ALI Webinar Series – Academic Leadership Institute

ALI Webinar Series

Below are the recordings from previous ALI Webinar Series events. Stay tuned for updates!

April 2025: Working with Boards of Trustees in Today’s Environment

Understanding the role of the Board of Trustees is critical to the successful leadership of university executive leaders. In a time where Boards are being forced to become more visible and public-facing, due in no small part to increasing political incursions into the academy, more people are becoming aware of Boards and questioning how they function. This webinar will consider the Board’s responsibilities in oversight and strategy as part of its broader duties as fiduciaries. How can academic leaders foster a culture of collaboration between leadership and Boards while managing institutional challenges and power dynamics? What is the role of trustees in championing inclusive excellence? Where is the line between the role of Boards and the role of leadership in the governance and management of universities? When should Boards speak publicly and who speaks for them?

Jennifer Hobbs moderates a conversation with David Rowe, Lamar Richards, and Ben Vinson.

March 2024: Sustainability of the Current Economic Model in Higher Education


In this critical moment in higher education, institutions are forced to rapidly ponder survivability and the long-term viability of the existing economic framework. How do institutions assess the ability to meet evolving financial needs while tackling critical issues such as tuition increases, student debt, and the environmental impact of traditional learning practices, while sustaining a practical and equitable financial plan? How can fundraising strategies help navigate these current economic pressures?

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum moderates a conversation with Dr. Ted Mitchell and Penelepe C. Hunt.

April 2023: Strategies for continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while navigating provoking politics and a post-affirmative action world

There has been an increasing number of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the country. Multiple states have introduced bills or taken steps that limit the administrative and pedagogical work of DEI, including a risk to affirmative action in the Supreme Court. How might we continue to advance our efforts? What strategies and solutions can be brought to bear in our current climate?

Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman moderates a conversation with Dr. Katrice A. Albert, Dr. Robert M. Sellers, and Dr. Peniel E. Joseph.

March 2022: Leading in a Time of Uncertainty: When Should the President Invoke DEI?


Using experiences as leaders committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the panelists will discuss scenarios in which they led, managed, or thought through a controversial high profile campus crisis. Webinar participants will learn how these leaders contended with their particularly difficult controversies and how they decided to “lead or leave.”

Dr. Carol Henderson moderates a conversation between Dr. Mildred García, Dr. Mary Dana Hinton, and Marvin Krislov.

February 2021: Budget – Foe or Friend When Advancing a Diversity Agenda?

In the ALI’s second webinar, we ask prominent national higher ed leaders about how they balance an economic downturn with important DEI work.

October 2020: Diversity and Leadership in a Changing Academy

This is the first webinar in a series hosted by the Academic Leadership Institute. Earl Lewis of the Center for Social Solutions moderates a panel featuring Lynn Wooten, President of Simmons University, Anna Branch, SVP for Equity at Rutgers University – New Brunswick, and Tokumbo Shobowale, EVP for Business and Operations at the New School. President of the New School Dwight A. McBride hosts the audience Q&A sessions at the end.