CIC’s 2025 Institute for Chief Academic Officers invites chief academic officers, chief student affairs officers, and chief student success officers—including chief diversity officers; belonging, inclusion and culture officers; teaching and learning center professionals; and career services professionals—to collaborate at a deeper level and program for a stronger future.
The theme of this year’s Institute is Building Places of Promise: Unlocking Student Success and will focus on uniting around our foundational values—mission, passion, and purpose—to create student-centered environments where students can thrive through resilience and belonging. The Institute will address critical issues including navigating academic freedom, managing campus conflict, preparing students for meaningful careers, and thoughtfully integrating AI on campus.
CIC has planned concurrent sessions that bring the Institute’s themes and objectives together, as well as interactive seminars that focus on campus free expression, civil discourse, student success, legal issues surrounding higher education, and sustaining wellness.
CIC also offers special pre-Institute workshops for new chief academic officers and experienced chief academic officers. A new addition to this year’s program is a third pre-Institute workshop centered around programming for effective student success.
Who Should Participate?
This year, the following campus roles are invited to the Institute:
- Chief academic officers
- Chief student affairs officers
- Chief student success officers
- Chief diversity officers
- Belonging, inclusion, and culture officers
- Teaching and learning center professionals
- Career services professionals
CIC membership is not required for registration; independent college and university administrators are encouraged to participate.
Plenary Speakers
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Amelia Parnell
President, NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
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Irshad Manji
Founder, Moral Courage College
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Matthew Damschroder
Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Juniata College (PA)
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Karen An-hwei Lee
Provost, Wheaton College (IL)
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Tamara Stevenson
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Westminster University (UT)
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Tynisha D. Willingham
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Seminar Presenters
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Megan Halteman Zwart
Provost and Vice President, Saint Mary's College (IN)
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Zach Kinzler
Head of Academic Sales Strategies, BoodleBox
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Meredith Lancaster
Director of Customer Experience, BoodleBox
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Susan Llewellyn Deniker
Attorney and Labor and Employment Department Chair, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
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Chinyere Oparah
Founder and Executive Director, Center for Liberated Leadership
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Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill
Director of the Campus Free Expression Project, Council of Independent Colleges
Plenary Sessions
Four Keys to Delivering a Holistic and Transformational Student Experience
As students navigate complex academic, financial, career, social, and other decisions, it is essential for professionals to deliver timely and connected resources. This session will describe current trends for providing holistic student support with a focus on four specific strategies. The session will conclude with practical examples that showcase the importance of cross-functional collaboration, effective uses of technology, and a clear commitment to centering students’ needs.
Amelia Parnell, President, NASPA, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
Moral Courage: A Skill Set for Campus Unity — Without Uniformity
Uniformity is not unity. Different people have different viewpoints, even when they belong to the same groups. Delivered by Moral Courage College founder Irshad Manji, this interactive plenary will reveal why honoring divergent perspectives is key to bringing people together. Manji teaches the “how” viscerally: Participants will draw from their own lives to explore the challenge of understanding, and being understood, in times of deep mistrust. Participants will explore the paradox of pluralism and creating common ground, and will leave equipped with the five core skills of Moral Courage, a toolkit for healing ourselves no less than our institutions.
Irshad Manji, Founder, Moral Courage College
Closing Plenary Panel
This closing plenary panel will conclude the Institute with a forward-looking vision to improve collaboration between different areas on campus. Panelists will explore key lessons they have learned over time, reflect on each other’s work, and share ways in which they can support each other to be more successful. They will discuss how they plan to collaborate for improved success for students on their campuses.
Matthew Damschroder, Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Juniata College (PA)
Karen An-hwei Lee, Provost, Wheaton College (IL)
Tamara Stevenson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Westminster University (UT)
Tynisha D. Willingham, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Pre-Institute Workshops
Workshop for New Chief Academic Officers
Saturday, November 1
7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Chief academic officers who have served for fewer than two years are invited to participate in this workshop, led by experienced colleagues, that addresses issues that newer CAOs often face. Participants will work in small groups, analyze case studies, and discuss topics such as accreditation; assessment and institutional effectiveness; faculty governance and leadership; appointments, promotions, and tenure and its alternatives; managing time, technology, and paper; and working with peer administrators. Participants will be paired with an experienced CAO mentor.
Workshop Coordinators
Gerald Griffin
Provost, Hope College (MI)
Gerald Griffin is provost at Hope College (MI). Griffin joined the Hope faculty in 2015 as a member of both the departments of biology and psychology. Prior to his current appointment, he served as neuroscience program director, associate provost, and interim provost. Griffin is an accomplished scholar whose research interests primarily focus on the reciprocal interactions between viruses and the nervous system. In 2019, he was named an Emerging Scholar by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and also was the recipient of Hope’s Janet L. Anderson Excellence in Teaching Award. Griffin and his team of Hope student researchers received the college’s 2016 Social Sciences Young Investigator Award for their work with the bacterium Salmonella enterica.
