Advancement Academy

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15 Years of Redefining Advancement

Advancement Academy 2026 brought together 100-plus admission, development, and marketing communications leaders. The Academy embraces ISM's advancement model, designed to unify these key areas for better mission delivery.

Advancement Academy is designed for impact. Participants are assigned an ISM mentor to guide them through their learning throughout the week. By week’s end, each participant develops and presents an action plan that they'll bring back to school and put to work immediately.

“This is unlike any other professional development experience I've had,” was a common refrain from the week.

The Harold Brown Scholarship

ISM established The Harold Brown Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of Harold Brown, a dedicated mentor, leader, and advocate for private-independent school advancement professionals. Harold, a long-time faculty member of the ISM Advancement Academy, was committed to educating, mentoring, and inspiring advancement professionals, helping them navigate the challenges of independent school fundraising with wisdom, generosity, and a deep belief in the power of relationships. As Phil Higginson of ISM remarked:

“Harold Brown was a dedicated leader in independent school advancement, deeply committed to his work and those around him. He had a true passion for mentoring and found great joy in the ISM Advancement Academy. With a rare gift for making others feel seen and valued, Harold had a way of celebrating everyone he met — leaving them with the sense that, in that moment, they were the most important person in the world.”

Explore ISM’s professional development events.

Develop new skills, gain confidence in your role, and lead with clarity. Be mentored by leaders who are experts in their field, many currently working in private schools today. Get hands-on experience, network with fellow school leaders, and walk away with an action plan you can use the minute you return to campus.