CIC’s annual Institute for Chief Academic Officers attracted the largest number of academic leaders in the 34-year history of the meeting. In addition to a record number of CAOs, a large number of chief student affairs officers participated in this joint conference, traditionally held by CIC every five years, to explore effective ways of collaborating to ensure student persistence and achievement. The associations of student affairs professionals—National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and American College Personnel Association—helped to plan and promote the conference.

Held on November 4–7, 2006 in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, the Institute explored the theme of “Leadership for Learning and Student Success.” The 517 attendees included 324 CAOs, 138 CSAOs, and 48 other academic officers. To increase professional development offerings for newer CAOs, a well-attended workshop was offered for those in their third or fourth year of service. And 51 CAO spouses attended special sessions on issues ranging from working with today’s college students to entertaining campus constituents.

Throughout the conference, CAOs and CSAOs explored issues of mutual concern, along three thematic tracks: responding to societal challenges; balancing student responsibility for learning with the responsibility of academic and student affairs educators; and competition and accountability as imperatives for institutional leaders.