Higher Education Resource Services (HERS)

Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) is dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse community of women leaders through leadership and career development programs that support various career stages. HERS was founded in 1972, and over the past 50 years, the organization has supported the career advancement of more than 6,000 women — from 1,200+ institutions — that have participated in the HERS Leadership Institute.

HERS has been working with DU since 1983, and moved its office to the campus’s Chambers Center for the Advancement of Women in 2004. And from 2007 to 2019, HERS held one of their summer (intensive) offerings of the HERS Leadership Institute on the DU campus.

My participation in the HERS Wellsey program was a transformational experience as it pushed me to reflect on who I am as a leader and my future aspirations. My favorite parts were getting to know other female leaders across a wide variety of higher education institutions across the country. The bonds and network that I created will last a lifetime.

– Lisa Vitoravich 

HERS Institute was an incredible part of my leadership journey. The institute gave me a holistic view of leadership both personally and professionally. What I loved most was the ability to learn from other HERS sisters who are administrative and academic leaders; and the long lasting alliances I have built with them. HERS is true to its words on developing women leaders in various areas of leadership development with a focus on Institutional Awareness (key to influencing), Networking (exposure to different ideas), and Self-Knowledge (self-awareness).

-Rohini Ananthakrishnan 

Leadership Programs Offered by HERS

In addition to the HLI, HERS offers five other leadership and career development programs for early, mid, and late-career advancement. Find a program that fits where you are in your leadership and career development. All are welcome to apply regardless of gender.

Requirements and Recommendations for applying to the HERS Leadership Institute

Letter of Recommendation tip: Put in your request for a letter of recommendation at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. Place your request to a senior officer who knows your current leadership work, and who you want to get to know for your future leadership advancement.

In the application portal, we have included a list of senior officer titles that we prefer applicants contact for a recommendation. Typically, these officers approve the release of professional development funding at institutions as well. We encourage applicants to discuss the availability of funding to sponsor their attendance with these individuals at the time they request a recommendation.

Other Relevant HERS Information
Upon completing the HERS Leadership Institute, Alumnae are invited to join the HERS Network — an online learning and networking platform exclusively for HLI alumnae. Through the HERS Network, you can leverage the collective expertise of the HERS network — over 6,000 women leaders — to share challenges or ideas for collective problem-solving and encouragement. The exclusive alumnae resources and benefits of the HERS Network, include but are not limited to:

• Access to the HERS Alumnae Directory
• Private messaging groups for HLI cohorts
• Library of free HERSconnect webinar recordings
• Discounted pricing for future HERSconnect Webinar Offerings

Commonly Asked Questions about HERS