As someone who served as a department chair for 14 years, as an associate provost for 7 years, and as Provost for 3 years, my movement into higher educational leadership positions was gradual. Rapid rise based on necessity frequently places women of color in unsupportive or difficult positions. One way to ensure increasing success is to create a plan marked by covering one-on-one scenarios, thinking carefully about timelines for completing faculty promotions, and assessing whether to stay at a home institution or to leave it. The sessions I offer begin with defining goals and determining how long an association is required or preferred (one semester, one academic year, one calendar year, for example). Each academic journey is unique and sometimes an outside consultant can help discern patterns and next steps that allow for better planning and movement, inclusive of recommended training programs at several institutions. I tailor consultations to your situation and needs.