Preparing principled

Transformation
Leaders In Higher
Education

The Higher Education Leadership Foundation
was created to Strengthen

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Our Mission & Vision

Higher Education
Leadership Foundation

The Higher Education Leadership Foundation was created to Strengthen the Leadership Pipeline for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Using the “Experiential Learning Model” we equip the next generation of leaders with the tools needed to answer the call of leading at tomorrow’s HBCU. The Experiential Learning Model facilitates a fluid transition from theoretical concepts to practical application in leadership development. This model emphasizes the importance of hands-on experiences that allow individuals to actively engage with and reflect on their learning. To ensure that aspiring leaders are equipped to identify and articulate their personal leadership ethos, we provide a supportive environment that encourages self-discovery and introspection. Each participant is guided through a process of examining their individual leadership styles and personal values, which serves as the foundation for their unique approach to leadership.
Impact & Initiatives

Our Impact

16

Leadership Institutes

Hosted 16 Leadership Institutes to empower the next generation of HBCU leaders.

460

Fellows

460 Fellows have completed
the Leadership Institute

16

Presidents

16 Fellows have risen to the Presidency.

29%

of Fellows

29% of Fellows have attained Cabinet-Level positions.

Educational
Outreach & Thought
Leadership

  • Produced 86 podcasts & webinars during COVID to support continuous learning.
  • Designed and launched a Presidential Leadership Institute tailored for new HBCU Presidents.

Strategic Partnerships
& Advocacy

  • Collaborated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to shape funding priorities, engaging 48 HBCU Presidents through H.E.L.F.
  • Partnered with SeaChange to explore shared services for the HBCU ecosystem, working with 8 HBCU Presidents and producing an issue paper with key findings and recommendations.

Community And
Engagement

  • Hosted the HBCU Convening in May 2022 in Charlotte, NC—titled “Ideation, Innovation, & Collaboration: What the Future Holds for HBCUs”—with 541 attendees.
Our Journey

Education Leadership
Foundation

The Higher Education Leadership Foundation was created to Strengthen the Leadership Pipeline for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Using the “Experiential Learning Model” we equip the next generation of leaders with the tools needed to answer the call of leading at tomorrow’s HBCU. There is a presupposition that all who assume position of leadership are in fact leaders. H.E.L.F. exposes each fellow to the fundamentals of leadership, while challenging them to define their personal leadership styles and ethos.

Leadership Institute
Cohorts

  • Alpha
  • Beta
  • Gamma
  • Zeta
  • Eta
  • Theta
  • Iota
  • Kappa
  • Lambda
  • Mu
  • Nu
  • Xi
H.E.L.F. Fellows Serving as

Presidents

Melva K. Wallace, Ph.D.
Elfred Anthony Pinkard, Ed.D.,
Herman J. Felton, Jr., Ph.D., J.D.
A. Zachary Faision, Jr. J.D., Ed.D.
Hakim J. Lucas, Ph.D
Willie J. Todd, Jr., Ph.D
Said Sewell, Ph.D
Jeffery Norfleet, Ed.D
Charles J. Gibbs, Ph.D.
Maurice Gipson, Ph.D
Stanley J. Elliott. Ph.D.
Latonia Collins Smith,Ed.D
H.E.L.F. Fellows Who Served as

Interim Presidents

Howard O. Gibson, Ph.D.
Clara Ross Stamps, Ph.D.
Stevie L. Lawrence, II, Ph.D.

Past and Present
Partners

Our H.E.L.F
Team

Melva K. Wallace, Ph.D

Huston-Tillotson University

Elfred Anthony Pinkard, Ed.D

Wilberforce University

Herman J. Felton, Jr., Ph.D., J.D

Wiley University

Gregory D. Deas, MS

Squared Focus Group

Martha Lopez-Coleman, Ed.D

Wiley University

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