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.
Check here to see if your institution is a member to see if you qualify for discounted membership. If not, you may also join the organization as an individual member and take the member discount when you register. Registration is closed.
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. As such, we have NO DRESS CODE. Show up as your authentic self.
NOTE: Thursday is Spirit Day, wear something from your home institution. We’ll be taking a group photo at lunch on Thursday.
The Institute is now published on Whova our conference app. Download it today.
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: UPDATED 10/2/2026
Keynote Address
October 14, 2026
Dr. Susan (Sue) Rankin retired from the Pennsylvania State University in 2013 where she most recently served as an Associate Professor of Education and Associate in the Center for the Study of Higher Education. Sue also served for 17 years as the Head Coach for Women’s Softball and Lecturer in Kinesiology at Penn State.
Dr. Rankin has presented and published widely on the intersections of identities and the impact of sexism, genderism, racism, and heterosexism in the academy and in intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Rankin is the recipient of the ACPA 2008 Voice of Inclusion Medallion and the 2018 James R. Douglass and Gerald B. Roemer from the U.S. Department of Justice for her work in the United States Transgender Project.
Closing Plenary
October 15, 2026
Dr. Darryl B. Holloman is a distinguished leader in higher education with over three decades of experience in student affairs, student success, academic administration, institutional advancement, governance and board relations, and human talent management. Dr. Holloman most recently served as vice president for student affairs at Spelman College, where he was a member of the President’s Cabinet, following senior leadership roles at Georgia State University, Columbus State University, and Rutgers University–Newark. His most current manuscript is entitled: In the Middle: Leading as Mid-level Professionals in Student Affairs with NASPA Publications.
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
Read about our 2026 Leadership Fellows on our blog.
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.
Early arrivals: If you’re arriving in Atlantic City by Sunday, you may want to check out the Miss’d America pageant. This annual charity event was created for drag performers who ‘missed’ getting into the real pageant. Sunday, October 11 at 8 pm. Don’t miss’d out!
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.
Discounted Lodging was held at the Tropicana Atlantic City (a Caesars Resort) until September 21, 2026. It may be possible to still book rooms by calling 888-516-2215 (8am-2am EST, 7 days a week). Use the group code ST10LE6 or identify yourself as part of the Leadership Institute 2026.
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