Breakout Sessions
The 2026 International Forum features an extensive list of breakout sessions across ten categories. To learn more about each breakout session, select a category below to view details of all the sessions.
Forum Stage
Valuable and timely topics that are crucial to the strengthening, flourishing and advancement of Christian higher education. Sessions will cover aspects important to all campus leaders, ranging from presidents to cabinet-level positions, faculty and more.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Life, relationships and the world are complex. How can a trip to Israel taken shortly after the October 7 attack, with a politically and religiously diverse group provide an example or template for how to have difficult conversations with people entrenched in positions, whether political, theological, or interpersonal, that seem in opposition to your own? Months after the terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7th, 2023, Simon Greer of Courageous Conversations (Jewish bridge-builder), Tim Muehlhoff of Biola University (Christian bridge-builder) and Saad Solomon (Muslim bridge-builder) spent 10 days in a warzone. Though coming from deeply different religious and geopolitical viewpoints, they came together to reflect on perspective-taking, listening and empathy amongst the three of them. What lessons can be gleaned from their experience to be used in a college setting where conversations over Charlie Kirk, pronoun usage, LGBTQ+ and supporting Israel or Palestine can often feel like a warzone?Speakers: Tim Muehlhoff, Senior Director of the Winsome Conviction Project, Biola University and Simon Greer, Founder, Bridging the Gap and Saad Solomon, National Director of TimeDone, Alliance for Safety and Justice
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
In a time when many Christian universities are navigating mounting challenges, from enrollment declines and financial instability to cultural shifts and internal fatigue, many are seeking a path toward institutional renewal. This session will provide campus leaders with a process for designing and executing a structured, accountable plan to reposition their institutions for long-term sustainability. Along the way, we will also explore how God uses our work to do some of his most important work in us. This process is not just the sustainability of the university, but also about shaping us into the fullness of the humanity he has for us. Presenters will share how Seattle Pacific University navigated a 30% revenue loss over three years, moving from a post-COVID crisis into decisive action and institutional repositioning. Drawing from a proven framework developed by former C-Suite executive Barry Rowan, the session will unpack how strategic workstreams, scenario planning, and disciplined accountability helped SPU make difficult but necessary decisions—all while remaining anchored in its Christian mission. This session does not present a finished story but shares the critical first phase of a continuing journey. The presenters will offer lessons learned, key decisions, and how a simple starting point, a “table of contents” for change, ignited the workstreams behind a new agile strategic plan.
Speakers: Deana Porterfield, President, Seattle Pacific University and Barry Rowan, Speaker and Author
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
In the early 2010s, Friends University was an institution struggling with mission drift, financial mismanagement, poor planning, and ineffective leadership. A critical turning point occurred a decade ago when the Board of Trustees reaffirmed the Christian mission and hired a new President who shared their vision. A recent reflective self-study identified ten key elements of the faith-driven turnaround, consistent with MacTaggert's Turnaround Circle, which charted a path to revitalization. This presentation will describe recommendations to inspire other institutions struggling with mission and/or leadership challenges and provide opportunities to listen to the stories of peers with similar or different experiences.
Speakers: Amy Carey, President, Friends University and Brent Yoder, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Friends University
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
In recent years, an increasing number of CCCU campuses have launched or expanded efforts to promote constructive dialogue on campus. In this session you will hear from leaders of institutions that have successfully launched curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities of this sort. Session leaders will highlight effective practices and showcase free and low cost resources that can be accessed to promote these efforts. Finally, the session will include advice on seeking grant funds to support constructive dialogue efforts on campus.
Speakers: Michael Murray, President, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and Tim Muehlhoff, Director, Winsome Conviction Project, Biola University and Kevin Brown, Vice President for Student Development & Success and Chief Bridge Building Officer, Spring Arbor University and Simon Greer, Founder, Bridging The Gap
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Saturday, January 31, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Leadership is forged in crucibles—moments of pressure, conflict, uncertainty, or failure that reveal what truly shapes leaders over time. In this panel conversation, Presidents Gayle D. Beebe, Deana Porterfield, Michael Lindsay, and Barry Corey reflect on themes from President Gayle D. Beebe’s book, The Crucibles That Shape Us, sharing insights from their leadership journeys. Drawing on lived experience, they discuss how crucible moments refine character, clarify calling, and form resilient leaders who lead with wisdom, humility, and hope amid complexity and change.
Speakers: Gayle D. Beebe, President, Westmont College and Barry Corey, President, Biola University and Michael Lindsay, President, Taylor University, and Deana Porterfield, President, Seattle Pacific University -
Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Institutions increasingly rely on adjunct faculty members, yet many adjuncts can feel disconnected from their institution’s community and mission. Recently, the Murdock Charitable Trust supported a three-year project in the Pacific Northwest aimed at improving college and university preparation and support of adjuncts. This session will accent the main discoveries, emphasizing how the relationship between institutions and adjuncts can provide a greater partnership. The presenters will highlight initiatives at several campuses—as well as recent qualitative research that offers insights about what gives adjuncts a sense of belonging and how campuses can better equip them for their work and careers.
