Fellowships for Humanists
LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education is another year of support for leaders with backgrounds in the humanities or humanistic social sciences. Seven fellowships will be awarded for leaders to attend the Leadership Institute, October 15-17, 2026, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Leadership Fellows will be matched with members of the organization who are senior leaders for one-on-one mentoring, and will be provided with financial support to attend the Institute. Financial support includes a stipend of $1250 and up to $1000 in travel funds.
Since 2015, the Leadership Institute has been an opportunity for rising leaders to learn with and from out LGBTQ college presidents and chancellors. It has grown into an annual two-day conference with three main learning goals:
1. Building self-knowledge of leadership, with attention to the ways identities influence choices and approaches to leadership
2. Building contextual knowledge of leadership, with attention paid to current challenges in higher education and the LGBTQ community
3. Career development, with opportunities for participants to network, meet with mentors, and plan their career paths.
Over 150 people participated in the 2024 Leadership Institute.
The Fellowship provides an opportunity for a months-long relationship with a mentor, as fellows will be matched with a mentor in August so they may explore career and professional goals, and prepare to get the most out of the Institute in October. Mentoring can provide social and psychological support, skills development and professional progress, and short-term and long-term career advancement and success.
One 2025 Fellow wrote of the experience:
“The mentorship program at the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education Institute was one of the
most transformative professional experiences I’ve had. My mentor created a space where I felt seen,
supported, and challenged in the best possible ways—helping me clarify my leadership strengths,
navigate institutional complexities, and imagine new possibilities for my career. Her guidance was
both practical and affirming, rooted in a deep understanding of the unique experiences LGBTQ+
leaders bring to higher education. I left the Institute with renewed confidence, a stronger sense of
purpose, and a network of support that continues to sustain my work.”
Application Process
The 2026 process is open now. Applications will be due by end of day on May 18, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed based on four criteria:
1. Years of employment in higher education
2. Commitment to higher education for continuing employmen
3. Benefit of the program to the candidate
4. The candidate’s contribution to LGBTQ issues and/or populations in higher education
Fellows will be matched with mentors who are in executive positions that align with the Fellow’s career goals, sector (public/private, four-year/two-year), and previous leadership experience (in advancement, academic affairs, student affairs, etc).
Priority will be given to humanist applicants from under-resourced institutions or who are not able to use institutional funds to support professional development opportunities similar to those provided by this program.
“Under-resourced institutions” is defined as those that provide $1,000 or less in professional development funds annually for their faculty and staff, or who limit funding to
a) disciplinary meetings, and/or
b) no more than one conference or activity per year
Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of institutional policy or procedures regarding funding limits. Applicants do not need to be a member of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, but membership is encouraged, either as individuals or through their institutions.
For questions, please contact Kirby Knipp, Program Coordinator at kknipp@lgbtqpresidents.org.