Presidential Leadership: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive

2021 Presidents Institute • 1/4/2021 1/4/2021 1/4/2021–1/7/20211/7/20211/7/2021 • • Virtual Event

About the Institute

Registered participants can access Institute resources, including video recordings of plenary and concurrent sessions, participant profiles, and sponsor information on the Institute virtual event site until December 15, 2021. Eligible but unregistered participants may purchase access to recorded materials by registering for post-event access.

Need help accessing the virtual event site? Contact us at institute@cic.nche.edu for assistance.

As higher education faces the consequences of a global pandemic and widespread demands for social justice, the confluence of unprecedented circumstances requires that presidents make decisions with long-lasting effects on the basis of imperfect information and at an unrelenting pace. In order for their institutions to thrive in an emerging future, presidents must make these decisions with resilience, with courage, and with the goal of inclusion firmly in mind.

At this moment—when the problems are compounded, the solutions are ambiguous, and effective approaches are still emerging—presidents turn to one another to compare perspectives, share what is learned from successes as well as disappointments, and work together to define new strategies. Presidents across the independent college sector are demonstrating remarkable leadership, meeting today’s unprecedented challenges with courage, resilience, and an inclusive spirit. The imagination, creativity, perseverance, and flexibility that smaller private institutions are known for has led to many innovative responses to what some had considered to be insurmountable problems.

Now, more than ever, presidents recognize the vital need to work together to share ideas, initiatives, and lessons learned as a community of educational leaders. Under the theme, “Presidential Leadership: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive,” the 2021 Presidents Institute will explore such questions as:

Which of the strategies that presidents are employing are most successful in the leadership of institutions?
How do presidents reconcile past injustices in their institutional histories with demands for diverse and inclusive communities and practices?
What difficult tradeoffs are most durable as presidents chart the best course of fiscal and operational choices?
Who and what resources are presidents drawing upon to inform and guide their decision making?

Virtual Format

Collaboration, networking, and mutual learning have always been hallmarks of CIC’s annual Presidents Institute—the largest gathering of college and university presidents in the country. This year’s virtual format will expand the ways participants can interact with and learn from one another, engage national experts, and benefit from the industry-leading expertise of the Institute’s many sponsors. Thanks to a flexible, interactive, and versatile online platform, the Institute will deliver valuable content and meaningful interaction among colleagues who lead similar institutions.

Daily plenary sessions will establish a larger context for presidential leadership, drawing on the insights of distinguished experts and experienced colleagues. Concurrent sessions and workshops will address practical aspects of the presidency. Multiple “round-table” type discussions will provide ample opportunity for presidents to consider with colleagues timely topics of immediate interest. Meetings of affinity groups will enable participants to compare approaches to common issues. In addition, the virtual format will allow presidents quickly to connect with one another, easily scheduling impromptu one-on-one conversations or organizing larger discussions with multiple colleagues. An interactive Virtual Sponsor Hall will give presidents the opportunity to learn from and engage directly with existing and potential industry partners.

As additional benefits, the online platform makes participation in the 2021 Presidents Institute available at a much lower cost and eliminates the time, expense, and health risks of travel. The platform makes it possible for more presidents than ever to engage in vital discussions of the future of independent higher education in this moment of intense need for connection and collaboration. And registered presidents need never miss a session because of schedule conflicts with campus responsibilities or other concurrent sessions. Most sessions will be recorded and curated. Registered participants can access on-demand sessions they might have missed, either during the Institute itself or for as long as a year afterward.

Featured Speakers

Danielle Allen
Harvard University
Danielle Allen
Harvard University
James Bryant Conant University Professor, and Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics
Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. A political theorist, Allen recently received the 2020 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity by the Library of Congress in recognition of her work on justice and citizenship in both ancient Athens and modern America. Since March 2020, she has been leading a collaboration of scientists and researchers from top institutions, including Harvard Global Health Institute and the Rockefeller Foundation, to develop a framework that provides clear, accessible guidance to policy makers and the public on how to target and suppress COVID-19 more effectively across the nation. Allen’s most recent book, which she co-edited, is Difference without Domination: Pursuing Justice in Diverse Democracies (2020). In addition, she is the author of Education and Equality (2016), Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality (2014), and Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown vs. the Board of Education (2004) and is co-editor of the award-winning book Education, Justice, and Democracy (2013, with Rob Reich). She also is a contributing columnist to the Washington Post. Her essays and commentaries have appeared widely in outlets including the Atlantic, NPR, and the New Yorker on such diverse topics as protecting American democracy, reforming prisons, and combating a global pandemic. In 2018, she was a speaker for CIC’s Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute. Allen has served as chair of the board of trustees of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Pulitzer Prize Board, and she is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.
Sessions:
Robert Zemsky
University of Pennsylvania
Robert Zemsky
University of Pennsylvania
Professor of Higher Education, Chair of the Learning Alliance for Higher Education, and Senior Scholar, Penn AHEAD
Robert Zemsky is professor of higher education, chair of the Learning Alliance for Higher Education, and senior scholar for Penn AHEAD, all at the University of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of The College Stress Test: Tracking Institutional Futures across a Crowded Market (2020). Zemsky has spent his entire career at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as chair of the Learning Alliance, a broad coalition of experts assisting institutions of higher learning in striking the balance between market success and public mission; as the founding director of the university’s Institute for Research on Higher Education, a public policy center specializing in educational research and analysis; and as professor in the higher education division. His work has focused on how best to keep colleges and universities true to their missions while at the same time remaining market smart. In addition to his recent book, he is author of Making Reform Work: The Case for Transforming American Higher Education (2009) and Remaking the American University: Market Smart and Mission Centered with Gregory Wegner and William Massy (2005), among others. Zemsky has served as a member of the National Commission on the Future of Higher Education, as a senior scholar with the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement, and as a founding member of the National Advisory Board for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).
Sessions:
Mary Schmidt Campbell
Spelman College
Mary Schmidt Campbell
Spelman College
President
Mary Schmidt Campbell has served as president of Spelman College in Georgia since 2015. She previously served as dean of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she founded and chaired the department of art and public policy. Earlier, she was commissioner of the department of cultural affairs for New York City. Campbell has taken a leading role in addressing the racial unrest and cries for social justice in Atlanta following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others. At Spelman, she has launched “Imagine. Invent. Ascend,” a bold strategic vision that builds on Spelman’s legendary legacy to educate Black women for the 21st century. Campbell is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was appointed by President Barack Obama as vice chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2009. She received the Hooks National Book Award for An American Odyssey: The Life and Work of Romare Bearden (2018).
Sessions:
Michael C. Maxey
Roanoke College
Michael C. Maxey
Roanoke College
President
Michael C. Maxey has served as president of Roanoke College in Virginia since 2007, having previously served Roanoke for 22 years in many capacities, including as vice president for college relations and dean of admissions and financial aid. He previously held positions at the University of New Hampshire, Wake Forest University, and Averett University. Maxey has led Roanoke in a multi-year effort to address the legacies of slavery and racism on campus. The college is a founding member of the international Universities Studying Slavery project and recently announced the Center for Studying Structures of Race, dedicated to studying race and the legacies of slavery. Maxey previously served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges board and is past chair of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities and the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the CIC Board of Directors.
Sessions:
Elizabeth J. Stroble
Webster University
Elizabeth J. Stroble
Webster University
Chancellor
Elizabeth J. Stroble was named chancellor of Webster University in Missouri in 2019 after serving for ten years as president. She previously was senior vice president and provost at the University of Akron, having earlier served as dean of the school of education. Earlier, she was associate dean of the school of education at the University of Louisville. Under Stroble’s leadership, Webster has received regional and national recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, including by U.S. News & World Report for Economic Diversity, as a Top Performer in Social Mobility, as a Best College for Veterans, and as a Best Value School. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education cited Webster for conferring more MBA degrees to students of color than any other nonprofit institution of higher education in the United States. In 2019, Stroble was named by Diverse as one of the top 35 women making an impact in higher education. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the CIC Board of Directors.
Sessions:
Earl Lewis
University of Michigan
Earl Lewis
University of Michigan
Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy, and Director, Center for Social Solutions
Earl Lewis is president emeritus of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, where he served from 2013 to 2018. He currently serves as Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy and director of the Center for Social Solutions at University of Michigan. An author and social historian, he is past president of the Organization of American Historians and was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008. Lewis previously served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of History and African American Studies at Emory University. He earlier held faculty and administrative appointments at the University of California, Berkeley. He serves as chair of the board of regents of his alma mater Concordia College (MN), is a trustee of ETS, and is a director of 2U and the Capital Group, American Funds.
Sessions:
Roslyn Clark Artis
Benedict College
Roslyn Clark Artis
Benedict College
President and CEO
Roslyn Clark Artis is president and CEO of Benedict College in South Carolina, where in 2017 she became the first female president of the institution. She previously served as president of Florida Memorial University. Earlier, she practiced law in a civil litigation practice and served as chair of the West Virginia Board of Law Examiners and president of the Mountain State Bar Association. In 2019, Artis was named in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the Top 25 Leading Women in Higher Education. In the same year, the American Council on Education recognized Benedict with its Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation; Benedict is the only private college to receive this recognition. Artis is a member of the Executive Committee of the CIC Board of Directors. She earned a BA in political science from West Virginia State University, a JD from West Virginia University College of Law, and an EdD from Vanderbilt University.
Sessions:
J. Bradley Creed
Campbell University
J. Bradley Creed
Campbell University
President
J. Bradley Creed has served as the fifth president of Campbell University in North Carolina since 2015. Previously, he was provost, executive vice president, and professor of religion at Samford University. Earlier, he was professor of Christian history, associate dean, and dean of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. Creed also served as scholar-in-residence at the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty and as visiting professor of church history at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. He serves on the boards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU). Creed also is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. He earned a BA in religion from Baylor University and an MDiv and PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Sessions:
Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ
St. Ambrose University
Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ
St. Ambrose University
President
Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ, has served as president of St. Ambrose University in Iowa for more than 13 years. She previously was president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College for nine years. Before that, she served as vice president for academic affairs and dean at Fontbonne University, associate dean of academic affairs at Avila University, and professor of English at the College of Saint Rose. Lescinski serves on the boards of trustees of the College of Saint Rose and Mount St. Mary’s University. She is currently a member of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the Regional Opportunities Council, and the Putnam Museum board of trustees. She has served as a trustee for the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Lescinski earned BA and MA degrees from the College of Saint Rose and a PhD from Brown University, all in English literature.
Sessions:
Paul C. Pribbenow
Augsburg University
Paul C. Pribbenow
Augsburg University
President
Paul C. Pribbenow has been president of Augsburg University in Minnesota since 2006. He previously served as president of Rockford College. Earlier, he was a research fellow at the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts at Wabash University, where he also held positions as dean of college advancement and secretary of the board of trustees. Before that, he was vice president of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Pribbenow has enhanced Augburg’s role as an activity community partner in an urban setting, which has resulted in recognition for its excellence in service learning and experiential education. Pribbenow serves on the board of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities and the Minnesota Private College Council. He is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. Pribbenow earned a BA degree in sociology and political science from Luther College and an MA and PhD in social ethics from the University of Chicago.
Sessions:

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January 4

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. EST

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: DANIELLE ALLEN

James Bryant Conant University Professor, and Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University

Ethical Considerations for Presidential Leadership in a Fragile Democracy

The year 2020 has brought tremendous pressures on American democracy and democratic institutions. These pressures have bearing on independent colleges and universities, their commitments to educate students for engaged citizenship, and the presidents who lead them. How have the consequences of a global pandemic, widespread demands for social justice, and the fractured nature of American politics and a starkly divided polity contributed to the pressures on college presidents in the myriad decisions they must make? What ethical considerations can presidents bring to bear as they weigh complex problems with ambiguous solutions? What role can presidents play in positioning their campuses as centers for learning from and interacting with diverse populations, fostering civil discourse, preparing students for civic and democratic engagement, and educating life-long learners? Danielle Allen, a distinguished ethicist and political theorist, who has written widely about the role of leadership and governance in diverse contexts, and the social and political forces that have shaped and continue to influence our democracy, will lead a thought-provoking discussion of these salient leadership issues.

Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor and Director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University. A political theorist, Allen recently received the 2020 John W. Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity by the Library of Congress in recognition of her work on justice and citizenship in both ancient Athens and modern America. Since March 2020, she has been leading a collaboration of scientists and researchers from top institutions, including Harvard Global Health Institute and the Rockefeller Foundation, to develop a framework that provides clear, accessible guidance to policy makers and the public on how to target and suppress COVID-19 more effectively across the nation. Allen is the author of Education and Equality (2016), Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality (2014), and Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown vs. the Board of Education (2004) and is co-editor of the award-winning book Education, Justice, and Democracy (2013, with Rob Reich). She also is a contributing columnist to the Washington Post. Her essays and commentaries have appeared widely in outlets including the Atlantic, NPR, and the New Yorker on such diverse topics as protecting American democracy, reforming prisons, and combating a global pandemic. In 2018, she was a speaker for CIC’s Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts Institute. Allen has served as chair of the board of trustees of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Pulitzer Prize Board, and she is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

January 5

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. EST

PLENARY ADDRESS: ROBERT ZEMSKY

Professor of Higher Education, Chair of the Learning Alliance for Higher Education, and Senior Scholar, Penn AHEAD, University of Pennsylvania

Presidential Leadership in a Time of Market Stress

Significant changes in the higher education marketplace are increasing the stress levels under which colleges and universities operate, leading some pundits to suggest that a number of institutions will not survive. Even before the added pressures of the Coronavirus pandemic, Robert Zemsky and his colleagues published a comprehensive analysis of the market viability of more than 2,800 undergraduate institutions and developed a predictive “stress test” model. Using four key metrics—new student enrollments, net cash price, first-year student retention, and major external funding—they assessed how likely an institution is at risk of closing or merging. What do presidents need to know about the specific stress their institutions are facing? What are the most effective options institutions have to respond to particular challenges? How can presidents use this strategic information to reposition their institutions in light of current crises? The co-author of The College Stress Test will discuss his most up-to-date thinking about the challenges independent colleges face and present a roadmap to guide presidents in their leadership in the face of present challenges.

Robert Zemsky is professor of higher education, chair of the Learning Alliance for Higher Education, and senior scholar for Penn AHEAD, all at the University of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of The College Stress Test: Tracking Institutional Futures across a Crowded Market (2020). Zemsky has spent his entire career at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as chair of the Learning Alliance, a broad coalition of experts assisting institutions of higher learning in striking the balance between market success and public mission; as the founding director of the university’s Institute for Research on Higher Education, a public policy center specializing in educational research and analysis; and as professor in the higher education division. His work has focused on how best to keep colleges and universities true to their missions while at the same time remaining market smart. In addition to his recent book, he is author of Making Reform Work: The Case for Transforming American Higher Education (2009) and Remaking the American University: Market Smart and Mission Centered with Gregory Wegner and William Massy (2005), among others. Zemsky has served as a member of the National Commission on the Future of Higher Education, as a senior scholar with the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement, and as a founding member of the National Advisory Board for the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE).

January 5

2:45–4:30 p.m. EST

Presidents Forum

(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)
Mary Schmidt Campbell, President, Spelman College
Michael C. Maxey, President, Roanoke College
Elizabeth J. Stroble, Chancellor, Webster University
Moderator: Earl Lewis, Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy, and Director, Center for Social Solutions, University of Michigan, and President Emeritus, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Reckoning with Race on Campus

In the past year, racial conflict, protests against police brutality, and responses to the Black Lives Matter movement have mobilized students, as well as faculty and staff members. Concerns have focused on strategies to change public opinion and to motivate campus and civil authorities to take greater strides toward racial and social justice. A panel of CIC presidents with long experience in addressing these issues will be moderated by Earl Lewis, president emeritus of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The presidents-only forum will consider such issues as student protests and demands; legacies of slavery and racism on campus; diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum; diversifying campus personnel; and renaming colleges, buildings, and programs. What have presidents learned from addressing these pressing concerns? What should presidents consider as they lead their institutions to be more just, equitable, and inclusive? The forum will be interactive, providing opportunity for participating presidents to raise questions and to share insights with their colleagues.

Mary Schmidt Campbell has served as president of Spelman College in Georgia since 2015. She previously served as dean of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she founded and chaired the department of art and public policy. Earlier, she was commissioner of the department of cultural affairs for New York City. Campbell has taken a leading role in addressing the racial unrest and cries for social justice in Atlanta following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others. At Spelman, she has launched “Imagine. Invent. Ascend,” a bold strategic vision that builds on Spelman’s legendary legacy to educate Black women for the 21st century. Campbell is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was appointed by President Barack Obama as vice chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2009. She received the Hooks National Book Award for An American Odyssey: The Life and Work of Romare Bearden (2018).

Michael C. Maxey has served as president of Roanoke College in Virginia since 2007, having previously served Roanoke for 22 years in many capacities, including as vice president for college relations and dean of admissions and financial aid. He previously held positions at the University of New Hampshire, Wake Forest University, and Averett University. Maxey has led Roanoke in a multi-year effort to address the legacies of slavery and racism on campus. The college is a founding member of the international Universities Studying Slavery project and recently announced the Center for Studying Structures of Race, dedicated to studying race and the legacies of slavery. Maxey previously served on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges board and is past chair of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities and the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America. Maxey is a member of the Executive Committee of the CIC Board of Directors.

Elizabeth J. Stroble was named chancellor of Webster University in Missouri in 2019 after serving for ten years as president. She previously was senior vice president and provost at the University of Akron, having earlier served as dean of the school of education. Earlier, she was associate dean of the school of education at the University of Louisville. Under Stroble’s leadership, Webster has received regional and national recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, including by U.S. News & World Report for Economic Diversity, as a Top Performer in Social Mobility, as a Best College for Veterans, and as a Best Value School. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education cited Webster for conferring more MBA degrees to students of color than any other nonprofit institution of higher education in the U.S. In 2019, Stroble was named by Diverse as one of the top 35 women making an impact in higher education. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the CIC Board of Directors.

Earl Lewis is president emeritus of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, where he served from 2013–2018. He currently serves as Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy and director of the Center for Social Solutions at University of Michigan. An author and social historian, he is past president of the Organization of American Historians and was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008. Lewis previously served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of History and African American Studies at Emory University. He earlier held faculty and administrative appointments at the University of California, Berkeley. He serves as chair of the board of regents of his alma mater Concordia College (MN), is a trustee of ETS, and is a director of 2U and the Capital Group, American Funds.

JANUARY 6

3:15–4:30 p.m. EST

PRESIDENTIAL PLENARY PANEL

Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO, Benedict College
J. Bradley Creed, President, Campbell University
Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ, President, St. Ambrose University
Moderator: Paul C. Pribbenow, President, Augsburg University

Courageous, Resilient, and Inclusive Presidential Leadership

A panel of CIC presidents will engage in a discussion of the keys to courageous, resilient, and inclusive presidential leadership. Reflecting on the theme of the 2021 Presidents Institute, panelists will consider what it will take for their institutions to thrive in an emerging and uncertain future. Which of the strategies that presidents are employing are most successful in the leadership of institutions? How do presidents ensure diverse and inclusive campus communities and institutional practices? What difficult tradeoffs are most durable as presidents chart the best course among fiscal and operational choices? Who and what resources are presidents drawing upon to inform and guide their decision making? Now, more than ever, presidents recognize the vital need to work together to share ideas, initiatives, and lessons learned as a community of educational leaders.

Roslyn Clark Artis is president and CEO of Benedict College in South Carolina, where in 2017 she became the first female president of the institution. She previously served as president of Florida Memorial University. Earlier, she practiced law in a civil litigation practice and served as chair of the West Virginia Board of Law Examiners and president of the Mountain State Bar Association. In 2019, Artis was named in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as one of the Top 25 Leading Women in Higher Education. In the same year, the American Council on Education recognized Benedict with its Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation; Benedict is the only private college to receive this recognition. Artis is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. She earned a BA in political science from West Virginia State University, a JD from West Virginia University College of Law, and an EdD from Vanderbilt University.

J. Bradley Creed has served as the fifth president of Campbell University in North Carolina since 2015. Previously, he was provost, executive vice president, and professor of religion at Samford University. Earlier, he was professor of Christian history, associate dean, and dean of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. Creed also served as scholar-in-residence at the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty and as visiting professor of church history at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. He serves on the boards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU). Creed also is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. He earned a BA in religion from Baylor University and an MDiv and PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ, has served as president of St. Ambrose University in Iowa for more than 13 years. She previously was president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, vice president for academic affairs and dean at Fontbonne University, associate dean of academic affairs at Avila University, and professor of English at the College of Saint Rose Rose. Lescinski serves on the boards of trustees of the College of Saint Rose and Mount St. Mary’s University. She has served as a trustee for the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. Lescinski earned BA and MA degrees from the College of Saint Rose and a PhD from Brown University, all in English literature.

Paul C. Pribbenow has been president of Augsburg University in Minnesota since 2006. He previously served as president of Rockford College. Earlier, he was a research fellow at the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts at Wabash University, where he also held positions as dean of college advancement and secretary of the board of trustees. Before that he was vice president of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Pribbenow has enhanced Augburg’s role as an activity community partner in an urban setting, which has resulted into recognition for its excellence in service learning and experiential education. Pribbenow serves on the board of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities and the Minnesota Private College Council. He is a member of the CIC Board of Directors. Pribbenow earned a BA degree in sociology and political science from Luther College and an MA and PhD in social ethics from the University of Chicago.

