The 2026 Leadership Institute will be held October 13-15 in Atlantic City, NJ. Our host is Stockton University Atlantic City, just steps from the beach and the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. Registration opens May 11!
Join us for the 2026 Leadership Institute—Authenticity in Action: Leading with Hope–where LGBTQ+ higher ed professionals come together to connect, reflect, and share effective practices. Sessions will explore the trans experience, advocacy that drives meaningful change, hopeful storytelling, and the evolving realities of queer faculty and staff—along with opportunities to build community and learn from one another. The Institute offers space to step back, gain perspective, and lead with authenticity. Whova is our conference app: download it here.
Authenticity in Action: Leading with Hope
The 2026 Leadership Institute brings LGBTQ+ leaders together to reflect, connect, and lead with intention in a moment that asks a lot of us. This year, we focus on what it means to show up authentically, not just as an idea, but as a daily practice in our work, leadership, and communities. Leading with hope doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but staying grounded in purpose as things shift around us and recognizing the strength of community. Through storytelling, shared experience, and reflection, we aim to build something steady and sustaining—grounded in who we are and the futures we’re working toward.
Featured Speakers
Keynote Address
October 14, 2026
Dr. Bettina L. Love is the William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the acclaimed author of Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children
and How We Heal, a New York Times bestseller. The book has received numerous honors, including the Stowe Prize for Literary Activism, a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize, the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice, the National Council for Black Studies’ Anna Julia Cooper & C.L.R. James Book Award, and long-listing for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize.
Closing Plenary
October 15, 2026
Angel B. Pérez, Ph.D. is a globally recognized leader in higher education, dedicated to expanding access, championing student success, and building a culture of empowered leaders across the profession. As CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, he represents more than 28,000 admission and counseling professionals worldwide, serving as the association’s chief voice to government, media, academia, and global partners. He is the author of The Hottest Seat on Campus: A Roadmap for Mastering Leadership in College Admission.
Pre-conference Workshops
2-5:00 pm, October 13, 2026
Pre-Conference A:
Expansive Authenticity: Reimagining Leadership Presence for LGBTQ+ Higher Education Leaders.
Presenter: Dr. Brian Arao, Brave Space Leadership
Traditional definitions of “executive presence” often rely on narrow, Eurocentric, and heteronormative standards that can feel restrictive or misaligned for LGBTQ+ leaders. Too often, we are told that to lead effectively, we must either conform to these rigid molds or choose “unfiltered” authenticity. Both of these binary choices fail to account for the actual impact of our actions on those we lead. This workshop introduces a new paradigm: Expansive Authenticity.
Read more
Pre-Conference B:
Voices for Equality: Moving Hearts & Changing Minds Through Storytelling
Presenter: Nia Clark, Human Rights Campaign
Personal storytelling has always been a critical tool in our fight for LGBTQ+ equality, whether talking to family members, classmates, co-workers, or elected officials. Now more than ever, we need to refocus on the basics of telling our stories in ways that bridge misunderstanding and help to shift the narrative about who we are. This workshop does just that.
Read more
According to the LGBTQ+ travel site, EveryQueer, Atlantic City has long been a part of LGBTQ+ history, “and that legacy shows up in the way the city feels today.” Read the story at EveryQueer. Learn more about LGBTQ Atlantic City.
Getting to Atlantic City: Getting to and around Atlantic City is easy, whether you use train or bus transportation with NJ Transit, fly into one of three regional airports: Atlantic City International, Newark Liberty, or Philadelphia International. Get more information and see your options.
Lodging will be held at the Tropicana Atlantic City (a Caesars Resort) until September 21, 2026. Rates per night are $77.99 (plus associated fees). Reserve early by calling 888-516-2215 (8am-2am EST, 7 days a week) on or before the cut-off date. Use the group code ST10LE6 or identify yourself as part of the Leadership Institute 2026. To book online go to https://book.passkey.com/go/ST10LE6.
Code of Conduct: the Board of Directors of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education approved a code of conduct for the Leadership Institute and other events. Attendees will be expected to abide by the code of conduct. Read it here.
Past Institutes
2025 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
October 14-16, 2025 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2024 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
October 16-17, 2024 Bothell, Washington
See images from 2024