Speakers: Jeff Clawson, Assistant Vice President for Membership, Grants and Research, CCCU and Erin Johnson and Stan Rosenberg, Vice President for Research and Scholarship, CCCU and Mark Sargent
Leading Faithfully in a Shifting Landscape
Explore how Christian higher education leaders can remain rooted in biblical convictions while navigating rapid cultural, societal, and institutional change, leading with conviction, agility, and hope—anchored in Christ—so institutions can thrive and bear witness in a rapidly changing world.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Leadership transitions are defining moments for Christian colleges and universities. In this practical and interactive session, CarterBaldwin Executive Search partners Andrea McDaniel Smith and Bill Peterson will share best practices for preparing, launching, and completing executive searches that result in transformational leaders. Drawing on decades of experience and insights from Nathan Hatch’s The Gift of Transformative Leaders and Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player, the session will explore how humility, vision, and team dynamics shape successful leadership. Attendees will also gain clarity on when to engage a search firm. A live Q&A will address real-time leadership challenges.
Speakers: Bill Peterson, Partner, CarterBaldwin Executive Search and Andrea McDaniel Smith, Partner, CarterBaldwin Executive Search
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
In the face of rapid presidential turnover and shifting societal expectations, women remain underrepresented in Christian higher ed presidencies, despite earning most graduate degrees. This session examines CCCU-wide leadership data and original research on millennial women who aspire to lead. We’ll examine their motivations, preparation, and the barriers they face, while offering actionable strategies for campus leaders to foster inclusion through mentorship, developmental relationships, and faith-centered leadership. Participants will leave equipped to cultivate a Christ-centered leadership pipeline—one that prepares the next generation of women to lead with conviction, clarity, and courage in a rapidly changing landscape.
Speaker: Jamie Sanfilippo, Dean, Huntington University Arizona
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
“H. Stewart Gray was a treasurer in the best sense of the word.” So reads the book jacket of The Treasurer, Barry Corey's January 2025 biography of Herbert Stewart Gray. Mr. Gray and his wife, Leta, had a profound impact on evangelicalism, including CCCU members Gordon College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His life story is an inspiring and uplifting example for everyone who wants to lead from the center. President Corey and President Hoag will discuss how these lessons can be an encouragement to each of us engaged in Christian higher education leadership.
Speakers: Dan Campbell, Partner, CapinCrouse and Barry Corey, President, Biola University and David Hoag, President, CCCU
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
One of the greatest threats to our society is a rising tide of division, polarization and violence. A new generation of leaders are needed to show our nation a better path. To that end, Anderson University (SC) is inviting CCCU schools nationally to partner in a new summer program that teaches students to be agents of healing in our world through biblical principles rooted in the teaching of Dr. King. Endorsed by Ambassador Andrew Young, the highly successful pilot version involved four CCCU schools and five HBCU schools whose students learned and practiced Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community.
Speakers: Matthew Daniels, Distinguished University Professor of Law, Political Science and Human Rights, Anderson University, SC and James Noble, Vice President for Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family, Anderson University, SC and Aaron Duckworth, Director, Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family, Anderson University, SC
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Co-Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron is a lawyer with over two decades of experience assisting institutions to complete a wide range of complex, strategic initiatives. During this session, he will begin by suggesting a strategic planning framework for institutional leaders evaluating options for strengthening their institutions during trying times. He then will discuss in greater detail successful educational partnerships and institutional mergers he and his colleagues have seen in recent years.
Speaker: Aaron Lacey, Partner and Co-Chair, Thompson Coburn’s Higher Education Practice
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Senior leaders are often invited to mentor college students or early-career colleagues, yet without clear structure, these relationships can lack depth and sustainability. Drawing on a year-long mentorship between Shirley Hoogstra and Sarah Campbell, this session offers a proven framework for mentee preparation, including clear expectations, meeting templates, and organizational tools. Topics during the year include crisis management, leading up, authentic and compassionate leadership, and navigating faith in leadership, to name a few. Participants will leave equipped with a practical tool to develop leaders and thinkers who live out God’s calling in their own lives—and in the mentor’s life as well
Speakers: Shirley Hoogstra, President Emerita, CCCU and Sarah Campbell, Marketing and Admissions Manager, Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford
Shaping the Future
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Legal battles related to religious liberty protections continue across the country, providing additional insight into how courts interpret statutory and constitutional protections for faith-based organizations. Higher education attorney Kathryn Nash will provide an update on recent court decisions interpreting and applying religious liberty protections and discuss how those decisions may impact Christian colleges and universities. The presentation will provide an overview of religious liberty protections available to faith-based higher education institutions and recommendations regarding how institutions can bolster their religious protections in light of recent case law.
Speaker: Kathryn Nash, Partner, Lathrop GPM
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
In a season of profound cultural and ecclesial change, denominationally affiliated colleges find themselves navigating complex and often delicate relationships with their sponsoring churches. This panel brings together college presidents and denominational leaders to explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing institutions that are deeply rooted in a specific theological tradition. Tensions can arise when expectations around theology, cultural engagement, or institutional priorities begin to shift—either within the college, the denomination, or both. Questions around identity, governance, and support are increasingly pressing:
How should institutions respond when denominational influence is strong but tangible support is limited?
What does mutual accountability look like in today’s higher education landscape
And how can both colleges and denominations remain aligned in mission while adapting to new realities?
This session will explore models of governance, shifting denominational dynamics, and faithful leadership strategies for navigating tensions around identity, doctrine, and mission. Join us for a candid and hopeful conversation about how denominational colleges can remain anchored in Christ—while continuing to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction.
