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NILA

National Institute for Leadership Advancement

We take leadership development seriously here at SHPE. Our national impact is only possible because of our chapter membership model. And this model is wholly dependent on the tenacity and strength of local chapter leaders. They are the key to our success, and we are committed to seeing them thrive.

The National Institute for Leadership Advancement (NILA) offers a valuable opportunity for SHPE’s volunteer leaders to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to be successful, certified chapter leaders. NILA 2026 will be held in two parts over the summer. Registration opens in early May.

Certified Chapter Leaders Program

July 18-19

Virtual

For all chapter and regional leaders, and advisors

 

$15 per person

OR

$75 per chapter

(for 5-15 chapter leaders)

 

Registration is closed!

 

Includes deep dives into chapter operations, available chapter support, and a chance for like chapters to collaborate on best practices.

 

PROMO! All 2025 certified chapter leaders will receive a code for a $50 discount off of National Convention registration!

Registration Site >
Event Site >

Presidents Summit

August 7-10

Rosemont, Illinois

For regional leaders, chapter presidents and vice presidents

 

$250 per person

Registration, meals & single hotel room included.

 

Registration is closed!

 

Includes leadership workshops, team building exercises, and networking with fellow chapter, regional, and national leaders.

Inc

PROMO! All chapter presidents and vice presidents who are certified at the 2025 CCLP and attend the Presidents Summit will receive a code for 50% OFF their National Convention registration

PRESIDENTS SUMMIT SITE >

BULK REGISTRATION

Bulk registration is for chapters paying for a group registration fee with a university check or credit card. Submissions and payment are both due by the deadline. Fill out the form >

Bulk registration deadline for CCLP: July 1

Bulk registration deadline for Presidents Summit: July 15

NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT?
 Apply here by May 27 for travel support to attend the Presidents Summit! If you plan to apply, do not register until after you here from us. We are unable to process refunds.

Certified Chapter Leaders Program

June 13-14

Virtual

For all chapter and regional leaders, and advisors

 

$10 per person

OR

$50 per chapter

(for 5 or more chapter leaders)

 

Customized learning experience for different chapter types: community college, new/small, medium/large, professional chapters 

Registration is now closed

Presidents Summit

August 6-8

Houston, Texas

NEW! For regional leaders and chapter presidents only, not vice presidents

 

$250 per person (Collegiate)

Registration, select meals & shared hotel room included.

NEW! $150 per person (Professional)

Registration, select meals & shared hotel room for Friday night with Saturday programming included or $10 virtually.

 

Includes leadership workshops and team building exercises. It will be focused on student (Thursday arrival) chapter presidents with an opportunity for professional chapter presidents to arrive Friday night and participate in professional programming strategic sessions on Saturday.  

Registration is now open

BULK REGISTRATION

NEW! BULK REGISTRATION QUOTE >

This form is for quote requests only and is intended to support chapters that are seeking approval or funding from a third party (such as a school or sponsor). Submitting this form does not reserve registrations, confirm pricing, or guarantee availability.

NEW! BULK REGISTRATION COMMITMENT

Bulk Registration Commitments (formally Bulk Registration Requests) are now considered FINAL after submission with no refunds options. Because SHPE provides a Quote Request process, chapters are responsible for confirming funding and finalizing their attendee count before submitting a Bulk Registration Commitment Order.

Bulk registration is for chapters paying for a group registration fee with a university check or credit card. Submissions and payment are both due by the deadline.

Bulk registration deadline for Presidents Summit: July 14 | 5pm CT

Countdown to CCLP!
June 13-14 | Virtual
Countdown to the Presidents Summit!
August 6-8, 2026 | Houston, Texas
NOTIFY ME
Sponsor

ABOUT NILA

The National Institute for Leadership Advancement (NILA) prepares chapter leaders to springboard into the year, helping them align their plans with SHPE’s mission and goals. It is developed specifically to learn best practices for running a successful chapter and for executing national objectives at a local level.

NILA is split into two events:

  1. Certified Chapter Leader Program (CCLP) – A virtual event for all chapter officers and leaders
  2. Presidents Summit – An in-person event specifically for chapter presidents

And while the programming is deliberate and vigorous, we promise there will be plenty of fun too! You’ll make unforgettable members and lifelong friends. Work hard, play hard.

CCLP BENEFITS

Topics: 

  • Strategic Alignment, Chapter Pillars, National Chapters Program 

  • CMT: SWOT Analysis, Smart Goals, and Measuring Success 

  • Fundraising, Sponsorship, Grants, & Budgeting 

  • Board Operations: What does it mean to be a leader? Understanding the unique strengths and assets of your team  

CCLP VALUE PROPOSITION:

  • Serves as the kickstart to chapters’ strategic planning  
  • Exceptional chapters serve as presenters to promote peer to peer learning  
  • Agenda model introduces a teaching Day 1 and immediate implementation Day 2 – chapter leaders are now learning, discussing, and implementing their learning objectives towards their chapter’s strategic planning  
  • Day 1 introduces baseline learning sessions to ensure all chapter leaders, new or returning, are familiar with the fundamentals to chapter operation success – emphasis on transferable skills outside the context of SHPE  
  • Day 2 introduce dedicated support day for students and professional chapter leaders, respectively.  
  • Regional leaders leading Day 2 sessions with participants of their regions to promote community, support, and cross-collaboration year-round  

PRESIDENTS SUMMIT BENEFITS:

Topics: 

  • Strategic Planning (1-2 years out) for your chapter 
  • Marketing & Branding: What if your chapter’s value proposition?
  • Leadership not Dictatorship: Leading multiple personalities (the team you want vs the team you get)
  • The Art of Negotiation: Persuasive Questioning, Selling, and Pitching Ideas 

PRESIDENTS SUMMIT VALUE PROPOSITION:

  • Provides chapter presidents additional leadership training and helps reinforce the SHPE community as a support and network  
  • Serves as a continuum to CCLP learning by creating checkpoints referred to as Success Stations  
  • Intentionally incorporating content towards both chapter operational success and leadership development – enhanced topics selected to reflect a president’s unique leadership responsibilities and contributions towards their chapter’s success  
  • Reformatting case study prompts to introduce business case simulations and prompts tied to the strategic plan to promote chapter buy-in and alignment with SHPE’s strategic objectives  
  • Introducing more opportunities to showcase leaderships skills  

NILA is also an excellent opportunity for leading companies to connect with the best of the best.

Overall goal for the NILA Attendee Experience: 

NILA served as a launchpad to my growth and chapter’s operational success. However, it is not the end of my development as a leader.  

It’s because of my attendance at NILA that I know about the resources and support SHPE has for me. I’ve made valuable connections that I can leverage when I need help throughout the year, such as regional leaders, SHPE staff, NBOD, professional members, and fellow chapter leaders in my region.  

When I face a challenge, I know I don’t have to navigate it alone, and that gives me the confidence to lead with excellence at my SHPE chapter and beyond in my journey as a future leader in STEM. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!