2026 Presidential Spouses and Partners Program A Deeper Purpose

The role of presidential spouse or partner is unique in higher education: it rarely has a position description and varies enormously depending on the campus and the skills, interests, and personal circumstances of the individual. It is not a position to which the spouses or partners apply but one at which they all hope to succeed. It can be challenging, frustrating, and exhausting, but it can provide a singular opportunity for couples to know each other more fully and to work together in meaningful partnership. And it will likely be among the most richly rewarding and deeply fulfilling experiences for those fortunate few who have the privilege to serve in the role.

CIC’s Presidential Spouses and Partners Program is designed to offer insight, advice, support, and fellowship to those who share this unique role. Developed in consultation with an advisory group of experienced presidential spouses and partners, it is held in conjunction with the Presidents Institute each January and provides opportunities for learning and sharing in a variety of interactive, informative, and entertaining formats. Consistently, the most valued benefit of the program, as cited in evaluations, is the networking that takes place among presidential spouses and partners from other institutions.

The vision of the Presidential Spouses and Partners Program is for participants to:

• Enhance their understanding of the role of presidential spouse or partner
• Engage in fellowship with others serving in the same role
• Acquire tools for success in the role

Recognizing the diversity of backgrounds and interests of presidential spouses and partners, the program features an array of presentations, workshops, and informal discussions. Participation in all sessions is optional. Spouse and partner sessions tend to focus on topics that are of special relevance to the spouse/partner role, rather than on higher education issues and trends that are offered through the presidents’ program. Spouses and partners who are more interested in general higher education matters are encouraged and welcomed to attend sessions for presidents, unless otherwise noted.

Volunteers are always welcome to participate in planning and presenting programs for the Presidential Spouses and Partners Program. For more information, please contact Angela Cant, senior advisor, Presidential Spouses and Partners Program; presidential spouse, Wilkes University (PA), at acant@cic.edu.

Preliminary Schedule

Opening Session

Building Culture, Community, and Connection as a Presidential Spouse/Partner

A successful presidency can benefit tremendously from the involvement of the spouses/partners, both with the president for events and programs and through establishing their own identity within the college and community. Finding your niche can be personally rewarding while being integral to a successful college presidency. Join us at our opening luncheon to hear how Peg Cornwell found purpose and fulfillment on campus and beyond. She will be joined on stage with her husband and former president, Grant Cornwell, to reflect on how approaching the presidency as a partnership contributed to their joint success.

Peg Cornwell, Presidential Spouse and Former Associate to the President for College and Community Relations, Rollins College (FL)

Joint Sessions

Joint sessions are designed for the mutual interest of both presidents and spouses/partners. Couples are encouraged to attend together.

Public Roles, Private Lives: Navigating Visibility as a Presidential Couple

Presidents and their spouses or partners often navigate overlapping public and private roles, particularly in the age of social media and heightened visibility. This session will explore how presidential couples can define a public presence that supports the institution while protecting personal boundaries and preserving privacy. A panel of presidential couples will share their approaches to managing visibility, maintaining authenticity, and working in partnership with campus teams. Participants will leave with a framework for shaping their own engagement strategy as individuals and as a couple.

Matt Gerien, Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications, Carnegie Higher Education  

Keeping Presidential Partnerships Strong: A Science of Happy Marriage 

Marriage is hard work, made harder when you combine the pressures of a presidency during complex times. The good news? The relationship science is clear: making a few daily deposits into your marriage’s emotional bank account can make all the difference and help you better navigate the challenges together. In this session, relationship social scientist Carol Bruess will share the science of happy marriage while giving participants simple, evidence-based tools to help buffer the stressors of public lives while nurturing the most important personal relationship.

Carol Bruess, Presidential Spouse, St. Benedict and St. John’s University (MN); Professor Emerita, Communication/Family Studies, University of St. Thomas (MN); Scholar-in-Residence for Relationships and Dialogue, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University

Concurrent Sessions

Concurrent sessions are hour-long interactive discussions on a variety of topics specific to the role of presidential spouse/partner. Concurrent sessions are generally presented by fellow spouses/partners on a topic within their experience or expertise. This year, topics will include:

Supporting Parent and Family Engagement

Today’s parents are more engaged with their students’ lives than ever before, and they are an important part of the broader college community. Learn how as a presidential spouse/partner you might play an important role on campus supporting parent and family engagement.  

Know Your Strengths 

While welcoming and hosting are stereotypical understandings of the role, many presidential spouses/partners do so much more or aspire to do more.  This session will help participants discover what they naturally do best, understand how they can develop talents into strengths, and provide insights into how they might find greater fulfillment in their personal life and on campus. Prior to the session, participants will take the Clifton Strengths online assessment and receive a personalized report.  

Protecting Your Spirit: Practices for Renewal, Recreation, and Reinvention 

We will explore restorative practices that help presidential couples do their best work. Participants will discuss how and where they find rest and renewal and engage in daily practices that may help orient and focus their energy as they traverse the mountains and valleys of the role.

Defining the Role of Presidential Spouse

Titles, job descriptions, compensation, contracts, and benefits for presidential spouses and partners vary across institutions. Hear from our panelists who all have formal arrangements to some extent with their institutions. Then join a group discussion as we explore the challenges and benefits of defining your role.

