CSA Fellowship Program

APLU’s Council on Student Affairs (CSA) Fellowship Program develops leaders working with or aspiring to be Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs). Through APLU’s network, fellows enhance their skills, expand their expertise, and build connections across institutions and professional organizations. The program complements existing leadership training, offering broad development opportunities that strengthen leadership, foster peer mentorship, and advance best practices in student affairs.

About the CSA Fellowship Program

The CSA Fellowship Program helps emerging leaders in student affairs build knowledge and skills in new areas of professional interest. Fellows benefit from key opportunities, especially the networking within a highly collaborative group. They also gain access to closed-door discussions with Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) about critical issues facing their institutions and the field. As part of the program, fellows are expected to attend the New/Future Vice Presidents Workshop at the APLU Annual Meeting, the annual Council on Student Affairs Summer Forum, videoconference meetings, and may contribute content such as publications or presentations on student affairs challenges and trends.

Fellows will meet regularly via videoconference to discuss topics of interest and explore potential collaborations on projects that advance student success and leadership in student affairs. While collaboration is encouraged, it is not mandatory, but fellows are strongly encouraged to document their learning and demonstrate their expanded expertise throughout the program.

The program runs for 12 months, with each cohort selected at the direction of the CSA Fellowship Program Committee Meeting. Fellows may visit campuses (in person or virtually), participate in key meetings and conferences, and contribute to projects that influence future training and practices in student affairs and student success leadership.

The CSA Fellowship has no monetary award. It is a structured program that provides coordination, networking, training materials, and guidance. Fellows and their home institutions will benefit from participation through increased skills and knowledge that contribute new, effective practices and perspectives to their student affairs divisions. Fellows will gain essential knowledge through visits to institutions with different cultures and innovative practices, develop a broad professional network, enhance leadership and problem-solving skills, and contribute to a growing professional body of literature on student success, equity, and the evolving role of student affairs.

Fellows must submit a final report outlining the outcomes and impacts of their training plan. Fellows will be asked to serve as reviewers for future fellowship applicants for two years following their program year. A graduation ceremony will take place at the CSA Summer Forum following the fellowship term.