Schedule

New Presidents Program	New Presidents Program	26			CIC’s New Presidents Program (NPP)—the oldest of the programs serving new chief executives—provides the “need to know” tools and the counsel that will keep a young presidency on a smooth course. The agenda focuses on the practical needs and concerns of the newly elected leaders of independent colleges and universities. This year the NPP is offered in a virtual, sequential, and pedagogically fitting format, with sessions on December 9, 2020, and in connection with CIC’s Presidents Institute on January 3 and 7, 2021. Experienced independent college and university presidents are leading interactive sessions on critical presidential leadership topics; the program also provides opportunities for informal interactions among new presidents to facilitate the development of a community of campus leaders who share similar concerns.<br><br><em>Please note: The New Presidents Program requires pre-registration and cannot be added to My Schedule. To register, please contact Sherita Ashmon, CIC conference manager, at <a href="mailto:institute@cic.nche.edu">institute@cic.nche.edu</a>.</em><br><br><h3>Welcome, Logistics, and Introductions of Presenters</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Mary Pat Seurkamp</em></strong>, Senior Advisor and Director, CIC New Presidents Program, and President Emerita, Notre Dame of Maryland University<br></blockquote><br><h3>I Wish I had Known</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Hilary L. Link</em></strong>, President, Allegheny College<br><strong><em>Elfred Anthony Pinkard</em></strong>, President, Wilberforce University<br></blockquote><br><h3>Working with the Board – Beyond the Basics</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Jeff Abernathy</em></strong>, President, Alma College<br><strong><em>Marjorie Hass</em></strong>, President, Rhodes College<br>Moderator: <strong><em>Douglas M. Orr</em></strong>, President Emeritus, Warren Wilson College<br></blockquote><br><h3>The President and Institutional Advancement</h3><blockquote><strong><em>David C. Joyce</em></strong>, President, Brevard College<br><strong><em>Carmen Twillie Ambar</em></strong>, President, Oberlin College<br></blockquote><br><h3>You Got the Job, Now What?</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Logan C. Hampton</em></strong>, President, Lane College<br></blockquote><br><h3>Last Questions and Close</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Mary Pat Seurkamp</em></strong>, Senior Advisor and Director, CIC New Presidents Program, and President Emerita, Notre Dame of Maryland University</blockquote>
New Presidents Program	New Presidents Program	1			<em></em>CIC’s New Presidents Program (NPP)—the oldest of the programs serving new chief executives—provides the “need to know” tools and the counsel that will keep a young presidency on a smooth course. The agenda focuses on the practical needs and concerns of the newly elected leaders of independent colleges and universities. This year the NPP is offered in a virtual, sequential, and pedagogically fitting format, with sessions on December 9, 2020, and in connection with CIC’s Presidents Institute on January 3 and 7, 2021. Experienced independent college and university presidents are leading interactive sessions on critical presidential leadership topics; the program also provides opportunities for informal interactions among new presidents to facilitate the development of a community of campus leaders who share similar concerns.<br><br><em>Please note: The New Presidents Program requires pre-registration and cannot be added to My Schedule. To register, please contact Sherita Ashmon, CIC conference manager, at <a href="mailto:institute@cic.nche.edu">institute@cic.nche.edu</a>.</em><br><br><h3>Welcome, Logistics, and Introductions of Presenters</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Mary Pat Seurkamp</em></strong>, Senior Advisor and Director, CIC New Presidents Program, and President Emerita, Notre Dame of Maryland University<br></blockquote><br><h3>Introductions of Participants</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Mary-Beth A. Cooper</em></strong>, President, Springfield College (MA)<br></blockquote><br><h3>Current Presidential Leadership and Tools for Responsive and Flexible Campus Management</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Paul Hennigan</em></strong>, President, Point Park University<br><strong><em>Mary B. Marcy</em></strong>, President, Dominican University of California<br></blockquote><br><h3>Financial Fundamentals and Strategies for New Presidents, Part II</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Julee A. Gard</em></strong>, Vice President for Administration and Finance, University of St. Francis (IL)<br><strong><em>Arvid C. Johnson</em></strong>, President, University of St. Francis (IL)<br></blockquote><br><h3>Key Principles of Enrollment and Marketing</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Brian C. Ralph</em></strong>, President, William Peace University<br></blockquote><br><h3>Q&A and "Open Mic"</h3><blockquote><strong><em>Mary Pat Seurkamp</em></strong>, Senior Advisor and Director, CIC New Presidents Program, and President Emerita, Notre Dame of Maryland University</blockquote>
Keynote Address: Ethical Considerations for Presidential Leadership in a Fragile Democracy	Keynote Address: Ethical Considerations for Presidential Leadership in a Fragile Democracy	29	Danielle Allen	Plenary Session;Spouses and Partners	<h3>Ethical Considerations for Presidential Leadership in a Fragile Democracy</h3><div>The year 2020 has brought tremendous pressures on American democracy and democratic institutions. These pressures have bearing on independent colleges and universities, their commitments to educate students for engaged citizenship, and the presidents who lead them. How have the consequences of a global pandemic, widespread demands for social justice, and the fractured nature of American politics and a starkly divided polity contributed to the pressures on college presidents in the myriad decisions they must make? What ethical considerations can presidents bring to bear as they weigh complex problems with ambiguous solutions? What role can presidents play in positioning their campuses as centers for learning from and interacting with diverse populations, fostering civil discourse, preparing students for civic and democratic engagement, and educating life-long learners? Danielle Allen, a distinguished ethicist and political theorist, who has written widely about the role of leadership and governance in diverse contexts, and the social and political forces that have shaped and continue to influence our democracy, will lead a thought-provoking discussion of these salient leadership issues.</div><div><br></div><div>Moderator: <strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges<br></div>
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Sessions	Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Sessions	1		Spouses and Partners	<p>As part of the New Presidents Program, CIC is offering special sessions for spouses and partners of recently appointed presidents offered every year at the Presidents Institute. The program, led by Lynne C. Joyce, presidential spouse, Brevard College, and J. Lawrence Smith, presidential spouse, York College of Pennsylvania, and organized by CIC Vice President for Academic Programs Kerry Pannell, is premised on the understanding that presidential spouses and partners serve in a variety of capacities within and outside their institution. This year, sessions for spouses and partners of new presidents will be held on January 3 and 7, 2021.<br><br><em>Please note: The Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program requires pre-registration and cannot be added to My Schedule. To register, please contact Sherita Ashmon, CIC conference manager, at <a href="mailto:institute@cic.nche.edu">institute@cic.nche.edu</a>.</em></p>
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Sessions	Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Sessions	26		Spouses and Partners	<p>As part of the New Presidents Program, CIC is offering special sessions for spouses and partners of recently appointed presidents offered every year at the Presidents Institute. The program, led by Lynne C. Joyce, presidential spouse, Brevard College, and J. Lawrence Smith, presidential spouse, York College of Pennsylvania, and organized by CIC Vice President for Academic Programs Kerry Pannell, is premised on the understanding that presidential spouses and partners serve in a variety of capacities within and outside their institution. This year, sessions for spouses and partners of new presidents will be held on January 3 and 7, 2021.<br><br><em>Please note: The Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program requires pre-registration and cannot be added to My Schedule. To register, please contact Sherita Ashmon, CIC conference manager, at <a href="mailto:institute@cic.nche.edu">institute@cic.nche.edu</a>.</em></p>
Networking Break and Virtual Sponsor Hall	Networking Break and Virtual Sponsor Hall	109			Participants are encouraged to use this break in between Institute sessions to connect with a colleague, get together with others who share similar interests, or meet with representatives of sponsoring organizations.
Concurrent Sessions	Concurrent Sessions	139		Concurrent Session	<h3>FINISHING WELL: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION </h3>Most institutions today cannot afford a “long good-bye”: the hiatus created by a search, and then the year or two when a new president comes in to provide leadership for the next phase of institutional life. How can presidents and boards work together to design strategic plans that attract new leadership to the institution—rather than waiting for new leadership to provide vision—and that ensure ongoing institutional momentum through the transition? What can presidents do to leave their institutions smoothly and help prepare for an effective transition following their departure? The discussion will build on insights gathered from presidents who have recently made this transition or who are preparing for it.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Shirley A. Mullen</em></strong>, President, Houghton College<br><strong><em>Andrew Westmoreland</em></strong>, President, Samford University<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>HOW AGILE COLLEGES ARE NAVIGATING DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES</h3>In this interactive session, the author of <cite>Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education</cite> (2018) and <cite>The Agile College</cite> (forthcoming), will briefly review recent demographic trends and their implications for higher education. Then, drawing on interviews for his forthcoming book, he will share how proactive institutions are attacking demographic challenges through initiatives in recruitment, retention, academic programming, and consortial collaboration. Connections will be drawn to COVID-19 and its impacts. Participants will be encouraged to share their own observations about the changing composition of the market for higher education and how institutions might adapt to the changing environment.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Nathan Grawe</em></strong>, Ada M. Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of the Social Sciences, Carleton College<br></blockquote><div> <br> <h3>LEGAL LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC </h3>Two presidents and a higher education lawyer will address legal lessons learned from managing the pandemic with a view toward identifying both spring semester challenges facing presidents and solutions to those challenges. Panelists will discuss the latest developments on federal pandemic-relief legislation, COVID-related employment issues, liability questions, vaccine policies and practices, and financial considerations, such as tuition refunds. The emphasis will be on practical guidance for the spring semester and beyond.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Daniel Coleman</em></strong>, President, Birmingham-Southern College<br><strong><em>Susan Llewellyn Deniker</em></strong>, Attorney and Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC<br><strong><em>William N. Ruud</em></strong>, President, Marietta College<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE REVENUE, RETENTION, AND COMPLETION THROUGH ONLINE COURSE SHARING</h3>In response to pandemic-related disruptions that impede student progress and completion, presidents are turning to collaborative, cost-effective options to supplement the curriculum and improve the bottom-line. CIC’s new Online Course Sharing Consortium provides selective course options from trusted partners to support student success and generate revenue without investing in new IT staff or infrastructure. Learn how two presidents implemented strategies to improve academic program flexibility and student retention and completion while creating new revenue opportunities to support existing programs.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Jonathan Brand</em></strong>, President, Cornell College (IA)<br><strong><em>Mary-Beth A. Cooper</em></strong>, President, Springfield College<br><strong><em>Robert Manzer</em></strong>, Chief Academic Officer, Acadeum<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE IN DIVERSIFYING LEADERSHIP IN THE ACADEMY</h3>The events of the past year underscore the systemic inequities present in our society. Sadly, many colleges and universities continue to reflect this reality, especially in the representation of women and persons of color in leadership positions. What is the president’s role and responsibility for nurturing and supporting future generations of leaders, especially those from groups that are underrepresented in leadership in the academy? This session will draw upon three leaders who have made moving the needle and increasing diversity a top priority in their presidencies.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Damián J. Fernández</em></strong>, President, Eckerd College<br><strong><em>Marjorie Hass</em></strong>, President, Rhodes College<br><strong><em>Mary Dana Hinton</em></strong>, President, Hollins University<br><strong><em>L. Jay Lemons</em></strong>, President, Academic Search</blockquote></div>
Presidential Spouses and Partners Welcome and Address: Fostering Resilient Relationships in Uncertain Times	Presidential Spouses and Partners Welcome and Address: Fostering Resilient Relationships in Uncertain Times	146		Spouses and Partners	<div>Chronic work-related stress takes a toll on personal relationships. For independent college presidents and their spouses or partners, the pandemic creates additional tension in their marriages and families. Despite these challenges, there are effective ways for presidential couples to set achievable relationship goals, manage conflict, and improve communication. In this session, marriage counselor and communication scholar Kim Swales will discuss elements necessary to build resiliency into relationships and provide practical tools for dealing with uncertainty and the stress it creates.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Carol Bruess</em></strong>, Presidential Spouse, St. Norbert College</div><div><strong><em>John Gnadinger</em></strong>, Presidential Spouse, Carroll University (WI)<br></div><div><strong><em>Kim Swales</em></strong>, Marriage and Relationship Counselor<br></div></blockquote>
Open House and Appreciations	Open House and Appreciations	148			Join colleagues for informal interaction with CIC President Richard Ekman and CIC Board of Directors Chair Katherine Bergeron, President of Connecticut College. In conversation they will offer a few thoughts on Institute activities to date, respond to chat from participants, and express their appreciation for those who made the Presidents Institute possible, including Programs Committee and Task Force members as well as Institute Sponsors.<br><blockquote><span><strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong>, Chair, CIC Board of Directors, and President, Connecticut College</span><br><span><strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges</span><br></blockquote>
Affinity Meetings	Affinity Meetings	140			<h3>Nonmember Presidents and Member Presidents Participating in the Institute for the First Time</h3>First-time participants in the CIC Presidents Institute and presidents of institutions that are not CIC members are cordially invited to join for informal conversation and to learn more about CIC and the programs, projects, and services likely of particular interest to them.<blockquote> <span><strong><em></em></strong></span><span>Conveners: <strong><em>Roslyn Clark Artis</em></strong>, Secretary and Vice Chair for Membership, CIC Board of Directors, and President and CEO, Benedict College; <strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong>, Chair, CIC Board of Directors, and President, Connecticut College; and <strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges</span><br></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Reunion of Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission Program Participants</h3><div>Past participants in CIC’s Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission program are invited to reunite with old friends and meet new ones.</div><blockquote><div></div><div>Conveners: <strong><em>Harold V. Hartley III</em></strong>, Senior Vice President, Council of Independent Colleges, and <strong><em>Frederik Ohles</em></strong>, Senior Advisor, Council of Independent Colleges, and President Emeritus, Nebraska Wesleyan University<br></div></blockquote>
Affinity Meetings	Affinity Meetings	150			<h3>American Baptist Churches Colleges and Universities Presidents</h3><blockquote>Conveners: <strong><em>James T. (Tim) Barry</em></strong>, President, Alderson Broaddus University and <strong><em>Marilyn P. Turner-Triplett</em></strong>, Associate Executive Director for Mission Life and Leadership, American Baptist Home Mission Societies Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities</blockquote><br><h3>Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities</h3><blockquote><div>Convener: <strong><em>Gordon Bietz</em></strong>, Director of Higher Education, North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, and retired President, Southern Adventist University</div></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Mennonite Higher Education Association</h3><blockquote>Convener: <strong><em>Susan Schultz Huxman</em></strong>, President, Eastern Mennonite University</blockquote>
Plenary Address: Presidential Leadership in a Time of Market Stress	Plenary Address: Presidential Leadership in a Time of Market Stress	141	Robert Zemsky	Plenary Session;Spouses and Partners	<h3>Presidential Leadership in a Time of Market Stress</h3><div>Significant changes in the higher education marketplace are increasing the stress levels under which colleges and universities operate, leading some pundits to suggest that a number of institutions will not survive. Even before the added pressures of the Coronavirus pandemic, Robert Zemsky and his colleagues published a comprehensive analysis of the market viability of more than 2,800 undergraduate institutions and developed a predictive “stress test” model. Using four key metrics—new student enrollments, net cash price, first-year student retention, and major external funding—they assessed how likely an institution is at risk of closing or merging. What do presidents need to know about the specific stress their institutions are facing? What are the most effective options institutions have to respond to particular challenges? How can presidents use this strategic information to reposition their institutions in light of current crises? The co-author of The College Stress Test will discuss his most up-to-date thinking about the challenges independent colleges face and present a roadmap to guide presidents in their leadership in the face of present challenges.</div><div><br></div><div>Chair: <strong><em>Mary-Beth A. Cooper</em></strong>, President, Springfield College<br></div>