Catharine O’Connell
Provost and Dean of the College, Illinois College
Catharine E. O’Connell has served as provost at Illinois College since 2016. She previously served as chief academic officer at two other institutions: Mary Baldwin College (now University) (VA) and Defiance College (OH). Prior to those roles, she held the positions of dean for academic affairs at Cabrini College (PA) and faculty member at St. John Fisher College (NY). O’Connell has been a frequent presenter at regional and national meetings on such topics as higher education leadership, global learning and citizenship, and community-based research. She received CIC’s 2024 Chief Academic Award for her contributions to independent higher education and exemplary service and work.
Workshop for Experienced Chief Academic Officers
Saturday, November 1
7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Having served for at least three or more years, chief academic officers usually have mastered the fundamentals of the role. At this stage, CAOs discover greater opportunities to lead rather than simply manage. What are the key questions CAOs can and should address at this stage in their careers? For example, how do CAOs balance attention to their institutions’ immediate issues with a focus on their long-term academic needs? How can CAOs attend to their own professional lives while also serving their institutions? How do CAOs work effectively with the president and other cabinet officers on strategic planning? Participants will explore these and related questions and gain fresh perspective on the next stage of their careers as CAOs.
Workshop Coordinators
Lauren Bowen
Provost, Juniata College (PA)
Lauren Bowen, provost and professor of politics at Juniata College (PA) since 2014, served the college as acting president during the Spring 2024 semester. As provost, she has been instrumental in the renovation of the academic library and led a comprehensive revision of general education and graduation requirements to emphasize local and global engagement, ethical discernment, and understanding how knowledge is created and valued. Bowen also has worked collaboratively with the Juniata faculty to design and implement new programs and majors. Under her leadership, the college has received research and program grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and foundations including the National Science Foundation, the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Bowen came to Juniata from John Carroll University (OH), where she served as associate academic vice president for student learning initiatives and diversity. In 2000, she was an American Council on Education fellow at the College of Wooster (OH). Bowen’s research interests have focused on judicial decision making and implementation, legislative-judicial interaction at the state level, and affirmative action issues.
Sarah Ferguson
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Texas Lutheran University
Sarah Ferguson is the vice president for academic affairs at Texas Lutheran University. In this role, she leads the academic endeavors of the university, including all academic programs, the library, the registrar, and the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. She also works closely with faculty, program directors, and department chairs to implement Texas Lutheran’s strategic initiatives. Ferguson served as Bachelor of Social Work department chair for seven years at the University of St. Thomas (MN) and St. Catherine University (MN)’s School of Social Work and as the associate vice president and dean of faculty at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Over the years, she has provided trainings on clinical supervision, cultural humility in supervision, organizational culture, leadership, and macro-practice social work. Ferguson is a frequent presenter at the CIC Workshops for Department and Division Chairs. Her scholarly interests include nonprofit management and leadership, supervision, macro-practice social work, and organizational systems.
Programming for Effective Student Success
Saturday, November 1
7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
This workshop is designed for those in roles that collaborate on student success on campuses. The workshop will cover effective practices in supporting students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Participants can include officers from academic services; student affairs; student support, diversity, belonging, inclusion, and culture; teaching and learning centers; career services and athletics; among others.
Workshop Coordinators
Alden Stout
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Newman University (KS)
Alden Stout is an experienced academic leader currently serving as vice president for academic affairs at Newman University (KS). In this role, he oversees curriculum development, faculty recruitment, academic budgeting, and assessment across five schools. His background includes overseeing academic policies, supporting faculty development, and liaising with accrediting bodies and community partners.
Titi Ufomata
Senior Vice President for Academic Programs, Council of Independent Colleges
Titi Ufomata is senior vice president for academic programs at the Council of Independent Colleges. Prior to joining CIC, she was provost and senior vice president at Saint Mary’s College (IN) and provost and dean of faculty at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY). She was also associate provost and Distinguished Professor at Kentucky State University.
Hotel and Travel
Hotel Reservations
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S. West Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 860-5800
Room Rate:
$239 single/double per night
Hotel Reservation Deadline:
October 1, 2025
PLEASE NOTE:
Hotel Reservation Procedure: Participants first need to register for the Institute in order to make a hotel reservation at the CIC discounted rate. Reservation details including a discount code will be provided to Institute participants with the confirmation email once registration is completed.
Hotel rooms may sell out before the deadline, so participants are encouraged to register for the Institute and reserve their hotel rooms as soon as possible. Please note that hotel reservations made after the deadline will be accommodated only on a space-available basis and may be at a rate higher than the CIC rate.
