Explore the strategic and operational issues for your campus to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.
Overview
Whether a global pandemic, on-campus violence, controversial actions by faculty, or extreme weather, it’s impossible to control if or when a crisis will happen; however, college and university leaders can influence how a campus reacts. The quality of that response can have a lasting impact on a campus community, culture, and reputation.

Drawing on the combined expertise of the Harvard Kennedy School in crisis management and the Harvard Graduate School of Education in higher education, this unique program prepares college administrators to respond to crises effectively, develop protocols and practices that minimize the potential for future occurrences, and inspire confidence in the long-term safety, security, and success of their institutions.
Program Details
This four-day intensive training provides a powerful opportunity for you to learn from experts in both crisis management and higher education management. You will return to your institution with the skills and protocols you need to handle any situation.
Objectives
- Learn to diagnose and understand an event, recognizing distinctions among different types of crises
- Explore the role of training and practice exercises in preparing your campus
- Discover how to manage policy and operational concerns that arise in a crisis
- Determine how you will ensure appropriate accountability during and after crisis events
- Prepare how to manage the transition from immediate response to long-term recovery