Procurement
Georgetown College, Georgetown
Alison Gillaspie
Director of Admissions
Chris Oliver
Vice President for Athletics
Kentucky Christian University, Grayson
David Manning
Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and
Athletics Director
William R. Stevens, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Humanities & Science
Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro
Lindsey Crowe
Dean of Online Learning
Morgan Russelburg
Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Midway University, Midway
Mona Chorera
Executive Director of International Affairs
Ashley Dudgeon
Vice President of Enrollment
Thomas More University, Crestview Hills
Joseph Christensen, Ph.D.
Dean, St. Elizabeth College of Natural and Health Sciences
Transylvania University, Lexington
Amanda Turcotte
Chief of Staff
Tiffany Wheeler, Ed.D
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Union Commonwealth University, Barbourville
Eric Evans
Chief Information Officer
Preshus Howard
Registrar
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Krista Hudson, Ph.D.
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Learning Objectives
Common Themes in Thriving Institutions: Participants will be able to articulate the key themes of thriving institutions and demonstrate an awareness of how their own experience compares.
Demands of Leadership: Participants will understand the demands on leaders in today's higher education landscape and be equipped with tools to apply in their own leadership.
Cross-Functional Engagement & Awareness: Participants will increase their ability to engage effectively across both their own institution and within the larger context of higher education beyond their functional area.
Leadership Readiness & Growth Actions: Participants will gauge their own readiness for leadership in general and specific areas, and develop a roadmap for growth toward their goals.
Workshops
Participants will engage with both Credo facilitators and each other in these interactive, reflective workshops.
YOUR
LEADERSHIP STYLE
​Participants will complete the REACH Leadership assessment, a powerful development tool that explores their unique leadership approach.
A certified REACH coach will facilitate a conversation about leadership alignment grounded in REACH competencies. Participants will explore, individually and in groups, their own leadership style and how they relate to others from that position.
This facilitation provides a common language for individual leadership that underpins an exploration of the higher education landscape and institutional thriving moving forward.
THE THRIVING FRAMEWORK: EXTERNAL CONTEXT, INSTITUTIONAL THRIVING & LEADERSHIP IMPLICATIONS
Participants will explore and gain an understanding of what helps colleges and universities thrive by using Credo’s proprietary Thriving Framework research as a foundational tool.
This curriculum moves from an overview of each element – such as Student Learning & Success, Net Revenue & Institutional Finance, and Courageous & Collaborative Leadership – into current research, institutional and leadership implications, personal reflection, and case study.
BUILDING A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS
​Participants will articulate a vision for their professional future, examine their current landscape in relation to that vision, and define action steps to move from current state to vision achievement.
Small-group discussion among peers and individual coaching time with the workshop leaders will bring closure and solidify network connections for the future.