Speakers: Joy Mosley, Vice President for Government & Strategic Relations, CCCU and Ken Shaw, President, Southern Adventist University and Jeff Arnold, Executive Director, Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities and Chris Holmes, General Counsel, Baylor University
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
This session presents a compelling case study of how one CCCU institution pioneered a dedicated Executive Director of Government and Strategic Relations to amplify its voice in public policy, protect religious liberty, create enrollment pipelines, and forge strategic alliances. Co-presented by Dr. P. Callaway and retired Indiana Senator John B. Crane, the session explores the role’s development, practical outcomes, and lessons learned. Through an interview-style format, attendees will gain insight into how faith-based institutions can effectively navigate civic engagement. A final Q&A and discussion segment will help participants consider how to adapt public engagement strategies to their context.
Speakers: Penelope Callaway, Executive Director of Government and Strategic Relations, Indiana Wesleyan University and John B. Crane, Former Senator, Indiana Senate
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
In a world increasingly marked by polarization, pressure, and unrest, Christian leaders are called to respond not with fear but with faith-filled courage. This session explores how to lead with courageous adaptability, embrace humble leadership in divided contexts, and act on biblical imperatives with deep Christian conviction. Drawing from Scripture, examples from our campuses, and practical frameworks, participants will be challenged to view today’s socio-political climate not as a threat, but as an opportunity for Christ-centered, redemptive influence—for such a time as this.
Speakers: Ted Song, Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer and Chief Innovation Officer, John Brown University, Esther Jadhav, Associate Dean of Intercultural Life, Asbury University and Nathaniel Perez, Associate Dean of Intercultural and Urban Engagement, Gordon College and Karen Dowling, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer, Indiana Wesleyan University and Beverly Glover, Vice President for University Culture, Oklahoma Baptist University and Vanessa Quainoo, Chief Intercultural Engagement Officer, Wheaton College and Cokiesha Bailey Robinson, Associate Dean of Mentoring & Cross Cultural Engagement, Grace College
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
In today’s rapidly shifting cultural and religious landscape, the term evangelical has become increasingly contested, including among those within the tradition. While many students at CCCU institutions come from evangelical church backgrounds, Christian faculty and higher education leaders often hesitate to identify with the evangelical movement due to its politicized and fractured public perception. What does it mean to be evangelical today? Can this identity still serve as a unifying foundation for faithful witness, institutional clarity, and campus formation? This session will feature a collaborative exploration with university spiritual formation leaders who minister in distinct cultural and regional contexts. We will examine new research from Barna, commissioned by the National Association of Evangelicals, to surface current trends, tensions, and opportunities related to evangelical identity—especially within the context of Christian higher education. Drawing from their on-the-ground experience, these campus leaders will offer practical reflections on how this data is shaping conversations around spiritual formation, unity, and missional coherence on their campuses.
Speakers: Sarah Baldwin, Director of the Gospel Beauty & Breadth Project, National Association of Evangelicals and Jamie Johnson, Dean of Spiritual Life & University Pastor, George Fox University and Jeannie Banter, Associate Dean of Spiritual Life & University Chaplain, Asbury University
Engage in meaningful policy and advocacy efforts that safeguard the mission of Christian higher education. This theme emphasizes the importance of strategic public engagement to influence legislation, protect religious liberty, and ensure a flourishing future for faith-based institutions.
Fostering Student Flourishing
Advance student success through research-based practices that support holistic development on CCCU campuses. This theme focuses on formation, spiritual growth, student care, and well-being, while highlighting key drivers of retention—such as belonging, meaningful faculty-student relationships, and the integration of faith and learning.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Student engagement, retention, and first-year experiences are critical to all of our campuses. Our Cornerstone course is required for all entering first-year students and leverages Peer Leaders who partner with instructors to engage new students in community and help them to gain a sense of belonging in the academic and co-curricular areas of the university. This session will share the structure and foundation of our Peer Leader program, the training and support in place for our Peer Leaders, and offer actionable insights to build a similar program on your campus.
Speaker: Eric Gumm, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and University Registrar, Abilene Christian University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Due to the rapidly shifting post-COVID higher education landscape, continued enrollment decline, and likely financial uncertainty in the foreseeable future of postsecondary education, Christian higher education (CHE) practitioners require a coherent strategy for continued growth and for CHE to thrive. This requirement necessitates that we focus on the most critical aspect of our work: students. This session will utilize data from multiple nationwide student assessments that measure engagement, satisfaction, and thriving. The data and session will incorporate multiple student demographics, including traditional, adult, and online learners, focusing on the similarities among these students and the distinct retention strategies required for each student type.
Speakers: Jeff Clawson, Assistant Vice President for Membership, Grants and Research, CCCU and Laurie Schreiner, Professor of Higher Education, Azusa Pacific University
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Students’ sense of belonging plays a critical role in their academic success, retention, and overall well-being. This session will present findings from data collected from students in teacher credential, M.A. and Doctoral programs online and in-person at Concordia University Irvine, focused on understanding graduate students’ sense of belonging through qualitative data collected from surveys and student focus groups. We will also explore how various factors—including institutional support, faculty engagement, peer interaction, and program structure—impact students' perceptions of belonging and academic identity within the academic community. Based on the data, we will share actionable recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment that retains graduate students. Initial findings highlight the importance of hospitality, student support systems, and retention strategies, aligning with current demographic shifts and higher education enrollment trends. The presentation will outline how cultivating a sense of belonging—defined as students feeling accepted, supported, and connected—directly impacts student retention, engagement, and overall well-being.
