Independent higher education has long championed human flourishing amidst the impersonal pressures of economic and technological change. Centering human values such as health, creativity, relationships, integrated knowledge, and vocation, our institutions have the opportunity and the responsibility to lead in a dispirited and increasingly inhumane world. During the 2027 Presidents Institute from January 4–7, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, CIC member presidents will reimagine the ways independent colleges and universities thrive by focusing on human horizons.
CIC’s 2027 Presidents Institute provides presidents, presidential spouses and partners, and independent sector experts an opportunity to explore timely and relevant solutions to a range of pressing issues. Plenary panels will explore the future of human work and human education as well as the regulatory environment for higher education. Concurrent, discussion, and interactive sessions derived from member proposals and feedback will provide peer wisdom on critical issues, including board relations, finances, leadership, partnerships and mergers, artificial intelligence, legal pitfalls, student support, fundraising, and more.
The Presidents Institute is the place to make and deepen professional relationships, find inspiration, and renew your purpose as an independent higher education leader.
Who Should Participate?
Each year, the Presidents Institute convenes over 300 independent college and university presidents. With additional registrants, total participation at the Institute exceeds 700 people. Presidential spouses and partners, industry experts, and retired presidents are all eligible to register for the Institute.
In addition to the main program for presidents (January 4–7), the Institute includes a parallel program for presidential spouses and partners. We also offer the New Presidents Program (NPP) on January 3–4, for CIC member presidents in their first or second year at an independent college or university as well as the parallel program for spouses and partners of new presidents.
Featured Speakers
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Danny Harris
Executive Director, Aspen Socrates Program
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Allison Pugh
Professor of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University
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Jorge Gonzalez
President in Residence, Council of Independent Colleges
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Mary Helen Immordino-Yang
Founding Director, University of Southern California Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning, and Education
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Harry Dumay
President, Elms College
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Marjorie Hass
President, Council of Independent Colleges
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Barbara K. Mistick
President, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Plenary Sessions
Human Horizons
What is necessary for human beings to flourish? What are the humane values we champion as independent higher education leaders? We will explore these fundamental questions about our human-centered work as higher education leaders in this interactive, thought-provoking experience introducing the 2027 Presidents Institute.
Danny Harris, Executive Director, Aspen Socrates Program
The Future of Human Work
Join us for a conversation between Allison Pugh, author of The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World and Jorge Gonzalez, CIC’s president in residence. Even as AI and automation encroach on jobs requiring human connection, humane work will continue to be necessary for social health. The uniquely human jobs of the future, both on campus and off, will need to be based on emotional recognition, empathy, and relationships.
Jorge Gonzalez, President in Residence, Council of Independent Colleges
Allison Pugh, Professor of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University
The Future of Human Education
Richard Ekman Keynote Address in Higher Education
This conversation between Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, founder of the University of Southern California Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE), and Harry Dumay, president of Elms College and CIC board chair, will focus on how human values, beliefs, and ethics are biologically integrated into human brains, directly shaping how we build meaning, identity, and purpose. Immordino-Yang’s research suggests that healthy humans require education based on social connection, autobiographical narrative, transcendent thinking, and civic reasoning.
Harry Dumay, President, Elms College and CIC Board Chair
Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, Fahmy and Donna Attallah Professor of Humanistic Psychology and Founding Director, University of Southern California Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning, and Education, University of Southern California
The Policy Agenda for Independent Higher Education
Decisions made in the nation’s capital continue to have a tremendous impact on the higher education landscape. This year’s conversation will focus on the current federal legislative and policy agenda as well as how independent higher education’s human centered work informs its value proposition.
Marjorie Hass, President, Council of Independent Colleges
Barbara K. Mistick, President, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Pre-Institute Programs
January 3–4
Please note: Pre-registration is required for these programs.
New Presidents Program
Since 1989, more than 1,700 new presidents have participated in CIC’s New Presidents Program. Independent colleges and universities face unique challenges: they lack the scale, visibility, and coordinated support of larger systems, yet they must navigate the same complex leadership demands. This program provides the relevant tools and wise counsel that keep a young presidency on a smooth course while strengthening the mission-driven, student-centered work that defines independent higher education.
The agenda focuses on practical needs and resources to help participants avoid early pitfalls while capitalizing on immediate opportunities. Ample time for formal and informal conversation allows participants to build community with peers who understand the distinctive opportunities and constraints of leading an independent institution.
