Presidential Executive Training & Certification
Growing Leaders for a Growing Movement
What do effective presidents need to know and what practices must be consistently performed for an enduring and distinguished legacy? This training will focus on executive skills, institutional oversight practices, board governance, and excellence in professional and personal development.

Presidential Training Program Curriculum
The seven areas of training outlined below form the structure for this executive training program, specifically designed to prepare Presidents to serve with greater competency and expanded capacity. The bullets under each section identify the various presentations that will be offered over a two year cycle, delivered during Fall conferences and the Annual Meetings – a total of over 35 different workshops as part of the training program.
Board Governance
- Understanding the President & Board Roles & Relationships
- President & Board Chair Partnership
- Managing Board & Administration Relationships
- Planning Effective Board Meetings
- Facilitating Board Recruiting, Development & Evaluation
- Understanding the DNA of Biblical Higher Education
Executive Leadership
- The Essential Roles & Responsibilities of the President
- Institutional Vision – Creating, Crafting & Casting
- Leading a Mission-Driven Institution
- Enriching Institutional Culture – Distinctives, History, Markers, Story & Heritage
- Institutional Core Values – Safe-guarding the Compass Settings
- Cultivating Christ-Centered Institutional Spiritual Vitality
- Recruiting, Developing & Leading the Executive Team + Evaluation & Transition
- Effective Leadership of Executive Meetings
- Leading Effective Staff Meetings
- Collaboration, Partnerships, Alliances, Mergers & Acquisitions
- Leading Strategic Thinking & Planning
- Creating & Effective Management of Key Performance Indicators/Dashboard
- Presidential Communications – Correspondence, Social Media, PR
Enrollment Growth
- Leading an Institution to Grow – What it Takes
- Admissions/Enrollment Oversight
- Financial Aid & Discounting Oversight
- Value Proposition & Affordability
Resource Development
- Presidential Leadership & Engagement in Resource Development
- Cultivating Major Donor Relationships
- Successful Execution of Capital Campaigns
- Church & Community Relations
Financial & HR Management
- The President & CFO Partnership
- Effective Financial Oversight of an Educational Institution
- Understanding the Financial Audit
- Risk Management & HR Essentials
- Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Conflict Resolution
Academic & Student Leadership
- Managing the Academic Enterprise
- President & Provost Partnership
- Understanding Student Development & Transformation
Personal Development & Sustainability
- Presidential Calling & Passion
- Holy, Healthy Habits of Personal & Spiritual Renewal
- Presidential Schedule Management
- Boundaries & Relationships
- Major Mistakes to Avoid
Executive Training and Certification Program
Enrollment
- $100
100 Points Required to Complete the Certification Program
- Program to be delivered over two years
- May be entered into at any time
- Total of 4 events to include 8 presentations during each 2-Day Conference/Annual Meeting
- Total of 32 presentations plus other electives during Annual Meeting
- 1 1/2 Day Training Conference – Onsite – 15 points | Virtual 10 points
- 2-Day Training Conference – Onsite – 20 points | Virtual 15 points
- 2-Day Training [Thursday & Friday] During Annual Meeting – 20 points
- 1-Day Training During Annual Meeting Wednesday Forum – 10 points
- Personal Assessment and Development Plan – 10 points
- Personal Engagement in Position for 3 years and supervisor evaluation – 10 points
Program Coordinators
David Medders
Executive Vice President
david.medders@abhe.org
Darby Blanchard
Digital & Administrative Services Coordinator
darby.blanchard@abhe.org