Speakers: Tim Young, Director-MA-Education-PPSC-School Psychology/PPOHA Grant Director/EdD Faculty, Concordia University Irvine and Barbara Howard, Director of Assessment and Accreditation for the School of Education and Chair of Educational Effectiveness Committee, Concordia University Irvine and Kellie Albrecht, Senior Director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership Program, Concordia University Irvine
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Amidst intensifying financial, political, and social challenges across higher education,
leaders at Christian colleges are increasingly called to guide student communities through
moments of disruption and loss. Drawing from student development theories, crisis
communication and leadership frameworks, principles of lament, and Worden’s framework
of loss, this session offers both theoretical grounding and practical strategies for responding
with wisdom, clarity, empathy, and care. Led by two seasoned student affairs vice
presidents who have walked through community crises – program cuts, position
eliminations, and college closures – this session offers principles and insights for leading
faithfully in moments of loss.Speakers: Mark Muha, Vice President for Student Development, Biola University and Ian Slater, Dean of Students, Genesee Community College
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Our students often have to do ten things at once: studying, working, social media, friends, church, streaming services, family, sports. Their world never stands still. The possibilities are endless and the bar is set high. It always has to be more, faster or better. How do you keep on top of this rat race in a healthy way? 'Life Rules' offers ten concrete guidelines that help our students consciously choose peace, relationships and faith in a world full of distractions. 'Life Rules' is inspired by the life of Jesus and the core values of the Ten Commandments.
Speakers: Jan Hol, President of the Board, Christian University of Applied Sciences Ede and Pieter Oudenaarden, Board Member, Christian University of Applied Sciences Ede
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
The Biblical Literacy Project highlights the impact of experiential learning on student flourishing at CCCU campuses. Research shows that peer-driven experiences, particularly a curated visit for 30+ college students and faculty/staff mentors to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., significantly boosts students’ interest in Bible exploration and spiritual development. This initiative, leveraging digital resources, fosters belonging, spiritual growth, and purpose, enhancing retention. This session will explore a research-based strategy that integrates faith, learning, and peer engagement, empowering Christ-centered formation and vibrant campus communities.
Speakers: Gene Crume, President, Judson University and Jolene Erlacher, Founder, Leading Tomorrow and Steven Simonyi-Gindele, Founder, Biblical Literacy Project
Building a Thriving Campus
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
One of the first areas where Biblical/Christian mission drift can be identified is within the intercollegiate athletics program. One reason is it is a performance-based enterprise emblazoned by passion and fanaticism. In most cases, the main reason is exceptions made in hiring staff and recruiting student-athletes. Labeled as "just the culture", the truth is the drift is predictable and correctable by those willing to make the effort.
Speakers: Dan Wood, Executive Director, NCCAA and Wayne Lewis, President, Houghton University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Universities invest millions in campus design and construction—but often miss the most important first step. This session introduces a data-backed, human-centered design approach that begins with the psychology of the student experience. Learn why students decide where they belong well before they apply, and how physical environments and personal experiences influence that decision. See how designing for psychology—not just architecture—can transform your campus into a conversion engine. You will leave with a practical framework for applying Experience Design (XD) to drive enrollment and make your campus your strongest recruiter.
Speakers: Troy Rhodes, Founder, XD Studio + Research Lab and Keith Newman, President, Southern Nazarene University and Heath Thomas, President, Oklahoma Baptist University
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
A thriving campus is built on more than infrastructure - it's rooted in purpose, vision, and collaboration. In this session, we'll explore how Calvin University is using multiple campus master plans and strategic thinking to align campus priorities and departments while creating momentum around change management. Partnering with GMB, Calvin has embraced a long-range planning process that integrates academics, student housing, athletics, support services, and infrastructure improvements into a unified, student-centered vision. This session will highlight how Calvin is cultivating a spirit of trust and shared ownership around change management, creating space for collaboration between academics, operations, and student life.
Speakers: Sarah Visser, Executive Vice President for Student Experience and Strategy, Calvin University and David Wilkins, Higher Education Client Lead, GMB
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Saturday, January 31, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
A fundamental shift has occurred in the broader retail world. Traditional retail is no longer centered on transactions - it’s centered on storytelling. Today’s customers aren’t primarily influenced by ads; they are drawn into curated experiences built around a clear and compelling narrative. Websites, social media, and physical spaces now work together to tell a cohesive story.
Unfortunately, college retail has been slow to adapt.
In this interactive session, we will explore the story your campus store is currently telling - and the strategic shift required to ensure it reflects the identity, values, and aspirations of the institution it represents. Participants will examine how campus stores can move beyond convenience and compliance to become a powerful extension of institutional brand and student experience.
Speaker: Darren Campbell, CEO, SlingshotEDU -
Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
A leading credit rating agency describes the higher education financial landscape as bifurcated. Christian colleges and universities reflect that. Strong institutions hold their market position, excel at fundraising, and have healthy balance sheets. Struggling institutions face enrollment declines, leading to strained operations and, often, liquidity issues. Join us as we take a deep dive into the financial landscape of CCCU members, utilizing a case study of an institution that went from one of the “have-nots” to one of the “haves.”
Speakers: Dan Campbell, Partner, CapinCrouse and Rachel McMichael, Partner, CapinCrouse and Kristie Cole, Chief Financial Officer, Anderson University - SC
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
In an era of rapid digital change, Christian higher education faces unique challenges and opportunities in aligning technology with mission. This roundtable session, led by members of the CCCU Commission on Technology, will explore how CIOs and IT leaders in faith-based institutions are navigating digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, vendor ethics, and the pastoral dimensions of leadership. Attendees will engage in a dynamic conversation around how technology can serve as a tool for stewardship, student flourishing, and institutional resilience while remaining rooted in biblical convictions.
