The Aspen Institute announced President Gregory Adam Haile as one of 25 Aspen Fellows for its new initiative designed to support community college presidents in the early years of their tenure. The Aspen New Presidents Fellowship for Community College Excellence is fully funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and will run a seven-month program beginning in June 2020.

A first-generation college student, President Haile had never even heard of college until he was in sixth grade. He has served at Broward College since 2011, and in July 2018 was selected to serve as president for the institutions 63,000 students and more than 5,000 employees. As a representative, a leader, Haile reflects the diversity of his students and community and is committed to creating a pathway for their success.

“On behalf of the members of the Board of Trustees, I congratulate President Haile,” said Gloria Fernandez, chair of the Broward College Board of Trustees. “It comes as no surprise that he was selected for the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. President Haile is a visionary who has, through his leadership in the last 18 months alone, demonstrated a relentless commitment to student success and the advancement of this community.”

Supporting New Leaders

The inaugural class, selected from over 100 applicants, have been college presidents for five years or less. They were selected based on their commitment to student success and equity, willingness to take risks to improve outcomes, understanding of the importance of community partnerships, and the ability to lead change.

During the fellowship, President Haile will devise strategic plans to tackle barriers of student success, as well as encourage the growth of health and vitality within Broward College and the communities in Broward County. Broward College has demonstrated its commitment to its students and its surrounding districts through Broward Up, a movement developed by the college that offers free educational opportunities, workforce training, and resources for students to thrive.

Making a Long-lasting Impact

Nearly 80 percent of community college presidents nationwide plan to retire in the next decade. Through this fellowship and its other leadership programs, Aspen is committed to helping to replace those exiting the presidency with an exceptionally capable and highly diverse talent pool.

The program for new presidents is an addition to the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, which has been serving aspiring presidents since 2016. Of the nearly 160 fellows who have taken part in the Rising Presidents Fellowship, 41 are now community college presidents, serving more than 500,000 students.

For a bio and photo of President Haile and a list of the 2020-21 class of Aspen Presidential Fellows, visit: https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/meet-the-aspen-presidential-fellows-new-presidents/