CIC’s annual Institute for Chief Academic Officers drew the largest number of academic leaders in the 33-year history of the meeting—with 304 attendees, including 245 CAOs, 59 other academic officers, as well as a record number of new CAOs. It was held on November 5-8 in San Antonio, Texas and explored the theme of “Building Institutional Strength: Programs, Procedures, and the Professoriate.” Participants rated the conference highly, with many stating that they appreciated the focus on institution-wide issues that increasingly are the concerns of CAOs. CAOs must often balance competing goals such as stimulating change and raising educational quality while improving the bottom line.

Speakers and panelists explored topics such as propelling change, balancing enrollment goals with informed strategic planning, analyzing financial data in support of institutional effectiveness, restructuring the institution, using data effectively in the decision-making process, contributing to the success of development campaigns, and establishing integrated planning processes.

Fifty-three CAO spouses attended special sessions on issues ranging from working with today’s college students to entertaining campus constituents.