Speakers: Cody Lloyd, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Operations, Southeastern University and Josh Shoffner, Vice President of Technology, Oklahoma Baptist University and Greg Brandenberg, CIO, University of Mary Hardin–Baylorand and Nate Tucker, Vice President for Information Technology, Lee University
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Presidential leadership today demands clarity, courage, and conviction amid demographic shifts, cultural tension, and enrollment uncertainty. In 2025, the CCCU—in collaboration with NACCAP—reinvigorated its long-running market research series, first conducted by the Enrollment Management Commission in 1986 and updated in 2000 and 2009. The new data reveals how Christian institutions are viewed today—and what is needed to lead them forward faithfully. This session will present the top strategic takeaways for senior leaders and presidents navigating change while remaining anchored in mission.
Speakers: Jessica Mireles, Founder & President, JM Partner Solutions and Pamela Lee, Vice President for Market Research & Insights, JM Partner Solutions and Andrew Wright, Director of Research & Data Analytics, NACCAP and Phil Cook, President, Lee University and Angie Richey, President, Life Pacific University and Silvio Vazquez, Chief Enrollment Management Officer, Wheaton College
Examine the multifaceted nature of college administration and the essential functions that keep Christian colleges running with purpose and efficiency. This track will address key operational areas, focusing on how each contributes to building a thriving, mission-aligned campus. Sessions will offer practical strategies for navigating the complex challenges of today’s higher education environment while remaining rooted in Christian values.
Championing the Mission
Elevate the role of strategic communication and advancement in Christian higher education by focusing on institutional reputation, issues management, media engagement, and donor and alumni relations. This theme highlights how communications and advancement professionals can faithfully represent the mission, articulate impact, craft unique messages, and inspire support for the institution’s short- and long-term goals.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
How can institutions build a strategic plan that gets fully funded with broad campus buy-in and surprising generosity that engages donors, alumni, parents, and external partners? With practical advice and counsel from the largest fundraising campaign in Taylor University’s history, leaders from Taylor will share lessons learned so far from the Life to the Full campaign, which has surpassed $350 million toward its $500 million goal. In this interactive session, participants will explore key insights around constituent engagement, strategic events, volunteer leadership, coordinated communications, and measurable progress that brings all constituents toward deeper commitment to Christ and the university.
Speakers: Michael Lindsay, President, Taylor University and Mike Falder, Vice President for Advancement, Taylor University and Skip Trudeau, Vice President for Student Development & Intercollegiate Athletics, Taylor University and Holly Whitby, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Taylor University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
As faith-based institutions navigate increasing financial pressures and shifts in higher education, many are reexamining how athletics can better serve their mission and sustainability goals. This session will explore why the NAIA offers an ideal home for CCCU schools — one that aligns with Christian values, prioritizes character and community, and provides a financially sustainable model for athletics. Participants will learn through a panel of Presidents how the NAIA’s mission-driven approach, Champions of Character program, and flexible governance empower institutions to live out their faith through sport while strengthening enrollment and institutional identity. Join us to discover how the NAIA’s best practices have helped campuses build an athletics experience that reflects your mission, supports your students, and sustains your future.
Speakers: Jim Carr, President and CEO, NAIA and Erik Hoekstra, President, Dordt University and Paul Maurer, President, Montreat College and Chad Briscoe, Director of Athletics, Grace College
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
At Lee University, we reimagined the student experience by creating a One Stop Shop that brings together Admissions, Financial Aid, Housing, Student Financial Services, and Records in a single, rebuilt space. More than a logistical improvement, this initiative became a vehicle for institutional storytelling - integrating mission, brand, and radical hospitality into the physical environment. This session will share how design, cross-departmental collaboration, and values-based customer service transformed two old buildings into a welcoming front door for students and families, offering practical strategies for aligning space, service, and story in today’s higher education landscape.
Speakers: Jeff Salyer, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Lee University and Josh York, Vice President for Operations, Lee University
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
This behind-the-scenes look at building Baylor University’s brand over the past decade will explore how a CMO helped the University move from crisis to one of the nation’s top higher education institutions. The presentation will focus on several marketing truths, including the importance of campus collaboration, partnerships with the president and cabinet, and practical steps for replacing silos with bridges. The presentation will also include insight into how Baylor measures its marketing impact and the importance of remaining agile.
Speakers: Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor, 5 Degrees Branding and Jason Cook, Vice President for Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer, Baylor University
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Open and honest conversation between donors and fundraisers occurs far too rarely, but we have so much to learn from one another. In this panel discussion, two highly respected fundraisers and two seasoned donors will share openly with one another about the good, the bad and the ugly in the donor/fundraiser relationship, so that we can more effectively pursue our common goals. Please join us for this moderated discussion with open Q&A to follow.
Speakers: Joel A. Dillon, Senior Vice President of Advancement, CCCU and Kevin Gentry, Founder, TenX Strategies and Laura Paredes, Senior Director, Corporate Communications at US Steel and Board Member at Hope College and Dale Wong, Chairman of the Board, Wheaton College and Arminda Lathrop, Vice President of Advancement, George Fox University
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Symbols matter—especially in a university context. This session examines the intentional steps MACU took to evaluate and align its new mascot look with its theological framework, missional identity, and student experience. From listening sessions to brand voice alignment, you’ll leave with a roadmap for navigating and unveiling symbolic change with transparency and unity.
