Workshops for College and University Leaders

Is the future of your institution secure? CIC member presidents report that sustainability is the most pressing concern at many independent colleges and universities, especially in the face of shifting demographics and economic uncertainty. Presidents are aware that to secure their institution’s future, they need to explore new options. But they do not always know the best way to align their institution’s current mission with new business models, or to identify peer-tested innovations, or to engage the faculty and other campus constituents in potentially disruptive change efforts.

CIC held a series of free workshops designed to help member colleges and universities prepare for the future more effectively. The half-day workshops brought together teams of presidents, senior administrators, and faculty leaders to explore key trends in higher education and society, the urgent pressures facing individual colleges and universities, and potential solutions. Eight workshops were offered at locations around the country between September 2016 and April 2017.

The workshops met from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. They were led by host institution presidents, CIC senior staff, and other presenters with research expertise or practical experience with innovation at independent colleges and universities.

Map of United State with eight flags marking locatin of each workshop

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The workshops built upon the wealth of resources and data generated by CIC's Project on the Future of Independent Higher Education and CIC's award-winning public information campaign, Securing America's Future: The Power of Liberal Arts Education. The workshops were supported by the Endeavor Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Lumina Foundation for Education, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Securing America’s Future: The Power of Liberal Arts Education

CIC announced its Public Information Campaign for the Liberal Arts and Liberal Arts Colleges in November 2012. The national, multi-pronged initiative directs attention to the compelling evidence that smaller independent colleges produce graduates who are among the best prepared for success in their personal, career, and community lives.

Learn more about the Campaign for the Liberal Arts and Liberal Arts Colleges.

Project on the Future of Independent Higher Education

Predictions about the future of higher education by politicians, journalists, and policy analysts often disregard the effectiveness of traditional colleges and universities. This project, however, is designed to explore fresh approaches to higher education, new college business models, and potentially disruptive changes to American society and education along with the traditional qualities and missions of independent liberal arts colleges that are essential to the success of such institutions.

Learn more about the Project on the Future of Independent Higher Education.

Research Reports

In-depth analyses of student outcomes and institutional effectiveness, designed to help CIC members explore the essential and negotiable elements of the liberal arts educational experience at independent colleges and universities.

Innovation and the Independent College: Examples from the Sector

(March 2018)

The Financial Resilience of Independent Colleges and Universities

(August 2017)

Utilizing Independent Colleges and Universities to Fulfill States’ College Degree Attainment Goals

(April 2017)

Changes in Faculty Composition at Independent Colleges

(June 2016)

Strategic Change and Innovation in Independent Colleges: Nine Mission-Driven Campuses

(April 2016)

The Cost-Effectiveness of Undergraduate Education at Private Nondoctoral Colleges and Universities

(September 2015)

Mission-Driven Innovation: An Empirical Study of Adaptation and Change among Independent Colleges

(July 2015)

Independent Colleges and Student Engagement: Descriptive Analysis by Institutional Type

(June 2015)

Expanding Access and Opportunity: How Small and Mid-Sized Independent Colleges Serve First-Generation and Low-Income Students

(March 2015)

Strengthening the STEM Pipeline: The Contributions of Small and Mid-Sized Independent Colleges

(March 2014)

Research Briefs

A series of short papers on innovations in pedagogy and curriculum that may enhance student learning at independent colleges and universities. Each paper includes a review of recent literature, examples of how the innovation has been adopted by CIC members, discussion questions for further exploration, and recommendations for additional reading.

Research Brief Compilation

Research Briefs on Teaching and Learning at Independent Colleges and Universities (2015–2016)

Individual Research Briefs

Research Brief 5: High-Tech or High-Touch? Online Learning and Independent Higher Education

(February 2016)

Research Brief 4: Living-Learning Communities and Independent Higher Education

(October 2015)

Research Brief 3: Career Preparation and the Liberal Arts

(July 2015)

Research Brief 2: Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Education

(May 2015)

Research Brief 1: Competency-Based Education

(April 2015)

Contact Information

For more information about Securing America's Future, please contact Philip M. Katz, CIC director of projects, at pkatz@cic.nche.edu or (202) 466-7230.