
June 2, 2023
Application Deadline
NASPA Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Leadership Academy
In-Person Faculty-led Institutes Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Asian Pacific Islanders
October 10 - October 12, 2023 Washington University in St. Louis
Leadership Academy Model
While the number of domestic and international students who identify as Asian Pacific Islander or Desi American (APIDA) on U.S. college campuses continues to grow, APIDA staff and faculty often lack spaces to develop skills and relationships to further their impact in student affairs. APIDA Leadership Academy (APIDALA) seeks to prepare student affairs professionals to move into positions of greater visibility and influence in higher education. APIDALA participants will learn core competencies, knowledge, skills, experiences, and abilities that are essential to higher education leadership from current APIDA higher education and student affairs leaders. APIDALA participants will focus on current research on APIDA professionals in higher education leadership and the pathway to educational administration. The academy will address the challenges and opportunities in leading at institutions of higher learning, especially given the changes the landscape of higher education has seen in the last couple of years.
In this cohort-based leadership academy model, participants will build critical competencies with APIDA professionals who are dedicated to leading in a vibrant, diverse, global, and socially-just higher education environment.
Application Process
This is an application-based academy. Interested participants will have to apply and be accepted to APIDALA. This application process includes completing an online application and submitting a current resume or CV.
This professional development opportunity is designed for self-identified APIDA student affairs professionals with at least 4 years of professional experience in higher education. APIDALA is a great opportunity for professionals who might be discerning their next career steps.
If selected, your application will inform how the faculty creates cluster groups.
If you're unsure about attending the program based on your professional experience, please email Gretchenrae Campera at [email protected] with a copy of your resume/CV. We'll help you determine program eligibility.
Presented By

Learning Outcomes
APIDALA seeks to prepare student affairs professionals to move into positions of greater visibility and influence in higher education.
By the end of the institute, participants will:
- Critically reflect on the importance of culture, context, and sense of place and their impact on higher education communities
- Explore the intersection of advocacy, identity and professional development and its relationship to their leadership and future career advancement in higher education
- Identify and develop two leadership skills that will enable them to take on additional leadership roles at their respective institutions
- Engage with a community of APIDA professionals across higher education
Leadership Academy Faculty
Participant Experience
Apply Now for NASPA Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Leadership Academy
APIDALA participants will learn core competencies essential to higher education leadership from APIDA higher education and student affairs leaders.
Registration
Once applicants are admitted into the program, registration will begin. Details for registration will be updated here this summer.
Members | $495 |
Non Members | $695 |
Nominations
Know someone else who would benefit from APIDALA? Nominate them to apply!
Schedule At A Glance
This is a sample outline of the schedule. Institute participants are expected to engage fully in all aspects of APIDALA, including meals and activities. Please check back soon for more details about the full institute schedule.
Schedule At A Glance
All times are in Central Time
All times are in Central Time
All times are in Central Time
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Check-In & Breakfast
8:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Morning Sessions
Sample sessions include:
- Looking at the APIDA Community Through a Critical Lens
- A History of APIDA Communities in Higher Education
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch with Mentor Groups
12:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Afternoon Sessions
Sample sessions include:
- Getting To Know Your Strengths
- Values Driven Leadership
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Dinner with Mentor Groups
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast & Welcome
8:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Morning Sessions
Sample sessions include:
- What Do You Need to Grow?
- Skills Needed for Professional Growth
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
12:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Afternoon Sessions I
Sample sessions include:
- Ethical Dilemmas
- Creating Critical Connections
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Individual Meetings with Faculty
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Afternoon Sessions II
Sample sessions include:
- Additional Degrees
- Career Mapping
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Dinner
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Brunch in Mentor Groups
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Morning Session
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Closing
Sponsors
If you would like to sponsor the NASPA Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Leadership Academy, please contact Fred Comparato at [email protected].
Event Health, Safety, and Responsibility
With ongoing public health emergencies, NASPA is prepared to manage our place-based events with the health, safety, and well-being of our attendees, staff, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers in mind. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, NASPA staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by our code of conduct and all polices in effect for any event sponsored by the Association.
We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for all of our conferences regularly and coordinate with trusted national resources, state and local public health agencies, and the hotels/venues hosting our events.
In all cases, we will continue to assess the risks in the area local to the event and the current status in the United States. In keeping with the Association's duty of care and the responsibility as host, NASPA has implemented safety requirements for many of our place-based convenings.
We reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of any current and ongoing public health emergencies.
For more information, please visit the Global Health, Safety, and Responsibility page.
Venue

Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
All conference activities will take place at Washington University in St. Louis. Institute participants will receive information about hotel rooms and room rates when accepted to the program.