Speaker: Ashley Gotcher, Vice President for Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement, Mid-America Christian University
Guiding Academia and Supporting Human Flourishing
Identify strategies to guide your institution with clarity and conviction. In the face of dynamic changes—including the rise of artificial intelligence, evolving perceptions of higher education’s relevance, and growing demand for professional studies, focus on discovering and implementing best practices, preserving core values, and advancing institutional missions in a rapidly shifting landscape.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
At Oral Roberts University, where whole-person education is mission-driven, all students participate in a required health and physical activity program. Over nearly a decade, our interdisciplinary undergraduate research group has studied how physical activity and wellness behaviors relate to GPA, retention, and overall well-being. Drawing on a large multi-year dataset, we found that students from all backgrounds experience greater success when they live active, healthy lifestyles, regardless of fixed traits like personality or socioeconomic status. This session explores how Christian campuses can leverage physical wellness programs to meaningfully boost student success, retention, and holistic development.
Speaker: Andrew Lang, Senior Professor of Mathematics, Oral Roberts University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
In today’s volatile higher education landscape, academic leaders require courage to make bold financial decisions that advance mission and address market demands. This presentation will explain how shared principles, cross-campus collaboration, and creative application of data led to significant budgetary adjustments in curriculum and academic programs. Presenters will provide examples of successful curricular expense reductions and scenario-based forecasting models, along with key lessons from collaborative structural budgeting efforts. The division of Academic Affairs ultimately reduced expenses by 23% between FY23 and FY25, while upholding institutional priorities and values.
Speakers: Kirk Moss, Vice Provost for Faculty & Academic Programs, University of Northwestern – St. Paul and Janet Sommers, Former Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Northwestern – St. Paul and Joel Johnson, Vice Provost for Academic Administration & Assessment, University of Northwestern – St. Paul
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
As many universities rely on adjunct faculty at higher percentages, the need for more robust support, professional development, and assimilation into the campus culture also increases. The Adams Center for Teaching and Learning at Abilene Christian University has recently made efforts to provide specific teaching and learning support for adjunct faculty. In this session, we will share our strategies and hear from participants about their goals and practices. Bring your university’s adjunct support practices and join us for a workshop-style conversation about how we can all better support this growing segment of our faculty.
Speakers: Amy Boone, Teaching and Learning Specialist, Abilene Christian University and Rodney Ashlock, Director of Faculty Development, Abilene Christian University
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Shifting demographics are intersecting with other societal trends to make for an uncertain future for higher education. As critics of the industry call into question the value we bring, there are unique threats to our position as leaders of Christian higher education. This novel environment also presents opportunities, including our ability to advance academic excellence. This session will explore recent trends across our sub-sector, highlighting areas of strategic focus. Two president/provost teams from Christian universities with recent significant increases in applications and/or enrollment, academic rigor, and market distinctiveness will present ways they have doubled down on mission with excellence. The session should provide hope and help attendees identify their own institution’s unique role in meeting this moment.
Speakers: Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu, Provost, Westmont College and Gayle Beebe, President, Westmont College and Stephen Johnson, Provost, Palm Beach Atlantic University and Candice McQueen, President, Lipscomb University and Rachel Pauletti, Director, Forvis Mazars and Debra Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The waning capacity (or will) of college students to read long-form prose is widely observed and lamented, as digital devices sap attention spans and artificial intelligence undermines many traditional accountability exercises. This session invites participants to step back from the lamentation and consider a fundamental question: why does it matter if our students don’t read? By exploring the history of reading as a communication technology and previous technological revolutions that have upheaved its role in education and religious practice, we will seek a clearer grasp on what is important about reading and how to cultivate it in our universities today.
Speaker: Rachel Maxson, Research and Instruction Librarian, John Brown University
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
This session explores the evolving landscape of the Registrar’s Office in the 21st century and the need for an up-to-date approach to support the faculty, students, and administration in the pursuit of the institution’s mission. Today’s Registrar must navigate complex challenges, which we will discuss, including leveraging technology, fostering collaborative partnerships across campus, and adapting policies to serve changing student populations effectively. The session will also explore ways to build a cohesive team that sees how their work supports a dynamic and effective campus and how they connect to the mission of the college.
Speaker: Eric Gumm, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and University Registrar, Abilene Christian University
Equipping for the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Vocation
Equip students to view their academic journey and future vocation through a theological lens, fostering a deeper sense of calling and purpose. This theme invites reflection on how academic disciplines intersect with spiritual formation and how the integration of faith and learning can lead to gospel-driven lives that impact communities and transform society.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Christian Study Centers are expanding across the U.S. Described by one observer as “Christian higher education in a food truck,” these organizations foster vibrant Christian learning communities dedicated to integrating faith, learning, and vocation at flagship universities. The movement includes several leaders from CCCU institutions. CSCs constitute both a significant potential rival to CCCU institutions, but also potential partnership opportunities. Can CCCU institutions and Christian Study Centers learn from each other and work together in advancing robust, faith-integrative education? If so, how? This session will explore these questions.
