Executives in Church-Related Higher Education (ECRHE) is an informal consortium of the heads of associations that support faith-inspired colleges and universities. The semiannual ECRHE meetings provide an opportunity for ecumenical cooperation and coordination among the associations and an occasion for the association executives to discuss among peers the challenges and opportunities faced by their organizations and their member colleges and universities. This is a time of executive development, mental rejuvenation, and peer connection.
Meetings are typically held in conjunction with other national convenings (including NAICU’s fall gathering, CIC’s Presidents Institute, and the CIC NetVUE biennial meeting).
Participation
Leaders who work in this space are welcome to participate in ECRHE gatherings. While there is no formal membership process for ECRHE, associations represented at ECRHE gatherings are typically CIC Affiliate Members or NetVUE Organizational Members. Over time, approximately 20 associations have attended ECRHE gatherings. Approximately two-thirds of CIC member colleges and universities are religiously affiliated and many of the ECRHE denominational associations hold meetings of their members in conjunction with CIC’s annual Institute for Chief Academic Officers, annual Presidents Institute, and biennial NetVUE Conference.
More information about participating in ECRHE gatherings can be found under the “Contact Information” section below.
Grants and Funding
In support of vibrant sector-wide leadership, Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided funding to CIC to be in support of ECRHE programming. The Council of Independent Colleges is grateful to Lilly Endowment Inc. for its generous support of this program.
As of Fall 2024, three rounds of grants have been offered for support by Lilly Endowment Inc. These grants are designed to boost capacity of ECRHE associations.
In addition, CIC offers travel subsidies at times to leaders of member groups attending ECRHE gatherings. This ensures attendees are able to convene regardless of organizational size and resources.
Member List
Below is a list of associations whose leads have attended ECRHE gatherings:
- Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities
- Global Education and Clergy Development, Church of the Nazarene
- Association of Adventists Colleges and Universities
- Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Association for Biblical Higher Education
- Association of Latter-Day Saints Colleges and Universities
- Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
- GBHEM, United Methodist Church
- Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
- North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Association of Latter-Day Saints Colleges and Universities
- Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Contact Information
Jeff Arnold, executive director, of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, currently serves as convener of the ECRHE with Matt Trainum, CIC’s vice president for networks and strategic partnerships, serving as host. Please contact Jeff (jeff.arnold@presbyteriancolleges.org) or Matt (mtrainum@cic.edu) with questions about ECRHE participation, grants, or gatherings.