Ongoing professional community that begins after the Academy with opportunities to contribute as well as receive support.
The CAO Fellows Network
The Academy is the beginning, not the end.
Graduates of CAO Academy become part of the CAO Fellows Network, a national community of current and emerging executive academic leaders committed to strengthening their own leadership, learning from one another, and advancing the practice of academic leadership.
Unlike a traditional alumni network, the Fellows Network is designed to keep leaders actively connected to one another and to the field. Fellows have ongoing opportunities to learn, contribute, collaborate, and lead.
Fellows have ongoing opportunities to learn, contribute, collaborate, and lead, including:
Quarterly Peer-to-Peer Convenings
Candid, facilitated conversations where Fellows bring current challenges, exchange strategies, and learn from the experience of peers across systems.
Annual Virtual Fellows Conference
A national gathering focused on emerging issues, promising practices, research, and the evolving work of executive academic leadership.
Academy Faculty & Guest Speaking Opportunities
Experienced Fellows may return to CAO Academy as guest speakers, panelists, facilitators, or practitioners-in-residence, bringing lessons from their own leadership into future cohorts.
Collaborative Writing & Publication
Opportunities to co-author articles, practice briefs, case studies, tools, and thought leadership that elevate Fellow expertise and contribute practical knowledge to the field.
National Peer Network
Direct relationships with academic executives who understand the complexity of the role and can serve as trusted thought partners beyond the Fellow's own district.
Leadership & Professional Opportunities
Connections to speaking, publishing, research, leadership, and other opportunities that expand Fellows' professional reach and influence.
Continued Learning
Access to experts, emerging research, practical resources, and conversations designed around the issues executive academic leaders are confronting now.
A Network Built for Contribution, Not Just Connection.
CAO Fellows don't simply belong to a professional network. They help shape it. As the community grows, Fellows bring their expertise to one another, develop solutions together, contribute to the profession, and help prepare the next generation of executive academic leaders.
Come for the Academy. Leave as a Fellow. Stay for the Network.
Ready to Apply?
Space in each cohort is limited. Apply now to reserve your place in the next CAO Academy.