Speakers: Rick Ostrander, Executive Director, Michigan Christian Study Center and AJ Poelarends, Director, Center for Faith and Learning at Anselm House
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The integration of faith and entrepreneurship (F+E) is a rapidly expanding movement across the globe. This movement combines the most important force in human history, Christian faith, with one of the most important contemporary forces today, entrepreneurship. Higher education is a place of examination and investigation for the movement. Because of entrepreneurship’s interdisciplinary reach across campuses and its inherent innovation, the integration of F+E has the potential to transform not only every college or university, but also the entirety of higher education. It has the potential to revitalize faith and learning within and beyond institutions. This transformation is not happening at some future date; it has already begun. How are CCCU institutions integrating F+E today? Why and how can it redemptively inform academic research, teaching, outreach and service? How are networks across higher education developing to advance this transformation?
Speakers: JoAnn Flett, Executive Director, Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University and Brett Smith, Founding & Executive Director, Center for L.I.F.E. (Leading the Integration of Faith & Entrepreneurship) and Josh Yates, Executive Director, Belmont Innovation Labs at Belmont University
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
A quality collegiate education invites students into great questions of the human condition, the history of the world, and the fabric of Creation. One such question emerged two thousand years ago: what does it mean for us to have the mind of Christ? The answer to this question is not a new idea, method, or process, but an inheritance we have received and hold in trust. Our task is to cultivate our own minds toward engaging every endeavor and relationship of life embedded in the thought world of Scripture. The paths through which the mind of Christ is cultivated rest on an order through which students can pursue every question in God's whole Creation, visible and invisible--with intensity and imagination.
Speakers: Calvin Troup, President, Geneva College and Melinda Stephens, Provost, Geneva College
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
The nursing profession in the West is founded on Judeo-Christian religious principles; however, the evolution of scholarship has separated religion from patient-centered spiritual care. Questions arise about what spiritual care is from a Judeo-Christian nursing worldview and how it is practiced from the faith-based perspective of Christian nurses. A systematic review and pragmatic utility analysis revealed that spiritual care for the Christian nurse is predicated on a vital faith and knowledge of God. Integration of faith into Christ-centered spiritual care is embodied by the nurse, while trusting in God alone to effect ultimate healing through salvation.
Speaker: Jeffrey Gage, Professor of Nursing, California Baptist University
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
In an era of relentless demands and digital noise, leaders in Christian higher education are particularly susceptible to soul fatigue—a gradual erosion of inner vitality and purpose. Drawing on Ruth Haley Barton's Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, this session will explore how to recognize the signs of soul fatigue, implement sustainable practices for personal soul care, and cultivate environments where soul health is prioritized in teams and departments. Participants will leave with practical tools to lead from a centered, spiritually rooted place in both personal and professional contexts, across various disciplines and leadership levels.
Speakers: Becky Wakeman, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chairperson for Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science, Indiana Wesleyan University and Natasha Davis, Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning & Compliance, TIX Coordinator, Houghton University and Krista Hoekstra, Dean of Health and Science, Crown College and Stacey Martin, Vice President for Student Life, Hardin-Simmons University and Jordan Schools, Chair of the Department of Kinesiology, LeTourneau University and Riley Westmoreland, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Operations, Samford University and Robyn Florian, Director of Alumni Relations, Greenville University
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Research labs and supervision relationships provide students and faculty with opportunities to engage in smaller groups consistently over longer periods of time while working on research that addresses real needs in the world. This presents a situation ripe for faith mentorship and integration. In this session a faculty member and undergraduate student(s) from the Sociology department at Trinity Western University will share their experiences of faith integration through engaging in a SSHRC funded research project together. They will discuss key takeaways, moments of transformation and the transformative impact research supervision can have on both supervisors and students alike.
Speakers: Katie Steeves, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Trinity Western University and Lucy Smith, Former Undergraduate Student Research Assistant, Trinity Western University
AI
The rise of artificial intelligence is impacting all areas of society and the many components that make up a college or university institution are no exception. Delve into the use cases, implementations and benefits AI holds in the future of your work in Christian higher education.
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
As artificial intelligence reshapes higher education, Christian institutions face challenging ethical and pedagogical questions. How do we equip students to think critically in an AI-driven world? How can we ensure technology supports, rather than replaces, spiritual and intellectual formation? This session explores Abilene Christian University's approach to these challenges, including efforts to integrate AI literacy into vocation-specific training and faith-based learning. We'll examine ethical concerns, discuss strategies for fostering discernment in students, and share practical resources for institutions seeking to chart their own path forward with AI—anchored in faith, wisdom, and critical thinking.
Speakers: Wes Crawford, Vice Provost, Abilene Christian University and Andy Little, Dean for Academics-College of Business Administration, Abilene Christian University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Artificial intelligence is affecting everything! Have you considered how it might already be affecting your investment process, or even more importantly “how should AI be affecting your investment process? In this session we will review an institutional approach to the investment process and evaluate the way that artificial intelligence is impacting, changing, and potentially enhancing the investment process. We will also discuss ways that AI may already be affecting your existing portfolio. Join us as we dig deeper into the changing landscape of portfolio management.
Speakers: Bryan Taylor, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Cornerstone Management and Winters Richwine, Chief Operating Officer & Investment Consultant, Cornerstone Management
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
How can Christian universities lead with clarity and conviction in the face of AI disruption and shifting academic value perceptions? This session shares Lipscomb University’s “Fear to Flourishing” strategy—a mission-rooted model guiding ethical AI integration, faculty empowerment, and student formation. Learn how we anchored technological change in core values, implemented cross-campus training, and created governance structures to support institutional flourishing amid complexity. Participants will gain tools to advance their own mission while responding to today’s urgent challenges.