Networking Break and Virtual Sponsor Hall	Networking Break and Virtual Sponsor Hall	7			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this break in between Institute sessions to connect with a colleague, get together with others who share similar interests, or meet with representatives of sponsoring organizations.</p>
Concurrent Sessions	Concurrent Sessions	151		Concurrent Session	<h3>ALUMNI OUTCOMES: THE VALUE OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES</h3> Despite plenty of anecdotal evidence and testimonials from alumni of the value of an independent liberal arts education, it can be challenging—and expensive—to provide rigorous comparative data on outcomes. The inaugural Strada Education Network Alumni Outcomes Survey addresses such important outcomes as skill development, helpfulness in getting a job, and perceived drivers of value. Lead researchers will present an overview of findings, and presidents from participating institutions will discuss implications for using this information to both document strengths and identify priority areas for growth and improvement in serving students.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Stephen R. Briggs</em></strong>, President, Berry College<br><strong><em>Dave Clayton</em></strong>, Senior Vice President, Center for Consumer Insights, STRADA<br><strong><em>Lara Tiedens</em></strong>, President, Scripps College<br><strong><em>Nichole Torpey-Saboe</em></strong>, Director of Research, Center for Consumer Insights, STRADA<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>EFFECTIVE FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES DURING CURRENT CHALLENGES AND BEYOND</h3> Over the past ten months, institutional advancement and development programs have been uniquely challenged by both the pandemic and racial justice concerns. While most institutions have responded ably in the midst of these challenges, a few have responded admirably. This session will highlight the fundamental advancement strategies and approaches that have served to buoy institutions and have led to increased donor engagement and fundraising results. In addition, panelists will discuss what has been learned about donor motivation that can be applied to post-COVID advancement efforts.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Gregory Christy</em></strong>, President, Northwestern College (IA)<br><strong><em>Jason D. McNeal</em></strong>, Partner, Gonser Gerber LLP<br><strong><em>Rebecca J. Stoltzfus</em></strong>, President, Goshen College<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>INSIGHTS FROM MANAGING THE PANDEMIC TO GUIDE FUTURE DIRECTIONS</h3> The pandemic has placed enormous strains on presidential leadership, turning institutional operations upside down, jeopardizing essential revenue streams while incurring huge unanticipated costs, forcing carefully made plans to be deferred if not abandoned, and threatening the business and educational model—and perhaps viability—of the institution. Decisions had to be made in rapid succession with limited information and no prior experience to draw upon. What insights have been gained from this crucible that will help presidents lead their institutions into a still uncertain future? What lessons will guide presidential decision making in the spring and beyond?<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Andrea Chapdelaine</em></strong>, President, Hood College<br><strong><em>Kevin M. Ross</em></strong>, President, Lynn University<br><strong><em>Clarence R. Wyatt</em></strong>, President, Monmouth College (IL)<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>LESSONS LEARNED FROM MERGERS AND COLLABORATIONS</h3> Increasing market pressures are giving rise to renewed interest in or the necessity of mergers and collaborations among colleges and universities. Presenters will discuss lessons learned from their experiences, including how to become affiliation ready; prepare a buy or sell side strategy; introduce the topic to your board; explore alternatives in a quiet setting; and align merger or affiliation strategies to long-term institutional viability. The discussion will focus on the roles of the president, board chair, and board members, with attention to the challenges all parties face as well as opportunities for success.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Richard A. Beyer</em></strong>, Senior Fellow, AGB Consulting<br><strong><em>Daniel J. Elsener</em></strong>, President, Marian University (IN)<br><strong><em>Susan D. Stuebner</em></strong>, President, Colby Sawyer College<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>WHY THE PANDEMIC IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN SHARED GOVERNANCE</h3> <em>(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)</em><br>The onset of the pandemic forced many colleges and universities to demonstrate remarkable nimbleness by switching in mere days from in-person on-campus teaching to remote online instruction. Such a swift, herculean effort required extraordinary cooperation among administrators, faculty members, and staff. Was this an instance of crisis intervention in spite of shared governance, or an opportunity to recognize that shared governance conventions and policies can be adapted to make institutions more nimble going forward? Is this a time to double-down on collaboration and joint-problem solving with the faculty, or to abandoned time-honored traditions and practices?<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Steven C. Bahls</em></strong>, President, Augustana College (IL), and author, <cite>Shared Governance in Times of Change: A Practical Guide for Universities and Colleges</cite><br><strong><em>Thomas L. Hellie</em></strong>, President Emeritus, Linfield University, and Co-Director, CIC Presidents Governance Academy<br><strong><em>Michele D. Perkins</em></strong>, President, New England College, and Co-Director, CIC Presidents Governance Academy</blockquote>
Presidents Forum: Reckoning with Race on Campus	Presidents Forum: Reckoning with Race on Campus	48	Mary Schmidt Campbell; Earl Lewis; Michael C. Maxey; Elizabeth J. Stroble		<em>(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)</em><br><br>In the past year, racial conflict, protests against police brutality, and responses to the Black Lives Matter movement have mobilized students, as well as faculty and staff members. Concerns have focused on strategies to change public opinion and to motivate campus and civil authorities to take greater strides toward racial and social justice. A panel of CIC presidents with long experience in addressing these issues will be moderated by Earl Lewis, president emeritus of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The presidents-only forum will consider such issues as student protests and demands; legacies of slavery and racism on campus; diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum; diversifying campus personnel; and renaming colleges, buildings, and programs. What have presidents learned from addressing these pressing concerns? What should presidents consider as they lead their institutions to be more just, equitable, and inclusive? The forum will be interactive, providing opportunity for participating presidents to raise questions and to share insights with their colleagues.<br><br>Chair: <strong><em>Nayef H. Samhat</em></strong>, President, Wofford College<br>
Spouses and Partners Roundtable Discussions	Spouses and Partners Roundtable Discussions	137		Spouses and Partners	<h3>Connecting with Community during the Pandemic</h3><div>Strong community ties are a hallmark of successful independent colleges and universities. Robust collaboration between institutions and community groups provides opportunities to share ideas and resources for the benefit of everyone. How can institutions continue to develop partnerships with outside individuals and organizations during the pandemic? Participants are invited to bring examples of collaboration from their campuses and communities.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Carole Williams</em></strong>, Presidential Spouse, Mount St. Joseph University</div></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Fall Challenges and Spring Opportunities</h3><div>The pandemic created extraordinary challenges for all of higher education. Campus leaders, including presidential spouses and partners, adapted quickly to provide safety for students, faculty and staff members. What were some of the most difficult situations that campuses faced in the fall? In this discussion, participants will reflect on the fall and share ideas for renewal in the spring term.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Cayce McCormick</em></strong>, Presidential Spouse, Schreiner University</div></blockquote><div><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end" aria-hidden="true"><br></span></div><h3>Supporting Student Success</h3><div>Presidential spouses and partners often have strong relationships with students on campus. Involvement in co-curricular activities, presidential initiatives, and athletics have traditionally been good ways to connect with students. How can these relationships boost student retention and completion goals? Participants will share creative ways they have developed connections with students and supported success in their academic careers.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Kay Webb</em></strong>, Presidential Spouse, University of Pikeville<br></div></blockquote>
Affinity Meeting	Affinity Meeting	153			<h3>Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities</h3>Host Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College and Secretary and Vice Chair for Membership of the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) invites presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in a candid discussion of higher education issues that are of particular interest and concern to them.<br><blockquote>Convener: <strong><em>Roslyn Clark Artis</em></strong>, President and CEO, Benedict College</blockquote>
CIC Annual Business Meeting	CIC Annual Business Meeting	155			<div>Join CIC member presidents for the Annual Business Meeting. Members of the CIC Board of Directors and CIC President Richard Ekman will provide reports on CIC operations—including finances and membership dues and recognitions of Board members whose terms are ending and whose terms are beginning, and Barbara Mistick will share an update on the federal legislative and regulatory climate. Finally, Richard Ekman will offer brief reflections on his 20 years of CIC and independent higher education.</div><blockquote><div>Presiding: <strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong>, Chair, CIC Board of Directors and President, Connecticut College</div></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Approval of Minutes: Meeting of January 7, 2020</h3><div><br></div><h3>Reports on the State of CIC:</h3><blockquote><h4>President’s Report</h4><strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges<br><br><h4>Treasurer’s Report</h4><strong><em>H. James Williams</em></strong>, Treasurer, CIC Board of Directors and President, Mount St. Joseph University<br><br><h4>Approval of 2021–2022 Dues</h4><strong><em>Roslyn Clark Artis</em></strong>, Secretary and Vice Chair for Membership, CIC Board of Directors and President, Benedict College<br><br><h4>Recognition of Retiring Members of the Board of Directors</h4><strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong> and <strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong><br><br><h4>Introduction of Newly Elected Board Members</h4><div><strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong></div></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Special Reports:</h3><blockquote><h4>Federal Legislative and Regulatory Update</h4><div><strong><em>Barbara K. Mistick</em></strong>, President, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities</div><div><br></div><h4>Brief Reflections</h4><div><strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong></div></blockquote><div><br></div><h3>Announcements</h3><br><h3>Other Business</h3><div><br></div><h3>Adjournment</h3>
Concurrent Sessions	Concurrent Sessions	156		Concurrent Session	<h3>IMPROVING COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PATHWAYS</h3>How can independent colleges improve pathways to facilitate the transfer of students from community colleges? Presidents in two states that are at different stages of project development will describe the lessons they have learned from their experiences thus far. CIC obtained funding from the Teagle Foundation to support a planning process in Ohio and an implementation process in North Carolina. Given the current difficulties recruiting and retaining undergraduate students caused by demographic shifts and economic factors, the experiences of these efforts will be instructive to presidents in states throughout the country.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Clarence D. Armbrister</em></strong>, President, Johnson C. Smith University<br><strong><em>Winnie Gerhardt</em></strong>, Project Director, Ohio Community College Transfer, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges<br><strong><em>Robert C. Helmer</em></strong>, President, Baldwin Wallace University<br><strong><em>A. Hope Williams</em></strong>, President, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities</blockquote><div> <br> <h3>PRESIDENTIAL APPROACHES TO PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION</h3></div><div> <span><span><em>(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)</em></span></span><br>With a resurgence of protests and renewed focus on racial justice following the high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police, the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion have taken on greater urgency on college campuses. Presidents have a critical part to play in helping to educate and empower their students as well as to help their institutions develop more equitable and inclusive policies and practices. But what is the president’s role in these matters? And what guidance can be provided to presidents who feel ill-equipped to address the greatest challenges? Three presidential colleagues will offer insights from their experience with these issues.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Ronald Crutcher</em></strong>, President, University of Richmond<br><strong><em>Devorah Lieberman</em></strong>, President, University of La Verne<br><strong><em>Wendy E. Raymond</em></strong>, President, Haverford College<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>Presidents "Open Mic"<br></h3> <em>(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)</em><br>This forum is an opportunity to raise confidential and sensitive issues. The discussion is expected to be candid and broad ranging, from specific administrative matters to institutional structures and staffing, to dealings with the board, to the relationship between a president’s professional and personal lives. Advice will come from other participating presidents.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Danny Anderson</em></strong>, President, Trinity University (TX)<br></blockquote> <br> <h3>USING DATA TO LEVERAGE FINANCIAL AND REPUTATIONAL HEALTH DURING COVID</h3>Higher education institutions are under extreme pressure and scrutiny throughout this unprecedented academic year. Campus leaders can use easily available data to ask such questions as these: How can we improve academic program performance? Which initiatives support our long-term viability? How many students do we need to enroll next year, and how many can we actually accommodate if the pandemic continues? This session will explore how presidents can leverage easy-to-use dashboard and visualization tools during the pandemic to understand their financial health, make informed decisions, establish new institutional baselines, and take actions to achieve their goals.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Donna M. Carroll</em></strong>, President, Dominican University (IL)<br><strong><em>Paul J. McNulty</em></strong>, President, Grove City College<br><strong><em>Meghan Turjanica</em></strong>, Analytics Advisor, Jenzabar<br></blockquote> </div>
Spouses and Partners Session	Spouses and Partners Session	156		Spouses and Partners	<div><h3>Campus Conversations about Race and Inclusion</h3>Higher education leaders face demands from students to address issues of racial inequities on their campuses and in their communities. One successful strategy to generate valuable campus discussion about race brings together leading scholars, artists, practitioners, and advocates to engage students and community members. Conversations that embrace all campus constituencies develop channels of communication that ultimately lead to action. Carroll University’s chief diversity officer will provide an overview of their recent Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit. In this session, participants also will have an opportunity to exchange ideas from their campuses.<br> <blockquote> <strong><em>Vanessa Topczewski Perez</em></strong>, Associate Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Global Engagement, Carroll University (WI)<br></blockquote></div>
Presidential Plenary Panel: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive Leadership	Presidential Plenary Panel: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive Leadership	138	Roslyn Clark Artis; J. Bradley Creed; Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ; Paul C. Pribbenow	Plenary Session;Spouses and Partners	<h3>Courageous, Resilient, and Inclusive Presidential Leadership</h3><div>A panel of CIC presidents will engage in a discussion of the keys to courageous, resilient, and inclusive presidential leadership. Reflecting on the theme of the 2021 Presidents Institute, panelists will consider what it will take for their institutions to thrive in an emerging and uncertain future. Which of the strategies that presidents are employing are most successful in the leadership of institutions? How do presidents ensure diverse and inclusive campus communities and institutional practices? What difficult tradeoffs are most durable as presidents chart the best course among fiscal and operational choices? Who and what resources are presidents drawing upon to inform and guide their decision making? Now, more than ever, presidents recognize the vital need to work together to share ideas, initiatives, and lessons learned as a community of educational leaders.</div><div><br></div><div>Chair: <strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges<br></div>
Affinity Meeting	Affinity Meeting	73			<div>CIC Online Course Sharing Consortium Meeting</div>Since its inception in November 2018, the CIC Online Course Sharing Consortium has grown to include an innovative group of 217 member institutions. Member presidents will discuss institutional strategies and examples of improved revenue, retention, and student success in this interactive meeting.<br><blockquote><strong><em>Arvid Johnson</em></strong>, President, University of St. Francis<br><strong><em>Carol Schuler</em></strong>, Vice President for State Council Programs and the Online Course Sharing Consortium, Council of Independent Colleges<br></blockquote>
