Crisis Leadership in Higher Education

Crisis Leadership in Higher Education is a four-day, on-campus executive program that provides essential frameworks for proactive crisis planning and robust management systems in higher education. Led by a teaching team from Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the program draws on extensive experience in crisis leadership, higher education policy, and strategic operations. Participants engage in real-world scenarios—such as campus violence and natural disasters—to address the strategic and operational challenges that arise during crises, while also exploring communication strategies tailored to educational institutions, so that you return to your campus with the skills and protocols needed to handle any situation.

Key outcomes include:

• Practical tools to diagnose and understand crises
• Frameworks to help recognize critical distinctions between different types of crises
• Skills to ensure accountability and build situational awareness
• Understanding both policy and operational challenges during crises

• Diagnose and understand crisis events, recognizing distinctions among different types of crises and appropriate responses
• Build situational awareness across campus leadership to support coordinated decision-making
• Understand and manage both policy and operational concerns that arise during crises
• Maintain appropriate accountability during all phases of a crisis
• Implement effective crisis training and practice exercises to prepare your campus
• Guide your institution from immediate response through long-term recovery, including reputation-sensitive incidents, natural disasters, and emergent public health threats

Crisis Leadership in Higher Education is designed for college and university leaders and selected independent and public school officials responsible for crisis planning, implementation, communication, and external relations. Recommended applicants include:

• College and university presidents and vice presidents
• Chancellors
• Provosts
• Deans
• Chief administrative services officers
• Heads of institutional communication
• Directors of campus safety and security
• Officials from independent schools and large public high schools

Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education provides comprehensive admissions and financial information to help you make an informed decision. Learn more on their website.

Before You Apply

• Only use the navigation buttons within the portal; do not use your browser’s back button.
• Save your work often. If your session is inactive for 60 minutes or more, it may time out, and you could lose any unsaved work.

New Applicants:

1. Click the Apply button at the top of this page.
2. Select Create an Account.
3. Enter the requested information. If your organization is not listed, enter "Unknown Organization.” Click Submit.
4. You will receive an email with a link to set your password.
5. Create an eight-character password that includes letters and at least one number. You will then be logged in to the Application Portal.
6. In the portal, follow the Start a New Application instructions below.

Returning Applicants

1. Click the Apply button at the top of this page to go to the Account Portal.
2. Log in to the Account Portal.
3. Select Start a New Application on the right side of the screen.
4. Select the program and session you wish to apply for.
5. Complete all required fields and select Review and Save Application at the bottom. If the progress meter does not show 100%, review your application and complete any missing fields.
6. To print or save a copy of your application, select the print icon at the top of the screen.
7. When you are ready, select Submit Your Application, then verify and sign your application.
8. After submitting, you will receive an email confirmation, and you will receive an email with any updates to your application status within three weeks.

Program Fee and Group Enrollment

Program fee: Includes tuition, housing, curricular materials, and most meals.  
Group enrollment: Tuition discounts are available for groups of five or more.

This program counts toward the Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership. Complete this program and two additional qualifying programs within 36 months to earn a distinguished credential designed to strengthen your leadership capacity and help you meet the evolving challenges of higher education.

Learn more about the Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership.