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Read about what we are up to: webinars, mentoring, and membership spotlights.

Members gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the LGBTQ Leaders annual meeting on October 15, 2025. They heard a report from Board President, Kristin Esterberg; Treasurer, Dick Senese; and Executive Director, Jim Berg. Members also approved a slate of new and renewing board members. (See the new board list here.) Below is a PDF of the presentation.

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We are pleased to announce five Leadership Fellowships for 2025. Leadership Fellows are higher education leaders with a background in the humanities or humanistic social sciences who will attend the annual Leadership Institute in Milwaukee in October.

Pictured above are fellows (top row) Julia Himberg, Fatima Al-Muntafik, Darian Senn-Carter, Ed.D., and (bottom row) Ethan Trinh, Ph.D., and Robert Tudor. They will be matched with 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. Join them and other hashtag lgbtq higher education leaders at the Institute.

The Board of Directors seeks new members for the Board and for Board committees

The Board of Directors seeks to fill two types of openings: at least three (3) positions for a current or former president, chancellor, or campus CEO; and up to three (3) positions for candidates in any position in higher education. 

The board meets at least five times a year, at least one time in person, usually associated with the Leadership Institute in October. A two-day retreat may be held in person in June 2026. The Governance and Nominating Committee will propose a slate for ratification by the Members at the Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 15, 2025. 

To be considered for either opportunity, candidates must be nominated by the Governance and Nominating Committee (Richard Helldobler, Past-President, chair). Candidates for Board committees are approved by a vote of the Board at any scheduled Board meeting. Standing committees of the Board, for which nominations are accepted, include Finance, Program and Membership, and Governance and Nominating. 
Interested members should send a letter of interest and cv to Jim Berg (jberg @ lgbtqpresidents.org) by August 4, 2025.

To recognize outstanding leadership across the profession, LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education presents two distinct honors annually. Both awards reflect our mission to celebrate inclusive excellence, support professional development, and advocate for LGBTQ+ issues in higher education.

Founders Award

To honor a legacy of transformative leadership by a senior LGBTQ+ higher education executive who has dedicated at least 20 years to championing equity, innovation, and inclusion across institutions.

Eligibility
Nominees must:

• Identify as LGBTQ+
• Have 20 or more years of service in higher education.
• Hold or have held a senior executive role (e.g., president, chancellor, provost, senior vice president).
• Demonstrate significant and sustained leadership that has transformed institutional culture and outcomes for individuals of all identities.
• Must be a member in good standing of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education

Selection Criteria

• Service to the Field: Extensive and impactful career contributions.
• Exemplary Leadership: Visionary leadership recognized across the profession.
• Institutional Transformation: Proven innovations that enhanced equity and inclusion.

Emerging Leader Award

To celebrate and support early- to mid-career LGBTQ+ professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to LGBTQ+ equity within higher education.

Eligibility
Nominees must:

• Identify as LGBTQ+
• Work in a higher education setting (administration, faculty, student affairs, etc.)
• Have 5–10 years of leadership experience in higher education
• Demonstrate ongoing contributions to LGBTQ+ inclusion through research, programming, advocacy, or other efforts.
• Must be a member in good standing of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education

Selection Criteria

• Leadership Excellence: Proven ability to lead inclusive initiatives.
• Advocacy and Impact: Measurable influence on campus climate, policy, or equity outcomes.
• Innovation: Creative solutions to address challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
  Community Engagement: Collaboration with stakeholders to build supportive networks.
  Professional Development: Dedication to growth and mentorship of others.

Nomination Process

Nomination Period
July 7 – August 11, 2025

Who Can Nominate

• Colleagues
• Supervisors
• Self-nominations are welcome

Nomination Requirements

• A letter detailing the nominee’s qualifications and impact
• The nominee’s current résumé or CV
• At least one letter of support (required for self-nominations; encouraged for all others)
• Optional: A portfolio of supporting work (e.g., publications, media, programs, or research)
• Founders Award: submit here.
• Emerging Leaders Award: submit here.

The LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education supports the AAC&U Call for Constructive Engagement. We must do everything in our power to reject the current administration’s illegal overreach into college and university affairs, from the targeting of DEI programs and the withholding of approved research funds, to the specific erasure of trans people. Many of our member presidents have signed. We urge college and university leaders to add their names. 

In case you missed it

Kristin Esterberg, Board President; Jim Berg, Executive Director; and Kirby Knipp, Program Coordinator hosted an information webinar on April 18, 2025 about the program and how to apply.  You may watch the video here.

For more information on the program, see our mentoring page.

“You Belong in Higher Education” — University of Washington Bothell Chancellor Dr. Kristin Esterberg. See the whole story at Matthew’s Place here.