Affinity Meetings	Affinity Meetings	158			<h3>Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges Consortium (LCMC)</h3><blockquote><div>Convener: <strong> <em>Michael B. Alexander</em></strong>, President, Lasell College</div></blockquote><div> <br> </div><div><h3>Project Pericles Presidents</h3><blockquote>Conveners: <strong> <em>Jan Risë Liss</em></strong>, Executive Director, Project Pericles and <strong> <em>Lyle D. Roelofs</em></strong>, President, Berea College and Chair, Project Pericles Presidents’ Council<br></blockquote></div><div> <br> </div><div><h3>Reception for NetVUE Members</h3>Members of CIC’s Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) are invited to learn about recent NetVUE activities and to share lessons learned from campus programs with colleagues.<br> <blockquote>Conveners: <strong> <em>David S. Cunningham</em></strong>, Director of NetVUE, Council of Independent Colleges, <strong> <em>Harold V. Hartley III</em></strong>, Senior Vice President, Council of Independent Colleges, and <strong> <em>Lynne M. Spoelhof</em></strong>, NetVUE Program Manager, Council of Independent Colleges<br></blockquote></div><div> <br> </div> <h3>Women's College Coalition</h3><blockquote><div>Convener: <strong><em>Ann McElaney Johnson</em></strong>, Chair, Women’s College Coalition board of directors, and President, Mount Saint Mary’s University</div></blockquote>
Affinity Meeting	Affinity Meeting	161			<h3>Meeting of CIC State Council Executives</h3><div>Leaders of the CIC State Councils network will welcome Richard Ekman as part of this year’s annual meeting during the Presidents Institute. State executives will have an opportunity to discuss the unique challenges of 2020 and preparations for 2021.</div><blockquote>Conveners: <strong><em>Bill Spiker</em></strong>, President, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges and <strong><em>Carol Schuler</em></strong>, Vice President for State Council Programs, Council of Independent Colleges<br></blockquote>
Workshop: Presidential Communications and Management in Times of Crisis	Workshop: Presidential Communications and Management in Times of Crisis	163		Workshop	<em>Please note: This workshops requires pre-registration.</em><br><br><div>When college and university presidents are under pressure to respond quickly to multiple campus and community crises—including a global pandemic, racial tensions and student protests, and natural disasters—presidents need to consider how to communicate to the campus and beyond about the crisis. What are keys to effective management of both social and traditional media as well as of key relationships with the faculty and the board? What steps can presidents take to prepare themselves and their institutions? Most importantly, how should presidents think about their own role in such situations? Several presidents who have learned valuable lessons by having navigated through crises will offer their insights, joined by experts who have helped smaller private colleges manage communications in challenging situations. Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to learn approaches for effective presidential leadership during times of crisis.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Simon Barker</em></strong>, Managing Partner, Blue Moon Consulting Group</div><div><strong><em>Chris Duffy</em></strong>, Vice President, Public Relations and Principal, Goff Public</div><div><strong><em>Scott Hagan</em></strong>, President, North Central University (MN)<br></div><strong><em>Laurie Patton</em></strong>, President, Middlebury College<br></blockquote>
Workshop: Presidential Leadership for Leveraging Technology in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond	Workshop: Presidential Leadership for Leveraging Technology in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond	173		Workshop	<em>Please note: This workshops requires pre-registration.</em><br><br><div>The global pandemic forced many colleges to close their campuses and move instruction and operations online with unprecedented speed. As a result, independent colleges have had to address a range of unanticipated issues, including increased demands on technology infrastructure, continued reliance on online course delivery and educational resources, and development of new campus-wide procedures and policies for operations in the digital arena. Building on earlier strategic investments in technology and comprehensive approaches to “digital transformation,” many campus leaders have discovered additional opportunities to leverage technology in response to the pandemic. What do presidents need to know about emerging possibilities—as well as potential pitfalls—that come with the dramatic reliance on technology as a lifeline for instruction and operations going forward? What do they need to know from their campus leadership as well as from outside consultants to make well-informed decisions about often costly investments? What does digital transformation look like in 2021 and beyond? The head of EDUCAUSE, the largest higher education IT association, will lead presidents through a consideration of technology as a strategic asset and institutional differentiator. Assisting will be two knowledgeable independent college presidents along with a chief information officer.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Bryon L. Grigsby</em></strong>, President, Moravian College</div><div><strong><em>Keith W. McIntosh</em></strong>, Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer, University of Richmond</div><div><strong><em>John O'Brien</em></strong>, President and CEO, EDUCAUSE</div><div><strong><em>Stephanie Herseth Sandlin</em></strong>, President, Augustana University (SD)<br></div></blockquote>
Workshop: The College Stress Test: Assessing Risk in the Post-Coronavirus Era	Workshop: The College Stress Test: Assessing Risk in the Post-Coronavirus Era	163		Workshop	<em>Please note: This workshops requires pre-registration.</em><br><br> <div>Presidents who want a better understanding of how the pandemic, economic distress, demographic shifts, and other market stressors can affect their institutions will find this workshop invaluable. The methodology developed by Robert Zemsky, Susan Shaman, and Susan Campbell Baldridge in The College Stress Test: Tracking Institutional Futures across a Crowded Market will be explained. These metrics provide a powerful predictive tool to assess each institution’s level of market risk and potential for unfavorable outcomes, even closure. Each participating president will receive a customized report using this methodology and the institution’s own data. Insights drawn from reports across a set of institutions will be discussed. Presidents who have examined their own reports will describe what they learned from their own reports and what steps they have taken to address potential vulnerabilities or seize particular opportunities. Workshop participants will discuss case examples and consider potential strategies to address areas of vulnerability. Each president will leave with a road map to lead their institutions through the landscape of uncertain challenges and risk.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>Michael L. Fandsen</em></strong>, President, Wittenberg University</div><div><strong><em>Joseph R. Marbach</em></strong>, President, Georgian Court University</div><div><strong><em>Rachel Pauletti</em></strong>, Special Consultant, Stevens <i>Strategy</i>, LLC<br>John A. Stevens, President, <span><span>Stevens <em>Strategy</em>, LLC</span></span><br></div><div><strong><em>Michael Townsley</em></strong>, Special Consultant, Stevens <i>Strategy</i>, LLC</div></blockquote>
Open Forum: The New Normal? Independent Higher Education in a Post-COVID-19 World	Open Forum: The New Normal? Independent Higher Education in a Post-COVID-19 World	162			<div>COVID-19 has created severe near-term financial and operational challenges for colleges and universities and accelerated the impact of external demographic, economic, technological, and political trends on the higher education sector. In these uncertain times, discerning “what is next” for the higher education sector will likely require calculated speculation and some risk-taking. Looking beyond the pandemic, presidents need to evaluate what, if anything, will need to change in their institution’s operating model––including their organizational structure, portfolio of academic programs, redeployment of human resources, decision-making processes, and uses of capital––to help ensure long-term financial sustainability and fulfill the institution’s mission. To understand how institutions can adapt to the effects of the pandemic and other external forces, TIAA partnered with EY-Parthenon to analyze quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources, including interviews with campus leaders. This open forum will feature a lively review of these findings and a discussion about the potential paths forward.</div><blockquote><div><strong><em>David R. Anderson</em></strong>, President, St. Olaf College</div><div><strong><em>Christina R. Cutlip</em></strong>, Senior Managing Director, Head of Client Engagement and National Advocacy, TIAA</div><div><strong><em>Elizabeth Davis</em></strong>, President, Furman University</div><div><strong><em>John P. Marsden</em></strong>, President, Midway University<br></div></blockquote>
Roundtable Discussion Sessions	Roundtable Discussion Sessions	165			<h3>Common Issues for Presidents of “Micro-Colleges”</h3> Presidents of “micro-colleges”—800 or fewer students—will gather to discuss common issues. What are the advantages—and disadvantages—of smaller institutions? How have current challenges affected the leadership decisions facing presidents of micro colleges? What other questions can be explored together?<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em></em></strong> <strong> <em>Susan E. Henking</em></strong>, Interim President, Salem College<br></blockquote><div> <br> </div><div> <span><span> <h3>How Might the Military’s Approach to Strategic Decision Making Help College Presidents?</h3> Red Teaming is a process developed by the military to ensure that decisions are made on the basis of their merit detached from rank and personality. The University of Saint Mary has used this process to prioritize expenses and prepare four alternative budgets in anticipation of COVID-19 impact as well as to decide whether and how to build new housing, and how to fund it. The discussion will consider the pros and cons of this approach and how adaptable it might be in other higher ed settings.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Diane Steele, SCL</em></strong>, President, University of Saint Mary</blockquote></span></span><br></div><h3>How to Create a Culture of Innovation</h3> Innovation is a critical driver of growth and success, but change is hard for most people and organizations. How do presidents create a culture of innovation on campus? This discussion will consider insights on soliciting ideas, empowering champions, and securing institutional buy-in for innovation and change.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Dennis Hanno</em></strong>, President, Wheaton College (MA)<br><strong><em>Martin Roth</em></strong>, President, University of Charleston (WV)<br></blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>Prune to Grow: Academic Program Review and Restructure</h3>Many institutions must alter the size and shape of their faculty and academic program to be vibrant, relevant, and competitive in the future. Pruning of under-enrolled programs and elimination of positions held by faculty in those programs may be essential to create an opportunity for growth. These processes can be enhanced or constrained by institutional norms and governance documents. Join presidents who have led institutions through this painful but necessary process for a candid conversation about lessons learned.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Rock Jones</em></strong>, President, Ohio Wesleyan University<br><strong><em>S. Georgia Nugent</em></strong>, President, Illinois Wesleyan University<br> <div> <strong> <em>John R. Swallow</em></strong>, President, Carthage College</div></blockquote> <br> <h3>Strategic Planning during a Time of Upheaval</h3>What approaches and lessons learned can guide strategic planning during this time of significant health, economic, social, and environmental challenges? Managing the pandemic and other current challenges tends to keep campus leaders focused on daily challenges and details, with a time horizon that keeps on lengthening. But we will emerge from this time, and sharp strategy will be a leading indicator of our emergent strength. Let’s discuss how we are engaging our institutions in leading forward while managing today. <br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Cecilia M. McCormick</em></strong>, President, Elizabethtown College<br> <div> <strong> <em>Elizabeth L. Paul</em></strong>, President, Nazareth College</div></blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>The Ever-Changing Finish Line of COVID-19</h3>It is hard to make decisions when the facts change. How can presidents constantly evaluate the changing COVID-19 climate to keep their campuses safe and open? What are the markers of effective leadership when the finish-line keeps changing?<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Irma Becerra</em></strong>, President, Marymount University<br><strong><em>Eric I. Bruntmyer</em></strong>, President, Hardin-Simmons University</blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>What Can We Learn from Global Responses to the Pandemic?</h3>This session will discuss findings from a survey of presidents and other senior leaders from nearly 90 countries conducted by the International Association of University Presidents. What can we learn from presidents around the world about institutional readiness, steps taken during the initial stages of the pandemic, and plans for continued responses? What are the similarities overall and what are important differences, especially across regions of the globe?<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em></em></strong><strong><em>Fernando León García</em></strong>, President, CETYS University (Mexico)<br><strong><em>Arturo Cherbowski Lask</em></strong>, Executive Director, Santander Universidades and Universia Mexico<br></blockquote>
Roundtable Discussion Sessions	Roundtable Discussion Sessions	166			<h3>Embracing Diversities: How to Engage Race and Religion</h3>Drawing from both experience and research, the conversation will consider practical strategies that presidents can employ to help their institutions engage race and religion in ways that strengthen both the educational experience and the position of the college. Presidents who are new to or experienced in interfaith initiatives are invited to participate in the discussion.<br> <blockquote><div> <strong> <em></em></strong> <strong> <em>Donna M. Carroll</em></strong>, President, Dominican University (IL)<br><strong><em>Eboo Patel</em></strong>, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core<br></div></blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>Heightened Financial Challenges of Small Colleges and Universities Due to COVID-19</h3>While all colleges and universities are impacted by the realities of COVID-19, the experience of small colleges and universities reveals vulnerabilities. This discussion will encourage sharing of both challenges and unique solutions as we, together, navigate these realities.<br> <blockquote><div> <strong> <em>Dottie L. King</em></strong>, President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College</div></blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>Helping Students Find Their Callings</h3>The Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), administered by CIC, supports programs for vocational exploration and discernment among students at more than 250 independent colleges and universities. Learn about the ways your institution can benefit from NetVUE grants for programming and professional development opportunities.<br> <blockquote><div> <strong> <em>David S. Cunningham</em></strong>, Director of NetVUE, CIC<br><strong><em>Susan S. Hasseler</em></strong>, President, Muskingum University<br></div></blockquote><div> <br> </div><h3>Leveraging Consortial Partnerships to Address Disruption and Support Sustainability</h3>During this time of disruption and uncertainty, consortial partnerships can provide presidents a framework for sharing campus responses to the pandemic and developing shared efficiencies to address cost-cutting challenges. This roundtable will share the ways that presidents in a six-institution consortium in Pennsylvania collaborate to support both the sustainability of their institutions and the sustainability of their own emotional well-being.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Kathleen E. Harring</em></strong>, President, Muhlenberg College<br> <div> <strong> <em>Elizabeth M. Meade</em></strong>, President, Cedar Crest College</div></blockquote> <br> <h3>What Gets You through the Pandemic?</h3>What inspires you in the midst of the pandemic? How do you manage the demands on your leadership in this trying time? What gets you through? Two presidents will lead a discussion of conventional approaches—and a few new twists—to keep moving forward in a time of great uncertainty and challenge.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em>Thomas J. Botzman</em></strong>, President, University of Mount Union<br><strong><em>Christine De Vinne, OSU</em></strong>, President, Ursuline College</blockquote> <br> <h3>Strategies for Maintaining Academic Momentum during the Storm</h3>It’s possible to make progress on academic initiatives while sailing into a headwind. This discussion will focus on alternative strategies for launching new academic program initiatives, garnering faculty and board support, and anticipating the potential pushback that comes with success.<br> <blockquote> <strong> <em></em></strong><strong><em>David F. McFadden</em></strong>, President, Manchester University</blockquote>
Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	167			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this time to visit the many Institute sponsors. They also can go back and revisit session recordings or catch up on recordings of sessions and showcases missed.</p>
Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	150			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this time to visit the many Institute sponsors. They also can go back and revisit session recordings or catch up on recordings of sessions and showcases missed.</p>
Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	169			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this time to visit the many Institute sponsors. They also can go back and revisit session recordings or catch up on recordings of sessions and showcases missed.</p>
Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	170			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this time to visit the many Institute sponsors. They also can go back and revisit session recordings or catch up on recordings of sessions and showcases missed.</p>
Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	Virtual Sponsor Hall and On-Demand Content	171			<p>Participants are encouraged to use this time to visit the many Institute sponsors. They also can go back and revisit session recordings or catch up on recordings of sessions and showcases missed.</p>
Affinity Meeting	Affinity Meeting	172			<h3>CIC International Member Presidents Meeting</h3> <blockquote>Conveners: <strong><em>Celeste M. Schenck</em></strong>, President, The American University of Paris, and <strong><em>Christoph Kunkel</em></strong>, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff, CIC </blockquote>
Presidential Institute Welcome and Overview	Presidential Institute Welcome and Overview	2			<div>CIC President Richard Ekman and CIC Board of Directors Chair Katherine Bergeron, President of Connecticut College, welcome participants and open the Presidents Institute with a brief perspective on the state of independent higher education and an overview of program highlights. They also will offer suggestions on how to get the most from this virtual gathering that will help participants plan their schedules.</div><blockquote><strong><em>Katherine Bergeron</em></strong>, Chair, CIC Board of Directors, and President, Connecticut College<br><strong><em>Richard Ekman</em></strong>, President, Council of Independent Colleges<br></blockquote>

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View All Sessions

‭(Hidden)‬ Content Editor ‭[2]‬

(All times are Eastern Standard)

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

2:00–5:00 p.m.	New Presidents Program

Saturday, January 2, 2021

11:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.	CIC Board of Directors Meeting

Sunday, January 3

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.	New Presidents Program
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.	Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Sessions
1:30–4:30 p.m.	CIC Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, January 4

11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.	Welcome & Keynote Address: Danielle Allen
12:30–1:30 p.m.	Networking and Virtual Sponsor Hall
1:30–2:30 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions
1:30–2:30 p.m.	Presidential Spouses and Partners Welcome and Address
3:00–4:00 p.m.	Virtual Roundtable Discussions
4:15–4:45 p.m.	Wrap-up of the Day and Networking
4:15–4:45 p.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall

Tuesday, January 5

9:00–11:00 a.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.	Plenary Address: Robert Zemsky
12:15–1:15 p.m.	Networking and Virtual Sponsor Hall
1:15–2:15 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions
2:45–4:30 p.m.	Presidents Forum: Reckoning with Race on Campus (Presidents Only) Presidential Spouses and Partners Discussion Groups
4:45–5:00 p.m.	Wrap-up of the Day and Networking
5:00–6:00 p.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall

Wednesday, January 6

9:00–11:00 a.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall
11:00–11:45 a.m.	CIC Annual Business Meeting
12:15–1:15 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions Presidential Spouses and Partners Concurrent Sessions
1:45–2:45 p.m.	Virtual Roundtable Discussions
3:15–4:30 p.m.	Presidential Plenary Panel: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive Leadership
4:45–6:30 p.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall

Thursday, January 7

10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	New Presidents Program
11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	On-Demand Content and Virtual Sponsor Hall
1:45–3:45 p.m.	Workshops: Presidential Communications and Management in Times of Crisis The College Stress Test: Assessing Risk in the Post-Coronavirus Era Presidential Leadership for Leveraging Technology in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond
4:00–5:30 p.m.	Open Forum: The New Normal? Independent Higher Education in a Post-COVID-19 World

‭(Hidden)‬ Concurrent Sessions

Below is a preliminary list of concurrent session topics and speakers. As additional sessions are confirmed, they will be added to the website.

(New) ALUMNI OUTCOMES: THE VALUE OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

Despite plenty of anecdotal evidence and testimonials from alumni of the value of an independent liberal arts education, it can be challenging—and expensive—to provide rigorous comparative data on outcomes. The inaugural Strada Education Network Alumni Outcomes Survey addresses such important outcomes as skill development, helpfulness in getting a job, and perceived drivers of value. Lead researchers will present an overview of findings, and presidents from participating institutions will discuss implications for using this information to both document strengths and identify priority areas for growth and improvement in serving students.

Stephen R. Briggs, President, Berry College
Dave Clayton, Senior Vice President, Center for Consumer Insights, STRADA
Lara Tiedens, President, Scripps College
Nichole Torpey-Saboe, Director of Research, Center for Consumer Insights, STRADA

(New) EFFECTIVE FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES DURING CURRENT CHALLENGES AND BEYOND

Over the past ten months, institutional advancement and development programs have been uniquely challenged by both the pandemic and racial justice concerns. While most institutions have responded ably in the midst of these challenges, a few have responded admirably. This session will highlight the fundamental advancement strategies and approaches that have served to buoy institutions and have led to increased donor engagement and fundraising results. In addition, panelists will discuss what has been learned about donor motivation that can be applied to post-COVID advancement efforts.

Gregory Christy, President, Northwestern College (IA)
Jason D. McNeal, Partner, Gonser Gerber LLP
Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, President, Goshen College

FINISHING WELL: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

Most institutions today cannot afford a “long good-bye”: the hiatus created by a search, and then the year or two when a new president comes in to provide leadership for the next phase of institutional life. How can presidents and boards work together to design strategic plans that attract new leadership to the institution—rather than waiting for new leadership to provide vision—and that ensure ongoing institutional momentum through the transition? What can presidents do to leave their institutions smoothly and help prepare for an effective transition following their departure? The discussion will build on insights gathered from presidents who have recently made this transition or who are preparing for it.

Shirley A. Mullen, President, Houghton College
Andrew Westmoreland, President, Samford University

HOW AGILE COLLEGES ARE NAVIGATING DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

In this interactive session, the author of Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education (2018) and The Agile College (forthcoming), will briefly review recent demographic trends and their implications for higher education. Then, drawing on interviews for his forthcoming book, he will share how proactive institutions are attacking demographic challenges through initiatives in recruitment, retention, academic programming, and consortial collaboration. Connections will be drawn to COVID-19 and its impacts. Participants will be encouraged to share their own observations about the changing composition of the market for higher education and how institutions might adapt to the changing environment.

Nathan Grawe, Ada M. Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of the Social Sciences, Carleton College

(NEW) IMPROVING COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PATHWAYS

How can independent colleges improve pathways to facilitate the transfer of students from community colleges? Presidents in two states that are at different stages of project development will describe the lessons they have learned from their experiences thus far. CIC obtained funding from the Teagle Foundation to support a planning process in Ohio and an implementation process in North Carolina. Given the current difficulties recruiting and retaining undergraduate students caused by demographic shifts and economic factors, the experiences of these efforts will be instructive to presidents in states throughout the country.

Clarence D. Armbrister, President, Johnson C. Smith University
Winnie Gerhardt, Project Director, Ohio Community College Transfer, Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
Robert C. Helmer, President, Baldwin Wallace University
A. Hope Williams, President, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

(New) INSIGHTS FROM MANAGING THE PANDEMIC TO GUIDE FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The pandemic has placed enormous strains on presidential leadership, turning institutional operations upside down, jeopardizing essential revenue streams while incurring huge unanticipated costs, forcing carefully made plans to be deferred if not abandoned, and threatening the business and educational model—and perhaps viability—of the institution. Decisions had to be made in rapid succession with limited information and no prior experience to draw upon. What insights have been gained from this crucible that will help presidents lead their institutions into a still uncertain future? What lessons will guide presidential decision making in the spring and beyond?

Andrea Chapdelaine, President, Hood College
Kevin M. Ross, President, Lynn University
Clarence R. Wyatt, President, Monmouth College (IL)

(New) LEGAL LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC

Two presidents and a higher education lawyer will address legal lessons learned from managing the pandemic with a view toward identifying both spring semester challenges facing presidents and solutions to those challenges. Panelists will discuss the latest developments on federal pandemic-relief legislation, COVID-related employment issues, liability questions, vaccine policies and practices, and financial considerations, such as tuition refunds. The emphasis will be on practical guidance for the spring semester and beyond.

Daniel Coleman, President, Birmingham-Southern College
Susan Llewellyn Deniker, Attorney and Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
William N. Ruud, President, Marietta College

LESSONS LEARNED FROM MERGERS AND COLLABORATIONS

Increasing market pressures are giving rise to renewed interest in or the necessity of mergers and collaborations among colleges and universities. Presenters will discuss lessons learned from their experiences, including how to become affiliation ready; prepare a buy or sell side strategy; introduce the topic to your board; explore alternatives in a quiet setting; and align merger or affiliation strategies to long-term institutional viability. The discussion will focus on the roles of the president, board chair, and board members, with attention to the challenges all parties face as well as opportunities for success.

Richard A. Beyer, Senior Fellow, AGB Consulting
Daniel J. Elsener, President, Marian University (IN)
Susan D. Stuebner, President, Colby Sawyer College

(New) PRESIDENTS “OPEN MIC”

(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents)
This forum is an opportunity to raise confidential and sensitive issues. The discussion is expected to be candid and broad ranging, from specific administrative matters to institutional structures and staffing, to dealings with the board, to the relationship between a president’s professional and personal lives. Advice will come from other participating presidents.

Danny J. Anderson, President, Trinity University (TX)

PRESIDENTIAL APPROACHES TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

With a resurgence of protests and renewed focus on racial justice following the high-profile deaths of African Americans at the hands of the police, the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion have taken on greater urgency on college campuses. Presidents have a critical part to play in helping to educate and empower their students as well as to help their institutions develop more equitable and inclusive policies and practices. But what is the president’s role in these matters? And what guidance can be provided to presidents who feel ill-equipped to address the greatest challenges? Three presidential colleagues will offer insights from their experience with these issues.

Ronald Crutcher, President, University of Richmond
Devorah Lieberman, President, University of La Verne
Wendy E. Raymond, President, Haverford College

(New) STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE REVENUE, RETENTION, AND COMPLETION THROUGH ONLINE COURSE SHARING

In response to pandemic-related disruptions that impede student progress and completion, presidents are turning to collaborative, cost-effective options to supplement the curriculum and improve the bottom-line. CIC’s new Online Course Sharing Consortium provides selective course options from trusted partners to support student success and generate revenue without investing in new IT staff or infrastructure. Learn how two presidents implemented strategies to improve academic program flexibility and student retention and completion while creating new revenue opportunities to support existing programs.

Jonathan Brand, President, Cornell College (IA)
Mary-Beth A. Cooper, President, Springfield College
Robert Manzer, Chief Academic Officer, Acadeum

THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE IN DIVERSIFYING LEADERSHIP IN THE ACADEMY

The events of the past year underscore the systemic inequities present in our society. Sadly, many colleges and universities continue to reflect this reality, especially in the representation of women and persons of color in leadership positions. What is the president’s role and responsibility for nurturing and supporting future generations of leaders, especially those from groups that are underrepresented in leadership in the academy? This session will draw upon three leaders who have made moving the needle and increasing diversity a top priority in their presidencies.

Damián J. Fernández, President, Eckerd College
Marjorie Hass, President, Rhodes College
Mary Dana Hinton, President, Hollins University
L. Jay Lemons, President, Academic Search

(New) USING DATA TO LEVERAGE FINANCIAL AND REPUTATIONAL HEALTH DURING COVID

Higher education institutions are under extreme pressure and scrutiny throughout this unprecedented academic year. Campus leaders can use easily available data to ask such questions as these: How can we improve academic program performance? Which initiatives support our long-term viability? How many students do we need to enroll next year, and how many can we actually accommodate if the pandemic continues? This session will explore how presidents can leverage easy-to-use dashboard and visualization tools during the pandemic to understand their financial health, make informed decisions, establish new institutional baselines, and take actions to achieve their goals.

Donna M. Carroll, President, Dominican University (IL)
Paul J. McNulty, President, Grove City College
Meghan Turjanica, Analytics Advisor, Jenzabar

WHY THE PANDEMIC IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN SHARED GOVERNANCE

The onset of the pandemic forced many colleges and universities to demonstrate remarkable nimbleness by switching in mere days from in-person on-campus teaching to remote online instruction. Such a swift, herculean effort required extraordinary cooperation among administrators, faculty members, and staff. Was this an instance of crisis intervention in spite of shared governance, or an opportunity to recognize that shared governance conventions and policies can be adapted to make institutions more nimble going forward? Is this a time to double-down on collaboration and joint-problem solving with the faculty, or to abandoned time-honored traditions and practices?

Steven C. Bahls, President, Augustana College, and author, Shared Governance in Times of Change: A Practical Guide for Universities and Colleges
Thomas L. Hellie, President Emeritus, Linfield University, and Co-Director, CIC Presidents Governance Academy
Michele D. Perkins, President, New England College, and Co-Director, CIC Presidents Governance Academy

‭(Hidden)‬ Workshops

JANUARY 7

1:45–3:45 p.m. EST

Please note that advance registration is required for all optional workshops, as space is limited. Presidential spouses and partners may register on a space-available basis.

PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS and Management IN TIMES OF CRISIS

When college and university presidents are under pressure to respond quickly to multiple campus and community crises—including a global pandemic, racial tensions and student protests, and natural disasters—presidents need to consider how to communicate to the campus and beyond about the crisis. What are keys to effective management of both social and traditional media as well as of key relationships with the faculty and the board? What steps can presidents take to prepare themselves and their institutions? Most importantly, how should presidents think about their own role in such situations? Several presidents who have learned valuable lessons by having navigated through crises will offer their insights, joined by experts who have helped smaller private colleges manage communications in challenging situations. Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to learn approaches for effective presidential leadership during times of crisis.

Simon Barker, Managing Partner, Blue Moon Consulting Group
Chris Duffy, Vice President, Public Relations and Principal, Goff Public
Scott Hagan, President, North Central University (MN)
Laurie Patton, President, Middlebury College

Presidential Leadership for Leveraging Technology in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond

The global pandemic forced many colleges to close their campuses and move instruction and operations online with unprecedented speed. As a result, independent colleges have had to address a range of unanticipated issues, including increased demands on technology infrastructure, continued reliance on online course delivery and educational resources, and development of new campus-wide procedures and policies for operations in the digital arena. Building on earlier strategic investments in technology and comprehensive approaches to “digital transformation,” many campus leaders have discovered additional opportunities to leverage technology in response to the pandemic. What do presidents need to know about emerging possibilities—as well as potential pitfalls—that come with the dramatic reliance on technology as a lifeline for instruction and operations going forward? What do they need to know from their campus leadership as well as from outside consultants to make well-informed decisions about often costly investments? What does digital transformation look like in 2021 and beyond? The head of EDUCAUSE, the largest higher education IT association, will lead presidents through a consideration of technology as a strategic asset and institutional differentiator. Assisting will be two knowledgeable independent college presidents along with a chief information officer.

Bryon L. Grigsby, President, Moravian College
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, President, Augustana University (SD)
Keith W. McIntosh, Chief Information Officer, University of Richmond
John O'Brien, President and CEO, EDUCAUSE

THE COLLEGE STRESS TEST: ASSESSING RISK IN THE POST-CORONAVIRUS ERA

Presidents who want a better understanding of how the pandemic, economic distress, demographic shifts, and other market stressors can affect their institutions will find this workshop invaluable. The methodology developed by Robert Zemsky, Susan Shaman, and Susan Campbell Baldridge in The College Stress Test: Tracking Institutional Futures across a Crowded Market will be explained. These metrics provide a powerful predictive tool to assess each institution’s level of market risk and potential for unfavorable outcomes, even closure. Each participating president will receive a customized report using this methodology and the institution’s own data. Insights drawn from reports across a set of institutions will be discussed. Presidents who have examined their own reports will describe what they learned from their own reports and what steps they have taken to address potential vulnerabilities or seize particular opportunities. Workshop participants will discuss case examples and consider potential strategies to address areas of vulnerability. Each president will leave with a road map to lead their institutions through the landscape of uncertain challenges and risk.

Michael L. Frandsen, President, Wittenberg University
Joseph R. Marbach, President, Georgian Court University
Rachel Pauletti, Special Consultant, Stevens Strategy, LLC
Michael Townsley, Senior Consultant, Stevens Strategy, LLC

‭(Hidden)‬ Roundtable Discussion Sessions

Monday, January 4

3:00–4:00 p.m. EST

How to Create a Culture of Innovation

Innovation is a critical driver of growth and success, but change is hard for most people and organizations. How do presidents create a culture of innovation on campus? This discussion will consider insights on soliciting ideas, empowering champions, and securing institutional buy-in for innovation and change.

Dennis Hanno, President, Wheaton College (MA)
Martin Roth, President, University of Charleston (WV)

Prune to Grow: Academic Program Review and Restructure

Many institutions must alter the size and shape of their faculty and academic program to be vibrant, relevant, and competitive in the future. Pruning of under-enrolled programs and elimination of positions held by faculty in those programs may be essential to create an opportunity for growth. These processes can be enhanced or constrained by institutional norms and governance documents. Join presidents who have led institutions through this painful but necessary process for a candid conversation about lessons learned.

Rock Jones, President, Ohio Wesleyan University
S. Georgia Nugent, President, Illinois Wesleyan University

John R. Swallow, President, Carthage College

Strategic Planning during a Time of Upheaval

What approaches and lessons learned can guide strategic planning during this time of significant health, economic, social, and environmental challenges? Managing the pandemic and other current challenges tends to keep campus leaders focused on daily challenges and details, with a time horizon that keeps on lengthening. But we will emerge from this time, and sharp strategy will be a leading indicator of our emergent strength. Let’s discuss how we are engaging our institutions in leading forward while managing today.