Balancing Your Own Career and Campus Expectations

More than ever the role of presidential spouse/partner is balanced with their own careers. Join a group discussion with spouses and partners who juggle full-time careers on or off campus.

Programming Brains Trust 

Get inspired as you learn about events and activities that your fellow spouses/partners engage in on their campus. Panelists will share their most successful activities from student ambassador programs, holiday celebrations and campus events, and then we will invite the audience to participate in a group discussion. Bring along your favorite program or event to share with the group or just come along to listen and be inspired.

Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program

January 3–4, 2026

Please note: Pre-registration is required for this program.

The Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program (SPoNPP) runs concurrently with CIC’s New Presidents Program prior to the Presidents Institute. Participants create networks of colleagues, confidants, and friends who share an understanding of their unique role and who can provide mutual support as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of that new role. Click the button below for more information.

Learn More about SPoNPP

All program sessions of the Presidents Institute will be held at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Participants need to first register for the Presidents Institute in order to make a hotel reservation at the CIC discounted rate. Upon paid registration, participants will receive an Institute confirmation email that includes detailed hotel reservation instructions and a link to make reservations at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

The Presidents Institute registration and hotel reservation deadline is Monday, December 1, 2025. 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. 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. 

The Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek hotel is located within the 482-acre Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve near the Walt Disney World Resort. Amenities include a full-service spa, golf course, and a three-acre pool with a lazy river. Adjacent to the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is the Waldorf Astoria Orlando with both properties offering a combined 12 dining options. Additionally, all amenities at the Waldorf Astoria are available to Signia by Hilton guests and can be billed directly to their Hilton guest rooms.

Valet parking at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is $57 overnight and self-parking is $40. (Rates are as of March 2025.)

Registration Information

To ensure timely preparation of accurate and complete conference materials, please register for the Institute by Monday, December 1, 2025.

Please review the current CIC Health and Safety Guidelines and the CIC Code of Conduct before registering for the Institute.

Register Now

Registration and Payment Process

Please register for the Institute online. You may pay for the Institute by:

1. Credit Card

Submit a credit card payment online.

2. ACH Transfer

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 2025 Presidents Institute
ACH confirmations may be sent to: cicaccounting@cic.edu

3. Wire Transfer

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
Routing number: 054001547
Account number: 0005163140944
SWIFT Code: BRBTUS33
Wire confirmations may be sent to: cicaccounting@cic.edu

4. Check

Mail a check payable to “Council of Independent Colleges,” with a memo indicating the check is for the 2026 Presidents Institute and a printout of your online registration page, to:

2026 Presidents Institute
Council of Independent Colleges
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20036-1142

Registration Fees

The Presidents Institute registration fee includes all program sessions and resources, except for optional events and workshops. In addition, the registration fee covers all Institute breakfasts and lunches as well as the Welcome Dinner, All-Institute Reception, and the Celebration of Independent Higher Education.

	CIC Member Rate	Nonmember Rate
Presi​den​​t	$1,065	$1,400
Presidential Spouse or Partner	$640	$920

Not a CIC member? In addition to reduced registration fees for the Presidents Institute, view the full list of member benefits.

Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program​ (January 3–4)

	CIC Memb​​​er Rate	Nonmember Rate
Presidential Spouse or Partner	$375	$375

Family and Guests

All daytime sessions during the Presidents Institute, including breakfast and lunch sessions, are open only to registered participants. Tickets may be purchased on-site for special guests and family members to participate in the opening night Welcome Dinner on Sunday, January 4. Guest tickets for the Celebration of Higher Education dinner on Tuesday, January 6, may be ordered at the time of registration.

Childcare

Although CIC does not provide childcare services, several options are available through the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

Childcare service may be arranged directly through a private provider recommended by the resort by calling (407) 828-0920 or (800) 696-8105 or by visiting Kid’s Night Out.

The adjacent Waldorf Astoria Orlando also offers WA Kids Club, a specialized service that focuses on activities for children ages 5–12. Stays include kids making their own WA Kids Club “Waldy” T-shirt, poolside scavenger hunts, and craft creations. Advance reservations are required and can be made through the Waldorf Astoria’s concierge or by calling (407) 597-3600.

Spa Services

Spa services are offered at the Waldorf Astoria Spa and Presidents Institute participants will receive a ten percent discount on services. To make appointments, visit the Waldorf Astoria Spa website or call (407) 597-5500 and indicate that you are with CIC.

Dress Guidelines

Business casual or resort casual wear is appropriate throughout the Institute.

CIC Conference Registration and Cancellation Policies

Please note that CIC requires full payment by check, credit card, ACH, or wire transfer 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 December 1. Refund requests received between December 2 and December 15 will incur a charge equal to 25 percent of the total registration fee. Requests received after December 15 and “no shows” are ineligible for a refund. All refunds will be issued after the Institute. Please send cancellation requests to the attention of Alonso De Los Rios, CIC conference coordinator, at adelosrios@cic.edu.

For hotel cancellations, go to your reservation confirmation email to “manage” your reservation or contact Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek at (407) 597-3600.

Contact Information

If you have registration or cancellation questions, contact CIC by phone at (202) 466-7230 or by email at conferences@cic.edu.