ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Keith Humphrey, Ph.D., the University of Northern ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s (ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½) vice president for Student Affairs, was recently selected to join a group of higher education leaders from across the country at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) .

Humphrey is one of 36 executive leaders selected from a diverse range of academic institutions across the nation to join the program, which provides a comprehensive experience focused on leadership development, mentorship and professional networking.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ President and AASCU Board Member Andy Feinstein emphasized that Humphrey’s selection for the ELA underscores both the program’s vital role in developing future higher education leaders and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’s deep commitment to cultivating the next generation of leadership.

“It is an honor to be nominated by President Feinstein for the Executive Leadership Academy and it is a privilege to represent ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ at this institute,” Humphrey said. “I am someone who believes we all have capacity to learn and grow as leaders, and I look forward to learning more over this year that will help me serve the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ community.”

Humphrey, who has been at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ since May 2025, is a proven student affairs leader with over 25 years of higher education experience, including previous roles at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, and The University of Arizona.

ELA is formed through a collaborative partnership between AASCU, the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). Since its inception in 2009, the academy has served to prepare experienced administrators for chief executive roles, with many advancing to top positions nationwide.

“At a time of significant change across the higher education landscape, programs like ELA play a critical role in supporting and preparing the next generation of institutional leaders,” said Charles L. Welch, president and CEO of AASCU. “Through our partnership, we are proud to invest in leaders who are deeply committed to their campuses and communities.”

This year’s cohort of ELA began with the first of two in-person seminars in Washington, DC on June 15-16. There, members met and collaborated for the first time in an intensive learning experience led by industry leaders and subject matter experts in the field of higher education. .