Cecilia M. McCormick, President, Elizabethtown College

Elizabeth L. Paul, President, Nazareth College

The Ever-Changing Finish Line of COVID-19

It is hard to make decisions when the facts change. How can presidents constantly evaluate the changing COVID-19 climate to keep their campuses safe and open? What are the markers of effective leadership when the finish-line keeps changing?

Irma Becerra, President, Marymount University
Eric I. Bruntmyer, President, Hardin-Simmons University

Wednesday, January 6

1:45–2:45 p.m. EST

Heightened Financial Challenges of Small Colleges and Universities Due to COVID-19

While all colleges and universities are impacted by the realities of COVID-19, the experience of small colleges and universities reveals vulnerabilities. This discussion will encourage sharing of both challenges and unique solutions as we, together, navigate these realities.

Dottie L. King, President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Helping Students Find Their Callings

The Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), administered by CIC, supports programs for vocational exploration and discernment among students at more than 250 independent colleges and universities. Learn about the ways your institution can benefit from NetVUE grants for programming and professional development opportunities.

David S. Cunningham, Director of NetVUE, CIC

Leveraging Consortial Partnerships to Address Disruption and Support Sustainability

During this time of disruption and uncertainty, consortial partnerships can provide presidents a framework for sharing campus responses to the pandemic and developing shared efficiencies to address cost-cutting challenges. This roundtable will share the ways that presidents in a six-institution consortium in Pennsylvania collaborate to support both the sustainability of their institutions and the sustainability of their own emotional well-being.

Kathleen E. Harring, President, Muhlenberg College

Elizabeth Martin Meade, President, Cedar Crest College

What Gets You through the Pandemic?

What inspires you in the midst of the pandemic? How do you manage the demands on your leadership in this trying time? What gets you through? Two presidents will lead a discussion of conventional approaches—and a few new twists—to keep moving forward in a time of great uncertainty and challenge.

Thomas J. Botzman, President, University of Mount Union
Christine De Vinne, OSU, President, Ursuline College

Additional Program Features

Additional program features will be added to the CIC website as they are confirmed.

2021 Awards

Philanthropy Awards Recognition

CIC will honor generous contributors to private higher education with its annual Awards for Philanthropy.

Award for Philanthropy (Individual): Henry B. and Patricia Bush Tippie
Award for Philanthropy (Organization): The Duke Endowment

Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service

CIC will recognize Earl Lewis as the recipient of the 2021 Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service.

VIRTUAL INSTITUTE FEATURES

The virtual 2021 Presidents Institute program also will feature:

Daily Online Guides and Tutorials—To help you get the most out of the Virtual Presidents Institute
On-Demand Content—Designated times to view pre-recorded content or watch sessions you may have missed
Virtual Sponsor Hall—Designated times to visit and engage in direct conversation with representatives of Institute sponsor organizations
Virtual Roundtable Discussions—Lots of opportunities for presidents to gather in smaller groups to discuss topics of common interest
Sponsor Showcase Sessions—Short, informative presentations to feature the latest offerings from industry-leading experts
President-to-President Meetings—The ability to schedule one-on-one or small group meetings with other presidents
Meetings of Affiliated Organizations and Affinity Groups—To connect with colleagues who share similar interests
Inspirational Interludes—Brief performances by member presidents who generously share their talents to provide moments of inspiration and reflection.
Access to Institute Archives—Recorded sessions and curated materials will be accessible to registered participants for the rest of the year

‭(Hidden)‬ Additional Program Features

Additional program features will be added to the CIC website as they are confirmed.

OTHER EVENTS

(All times are Eastern Standard)

Philanthropy Awards Recognition

CIC will honor generous contributors to private higher education with its annual Awards for Philanthropy.

Award for Philanthropy (Individual): Henry B. and Patricia Bush Tippie
Award for Philanthropy (Organization): The Duke Endowment

Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service

CIC will recognize Earl Lewis as the recipient of the 2021 Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service during the Open Forum on Reckoning with Race on Campus.

CIC Annual Business Meeting

Wednesday, January 6, 11:00–11:45 a.m.
CIC encourages all member presidents to participate in the Annual Business Meeting.

OPEN FORUM: THE NEW NORMAL? INDEPENDENT HIGHER EDUCATION IN A POST-COVID-19 WORLD

Thursday, January 7, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

COVID-19 has created severe near-term financial and operational challenges for colleges and universities and accelerated the impact of external demographic, economic, technological, and political trends on the higher education sector. In these uncertain times, discerning “what is next” for the higher education sector will likely require calculated speculation and some risk-taking. Looking beyond the pandemic, presidents need to evaluate what, if anything, will need to change in their institution’s operating model––including their organizational structure, portfolio of academic programs, redeployment of human resources, decision-making processes, and uses of capital––to help ensure long-term financial sustainability and fulfill the institution’s mission. To understand how institutions can adapt to the effects of the pandemic and other external forces, TIAA partnered with EY-Parthenon to analyze quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources, including interviews with campus leaders. This open forum will feature a lively review of these findings and a discussion about the potential paths forward.

David R. Anderson, President, St. Olaf College
Christina R. Cutlip, Senior Managing Director, Head of Client Engagement and National Advocacy, TIAA
Elizabeth Davis, President, Furman University
John P. Marsden, President, Midway University

VIRTUAL INSTITUTE FEATURES

The virtual 2021 Presidents Institute program also will feature:

Daily Online Guides and Tutorials—To help you get the most out of the Virtual Presidents Institute
On-Demand Content—Designated times to view pre-recorded content or watch sessions you may have missed
Virtual Sponsor Hall—Designated times to visit and engage in direct conversation with representatives of Institute sponsor organizations
Virtual Roundtable Discussions—Lots of opportunities for presidents to gather in smaller groups to discuss topics of common interest
Sponsor Showcase Sessions—Short, informative presentations to feature the latest offerings from industry-leading experts
President-to-President Meetings—The ability to schedule one-on-one or small group meetings with other presidents
Meetings of Affiliated Organizations and Affinity Groups—To connect with colleagues who share similar interests
Access to Institute Archives—Recorded sessions and curated materials will be accessible to registered participants for the rest of the year

MEETINGS OF AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER GROUPS

Executive Officers of CIC State Council Organizations
Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) Presidents
Nonmember Presidents and Member Presidents Participating in the Institute for the First Time
Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission Program Past Participants
Presidents of International Colleges and Universities
Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Presidents of CIC Online Course Sharing Consortium Participating Institutions

Program for Presidential Spouses and Partners

Developed with the advice of an advisory group of experienced presidential spouses and partners, the Program for Presidential Spouses and Partners runs concurrently with the program for presidents and provides opportunities to share information and advice. Spouses and partners of presidents also are welcome to participate in sessions for presidents, unless otherwise noted.

New Presidents Program

Wednesday, December 9, 2:00–5:00 p.m. EST
Sunday, January 3, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. EST
Thursday, January 7, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST

Since 1989, CIC’s New Presidents Program—the oldest of the programs serving new chief executives—has provided the “need to know” tools and the counsel that will keep a young presidency on a smooth course. While specific topics and presenters have naturally varied, constant has been the format of an intensive and interactive two-day workshop preceding CIC’s Presidents Institute in early January. As higher education faces the consequences of a global pandemic and widespread demands for social justice, just as with CIC’s Presidents Institute, this year the New Presidents Program will be offered in a virtual, sequential, and pedagogically fitting format for the times we all work and live in.

On Wednesday, December 9 (2:00–5:00 p.m. EST), Sunday, January 3 (11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. EST), and Thursday, January 7 (10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST), experienced independent college and university presidents, many former New Presidents Program participants themselves, will lead interactive virtual sessions on critical presidential leadership topics, fully focused on helping new presidents of independent colleges and universities succeed during their first or second year of service. The program also will provide opportunities for more informal conversations and interaction among new presidents in order to facilitate the development of a community of campus leaders who share similar concerns to confidentially consult with in the months and years ahead.

Interested presidents in their first or second year and president-elects can review the preliminary program agenda at the New Presidents Program web page.

The registration fee for the New Presidents Program, for all three sessions, is $250 for CIC member and member-eligible presidents. The registration fee for spouses and partners of new presidents for sessions on January 3 and 7 is $150. Please pre-register for this program when you complete your Presidents Institute registration. To add this program to an already completed registration, please contact Sherita C. Ashmon, CIC conference manager, by email at sashmon@cic.nche.edu or by phone at (202) 552-8981.

SPOUSES AND PARTNERS OF NEW PRESIDENTS

As part of the New Presidents Program, CIC is offering special sessions for spouses and partners of recently appointed presidents. The program, led by Lynne C. Joyce, presidential spouse, Brevard College, and J. Lawrence Smith, presidential spouse, York College of Pennsylvania, and organized by CIC Vice President for Academic Programs Kerry Pannell, is premised on the understanding that presidential spouses and partners serve in a variety of capacities within and outside their institution. Some will continue employment in professions away from campus and others will focus more on service to the campus community. The program encourages spouses and partners to network with others who are new to the role and to consider, intentionally, how to define the role to fit themselves, their individual campus situations, and the local impact of the pandemic and social and political activism.

Presidential Leadership: Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive

About the Institute

Virtual Format

Featured Speakers

Danielle Allen

Sessions:

Robert Zemsky

Sessions:

Mary Schmidt Campbell

Sessions:

Michael C. Maxey

Sessions:

Elizabeth J. Stroble

Sessions:

Earl Lewis

Sessions:

Roslyn Clark Artis

Sessions:

J. Bradley Creed

Sessions:

Joan M. Lescinski, CSJ

Sessions:

Paul C. Pribbenow

Sessions:

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​January 4

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: DANIELLE ALLEN

Ethical Considerations for Presidential Leadership in a Fragile Democracy

January 5

PLENARY ADDRESS: ROBERT ZEMSKY

Presidential Leadership in a Time of Market Stress

January 5

Presidents Forum

Reckoning with Race on Campus

JANUARY 6

PRESIDENTIAL PLENARY PANEL

Courageous, Resilient, and Inclusive Presidential Leadership

Schedule

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​Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Saturday, January 2, 2021

Sunday, January 3

Monday, January 4

Tuesday, January 5

Wednesday, January 6

Thursday, January 7

‭(Hidden)‬ Concurrent Sessions

(New) ALUMNI OUTCOMES: THE VALUE OF INDEPENDENT COLLEGES

(New) EFFECTIVE FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES DURING CURRENT CHALLENGES AND BEYOND

FINISHING WELL: HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

HOW AGILE COLLEGES ARE NAVIGATING DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

(NEW) IMPROVING COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER PATHWAYS

(New) INSIGHTS FROM MANAGING THE PANDEMIC TO GUIDE FUTURE DIRECTIONS

(New) LEGAL LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC

LESSONS LEARNED FROM MERGERS AND COLLABORATIONS

(New) PRESIDENTS “OPEN MIC”

PRESIDENTIAL APPROACHES TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

(New) STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE REVENUE, RETENTION, AND COMPLETION THROUGH ONLINE COURSE SHARING

THE PRESIDENT’S ROLE IN DIVERSIFYING LEADERSHIP IN THE ACADEMY

(New) USING DATA TO LEVERAGE FINANCIAL AND REPUTATIONAL HEALTH DURING COVID

WHY THE PANDEMIC IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN SHARED GOVERNANCE

‭(Hidden)‬ Workshops

​JANUARY 7

PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS and Management IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Presidential Leadership for Leveraging Technology in the Time of COVID-19 and Beyond

THE COLLEGE STRESS TEST: ASSESSING RISK IN THE POST-CORONAVIRUS ERA

‭(Hidden)‬ Roundtable Discussion Sessions

Monday, January 4

How to Create a Culture of Innovation

Prune to Grow: Academic Program Review and Restructure

Strategic Planning during a Time of Upheaval

The Ever-Changing Finish Line of COVID-19

Wednesday, January 6

Heightened Financial Challenges of Small Colleges and Universities Due to COVID-19

Helping Students Find Their Callings

Leveraging Consortial Partnerships to Address Disruption and Support Sustainability

What Gets You through the Pandemic?

Additional Program Features

2021 Awards

Philanthropy Awards Recognition

January 4

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

JANUARY 7