Speakers: Jennifer Shewmaker, Provost, Lipscomb University and Laura Morrow, Senior Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Lipscomb University and Sarah Gibson, Faculty Fellow for AI, Lipscomb University
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the workplace, the most essential human skills—empathy, ethics, and care—are rising in strategic and spiritual importance. According to futurist Kai-Fu Lee, many technical tasks will be automated, but “empathetic jobs”—those rooted in human connection—will define the future of meaningful work. Christian universities are uniquely positioned to lead in this space. This session will examine how global Christian collaborations—across disciplines and borders—can cultivate adaptable, purpose-driven leaders equipped to address both technological disruption and profound human needs. Drawing from their work in music therapy, entrepreneurship, and international education, Drs. Sebastian and Lois Văduva will present models of Christ-centered leadership formation that are globally networked, spiritually grounded, and future-ready
Speakers: Lois Vaduva, University Professor, Emanuel University of Oradea and Sebastian Vaduva, University Professor, Emanuel University of Oradea
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how universities approach marketing and communication, from generating content to streamlining workflows. In this session, you’ll learn how to harness the power of well-crafted prompts to elevate your communications, discover how creating custom GPTs can serve as a strategic extension of your team and explore the importance of developing a clear and ethical AI policy for communication and marketing at your university.
Speakers: Julie Gumm, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, John Brown University and Brenda Velasco, Senior Director of University Communications, Biola University
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Sunday, February 1st, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
This session explores how AI tools and adaptive learning platforms support the academic and personal development of first-year students. We share strategies for integrating AI-driven coaching into first-year seminar courses to promote metacognition, time management, and college readiness. Platforms like Copilot help students navigate their studies and transition into college life, while tools such as ALEKS and EdReady provide personalized learning paths tailored to students’ unique needs in developmental math. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating student-centered experiences that foster belonging, resilience, and academic success.
Speaker: Becky Wakeman, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chairperson for Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science, Indiana Wesleyan University
Presidents & Trustees Focus
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Friday, January 30th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
This session will be a moderated Q&A with board members and presidents who have walked through significant transitions, offering candid examples of smooth transitions and key strategies that contributed to success, as well as what was learned along the way. Attendees will gain practical insights to confidently navigate senior leadership transitions, learn great ideas for supporting institutional stability, and better understand how to build trust within a campus community.
Speakers: Andy Westmoreland, President Emeritus, Samford University and Sherilyn Emberton, President Emerita, Huntington University
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Friday, January 30th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
As grantmakers, we rarely see thriving organizations with dysfunctional boards. In today’s shifting cultural and financial landscape, governance is not just a fiduciary responsibility, it’s a missional imperative. This session will explore how Christian institutions can strengthen their boards to make faithful, strategic, and future-oriented decisions. Drawing from the Murdock Trust’s board development framework, personal experience on Christian university boards, and within a highly participatory session, we’ll share core pillars of effective governance, anonymous stories from the field, and practical steps to cultivate healthier, more mission-aligned boards. Whether your board is flourishing or floundering, this session will offer tools to help anchor leadership in Christ while navigating complexity.
Speakers: Kimberly Thornbury, Vice President for Education and Leadership Development, The Murdock Trust and Dan Wolgemuth, President Emeritus, Youth for Christ USA
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Saturday, January 31st, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Trust is the essential foundation of effective governance in Christian higher education. Learn from Michael Hammond, President of Gordon College, and Fran Brown, a Gordon trustee and Partner-In-Charge at CapinCrouse, as they explore strategies for fostering collaborative, mission-aligned decision making. You will gain insight into the foundational elements of board governance in Christian higher education and how trust influences structure, function, and growth.
Speakers: Fran Brown, Partner-In-Charge, CapinCrouse and Michael Hammond, President, Gordon College
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Saturday, January 31st, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
There is no more important relationship in the Christian university ecosystem than the board president and the institutional president. These relationships can be long term or turn over with regularity. The four panelists represent both long serving presidents and presidents just starting in a new institution. They will each present on practices that have served them well and discuss instances when board chair/institutional president relationships were ineffective, at cross purposes, as well as when they were mutually beneficial and mission driven.
Speakers: Shirley Hoogstra, President Emerita, CCCU and André Stephens, President, Fresno Pacific University and Chip Pollard, President, John Brown University and Barry Corey, President, Biola University and Deana Porterfield, President, Seattle Pacific University
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Saturday, January 31st, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Searches often rely on resumes, interviews and search consultants which often lead to challenges in understanding top candidates and their "match" with the job profile or the institution. Dr John Townsend has developed an assessment tool that can enhance the work of the search committee, serve candidates and even provide insight for boards or executives as they conduct leadership searches. Townsend will be joined by Dr Moore who recently chaired a search committee and Dr. Watson who was selected to be the President of Asbury Seminary. Hear the practical and creative ways the assessment and other tools were incorporated into the search process to help guide, inform and educate all parties involved.
Speakers: John Townsend, Author, Educator, and Psychologist and David Watson, President, Asbury Seminary and Steve Moore, CEO Emeritus, Murdock Trust
Leading a Christian college or university is a calling bestowed by God. Navigating policy changes, donor recruitment and investment, weathering enrollment challenges and collaboratively working between campus leadership and board of trustees is not an easy undertaking. This track, specifically curated for presidents and board members, will discuss some of the most pressing issues institutional leaders face daily.