The JW Marriott Indianapolis Hotel is situated in the heart of downtown, close to White River State Park, and a short stroll away from hundreds of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The hotel is connected to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium via a climate-controlled sky bridge. Guests are encouraged to enjoy a variety of restaurants and boutiques, or choose to visit nearby attractions, including the NCAA Hall of Champions, Circle City Mall, and the Indiana State Capitol. Plus, both the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites are within a five-minute walk from the JW Marriott Indianapolis.
Transportation
Taxi and Rideshare
The JW Marriott Indianapolis Hotel is located approximately 14 miles from Indianapolis International Airport (IND). Rideshare options from the airport include Uber and Lyft. When using these services for pick-up, exit the terminal to the Ground Transportation Center on the first floor of the Terminal Garage. The approximate fare by taxi to the hotel or the downtown Indianapolis area is $50.00 one way.
Hotel Parking
(As of May 1, 2025)
Self-parking at the JW Marriott Indianapolis Hotel is $59.00 per day. Valet parking is $80.00 per day.
Registration Information
Please review the current CIC Health and Safety Guidelines and the CIC Code of Conduct before registering for the Institute.
Registration and Payment Process
Please register for the Institute online. You may pay for the Institute by:
Submit a credit card payment online.
Please select the “pay by check” option and use the following account information for your ACH payment:
Council of Independent Colleges
Routing number: (ABA) 021052053
Account number: 99387090
Addendum: CIC 2024 CAO Institute
Please select the “pay by check” option and use the following account information for your wire transfer payment:
Council of Independent Colleges
Banking Institution: Truist – Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T)
Routing number: 054001547
Account number: 0005163140944
SWIFT Code: BRBTUS33
Mail a check payable to “Council of Independent Colleges,” with a memo indicating the check is for the CAO Institute and a printout of your online registration page, to:
CAO Institute
Council of Independent Colleges
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20036-1142
Registration Fees
(includes Welcome Reception and Dinner, All-Institute Reception, Boxed Lunches, and all Breakfasts)
CIC Member Rates
| Early Rate (By Sep. 3) | Regular Rate (After Sep. 3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Academic Officer | $840 | $900 |
| Other Academic Administrator | $725 | $800 |
| Spouse/Partner | $350 | $350 |
Non-Member Rates
| Early Rate (By Sep. 3) | Regular Rate (After Sep. 3) | |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Academic Officer | $1,020 | $1,065 |
| Other Academic Administrator | $970 | $1,025 |
| Spouse/Partner | $350 | $350 |
Not a CIC member? In addition to reduced registration fees for the Institute, view the full list of member benefits.
Special Events
| Welcome Reception and Dinner (see note below)* | $200 |
|---|---|
| Workshop for New Chief Academic Officers [Note: Second-year CAOs who were unable to participate in year one are also welcome to participate.] | $190 |
| Workshop for Experienced Chief Academic Officers | $190 |
| Workshop: Programming for Effective Student Success | $190 |
*Note: The Welcome Reception and Dinner is included with a full registration. This special event fee is for additional guests only.
CIC Conference Registration and Cancellation Policies
Please note that CIC requires full payment by credit card, wire transfer, or check at the time of registration.
Refunds of the registration fee (less a $50 processing fee) will be given for cancellations received, in writing (including email), no later than October 1. Refund requests received between October 2 and October 20 will incur a charge equal to 25 percent of the total registration fee. No refunds will be issued after October 20. Approved refunds will be issued after the Institute. Please send cancellation requests to the attention of the CIC conference coordinator, at conferences@cic.edu.
Participants must cancel their own hotel reservations. Canceling your Institute registration does not cancel your hotel reservation. Please contact the JW Marriott Indianapolis Hotel at (317) 860-5800 or follow the directions on the hotel reservation confirmation to cancel. Reservations can be changed without a fee or canceled for a full refund up to 48 hours before anticipated arrival.
Contact Information
If you have registration questions, contact CIC by phone at (202) 466-7230 or by email at conferences@cic.edu.
Chief Academic Officers Task Force
The program of the 2025 Institute is being planned with the assistance of CIC’s Chief Academic Officers Task Force. Members include:
Kim Coplin, Provost, Denison University (OH)
Tricia Fechter Gates, Deputy Executive Director, ACPA College Student Educators
Gerald Griffin, Provost, Hope College (MI)
Karen Lee, Provost, Wheaton College (IL)
Catharine O’Connell, Provost and Dean of the College, Illinois College
Tracy Parkinson, Executive Vice President and Provost, Mars Hill University (NC)
Tamara Stevenson, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Westminster University (UT)
Monique Taylor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Champlain College (VT)
Titi Ufomata, Senior Vice President for Academic Programs, CIC
Abby Vollmer, Senior Director, NASPA Advisory Services, NASPA
Marianne Ward Peradoza, Provost, St. Edward’s University (TX)
Tynisha Willingham, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Eastern Mennonite University (VA)