Senior Seminar Nominations

​​​​Initiated in 1987, the Senior Leadership Seminar series provides a forum to bring together emerging women leaders with established leaders in higher education in the Commonwealth. The Senior Leadership Seminar focuses on three core areas: personal development, professional development, and trends in higher education. During each meeting, speakers and guests join the group to discuss critical issues facing higher education from a variety of perspectives.

The unique feature of the Senior Leadership Seminar series is the mix of administrators from both the public and private sectors, from two-year and four-year institutions, and from a wide variety of functional roles. This mix brings together knowledge and experiences which greatly enhance discussions and group interaction. Participants have found professional colleagues with whom they can discuss problems, share perspectives, and gain support and assistance in professional growth and mobility. As a result of the strong bonds among members of previous classes, the seminar series has active alumnae who continue to work to enhance the advancement of women in higher education throughout the state of Virginia.
 

2025 Nomination 
The Virginia Network is now accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 class of Senior Leadership Seminar. We invite you to nominate up to two women from your campus for participation. Presidents, deans, executive officers, and members of the Virginia Network community, such as Institutional Representatives, executive board members, and past participants of the Senior Leadership Seminar are encouraged to nominate mid- and senior-level women administrators for consideration. We especially welcome nominations of women of color since we are committed to increasing their representation and involvement in higher education administration.

To nominate someone or apply to participate in the SLS yourself, please start by contacting your Virginia Network Institutional Representative (IR) or Executive Board Member and are following your institution's approach to nominating candidates. Institutions may only submit two candidates to participate, so it is likely your institution has an internal process to determine which nominees will move forward. This form is a first step in your process to participate in SLS.  
*If your campus doesn't have an IR or board member, please proceed with your nomination or self-nomination.  THIS NOMINATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY April 1, 2025, FOR FULL CONSIDERATION.

 Nominations received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. For more information about the program please visit the Virginia Network website at www.virginianetwork.org. If you have any questions regarding this application please contact info@virginianetwork.org.

Nominations will be accepted from February 5, 2025 - April 1, 2025.

Selection Criteria
Participants are selected based on a record of leadership at their home institution and their potential to contribute significantly to higher education. In addition, preference is given to those nominees whose career goals include advancement in higher education. Individuals selected for participation in the 2025-2026 class of Senior Leadership Seminar will be notified of acceptance before May 1, 2025.

Each session includes an overnight stay and travel to and from the session's location, which is the responsibility of the Seminarian and not covered by the tuition fee. Sessions take place on:

October 15-16, 2025 - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
January 21-22, 2026 - Hilton Richmond Downtown, Richmond, VA
May 28-29, 2026 - George Mason University. Fairfax, VA

Nominees are required to commit to all three sessions.
 

Tuition
The tuition to participate in the Senior Leadership Seminar is $999 and covers all materials, speakers, a reception, two lunches and one dinner as well as the 2026 state conference.  The participation fee does NOT include lodging, transportation to and from the sessions or meals outside of what's outlined. Once selected, participants will be notified of options to remit payment. Please note the $999 fee is non-refundable; cancellation after acceptance will forfeit the $999 payment.​

Scholarships 

Thanks to the Norrine Bailey Spencer scholarship, the Virginia Network offers one full tuition scholarship for the 2025-2026 Senior Leadership Seminar. The scholarship is need-based and preference will be given to applicants from institutions that are traditionally underrepresented in the Seminar. 

Nomination Requirements

While nominations can and should begin with Presidents, deans, executive officers, and members of the Network community, final nominations must be coordinated with the Virginia Network Institutional Representative (IR) from each campus or with a member of the Virginia Network Board. The nomination must be received by April 1, 2025 for full consideration. Nominations received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

​Questions about the Senior Leadership Seminar Program?  Please contact Marti Tomlin, mtomlin@richmond.edu.

Questions about the Nomination Form?  Please contact Elaine Densley, edensley@vt.edu.

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