Participants point to these features as particularly valuable:
- The program makes efficient use of time and represents excellent value
- Presenters are current or recently retired CIC presidents and spouses or partners who understand the needs of their new colleagues
- New presidents create professional networks with colleagues who often continue to serve as informal advisors as their institutions evolve and their leadership needs change
- Participants develop friendships with trusted peers who can provide confidential support and counsel on sensitive and consequential issues
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program
The Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program runs concurrently with CIC’s New Presidents Program prior to the Presidents Institute. This special experience is designed to help participants:
- Deepen their understanding of the presidential spouse or partner role
- Build lasting connections with others who share similar responsibilities
- Discover practical tools and insights for success and personal fulfillment in the role
This program provides a supportive, intimate, and confidential environment for participants as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of their new position. A small team of experienced presidential spouses leads the group through a comprehensive exploration of the spouse and partner role and helps each participant understand how they can serve most effectively and with personal fulfillment.
Preliminary Schedule
(Schedule subject to change)
7:45 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
New Presidents Program
7:45 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program
7:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
New Presidents Program
7:15 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program
5:00–6:15 p.m.
Opening Plenary: Human Horizons
6:15–8:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner
7:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Spouses and Partners Program
7:00–8:30 a.m.
Affinity Meetings
8:30–9:30 a.m.
Plenary: The Future of Human Work
9:30–10:00 a.m.
Networking
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
- Data-informed Strategy Development in Higher Education
- The Collaborative Advantage
- The Existential Art of the Mega Gift
- Presidential Bandwidth Is Finite
- Perspectives on the Purposeful Student-Athlete
- Campus Finance for Non-Finance Leaders
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Lunch Meetings and Networking
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Discussion Sessions
- The Cost of Magical Thinking
- From Curious to Capable: An AI Tools Bootcamp
- The Future of NCAA Division III Intercollegiate Athletics
- How to Find a Million Dollars Through Institutional Savings
- A Presidential Approach to Federal Engagement and Earmarks
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Information Session: CIC Online Course Sharing Consortium
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
- AI Strategy: How Small Colleges are Thinking Deeply
- Boards: Beyond the Basics
- Campaign Resilience in Action
- Legal Issues that Keep Presidents Up at Night
- Spouses and Partners Joint Session: Two Careers One Campus: Navigating the Presidency and Your Partner’s Career
- Stronger Together: A Presidential Playbook for Strategic Alliances
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Information Session: CIC Campus Free Expression Project
3:30–4:45 p.m.
Networking
7:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Spouses and Partners Program
7:00–8:30 a.m.
Affinity Meetings
8:30–9:30 a.m.
Richard Ekman Keynote Address in Higher Education: The Future of Human Education
9:30–10:00 a.m.
Networking
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
- Benefits and Barriers to Cross Border Higher Education
- The Growth Trap: Are Small Colleges Solving the Wrong Problem?
- The Human-Centered Presidency
- A New Institutional Impact Framework for Evaluating the Benefits of Intergenerational Learning Programs
- Enrollment Strategy in an Era of Hypercompetition
- Spouses and Partners Joint Session: Leading Beyond Campus: Community Engagement as a Presidential Partnership
10:00–11:00 a.m.
Information Session: CIC Networks
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Lunch Meetings and Networking
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Discussion Sessions
- How Athletics Can Drive Sustainable Enrollment
- How Presidents Are Doing More with Less
- Pursuing Resiliency
- Scaling Experiential Learning for Student Success and Institutional Growth
- Stagnation is Not an Option
- When Fewer Donors Carry More Weight
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Information Session: CIC Partnerships and Mergers Project
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Networking
2:30–3:45 p.m.
Interactive Sessions
- Financial Sustainability and Runway Analyses
- From AI Anxiety to AI Advantage
- Shared Governance in a Time of Change
- Succession Planning with Intention
- To Compete Better, Collaborate
- Under Siege: Higher Education and the ICE Metro Surge
2:30–3:45 p.m.
Information Session: CIC Insights Tool
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Celebration of Independent Higher Education
7:45–8:30 a.m.
CIC Annual Business Meeting
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Closing Plenary: The Policy Agenda for Independent Higher Education
10:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Financial Challenges and Strategies Workshop
Post-Institute Workshop
January 7
10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Please note: Pre-registration is required for this workshop.
Financial Challenges and Strategies
(Open only to currently serving college and university presidents. Before attending the workshop, participants are encouraged to attend sessions on finances, enrollment strategy, advancement, and partnership solutions. Participants are also encouraged to talk to attending industry partners about their products and services. The workshop will have a session on the best way to work with industry partners)
This interactive workshop will equip presidents with strategies to analyze and address the most pressing financial challenges they are facing on campus. The opening session will help participants understand the general symptoms, origins, and severity of structural deficits and other financial difficulties. Then participants will analyze their institution’s particular financial hurdles and develop solutions to overcome them. Attendees will also discuss how best to work with industry partners to cut costs and generate revenue and participate in case study exercises that tackle the often tricky challenge of implementing real change. Throughout, presidents will also share insights and receive feedback from peers, coming away with actional frameworks, approaches, and tools to better address financial concerns.
Facilitators:
Paul Friga, Clinical Professor of Strategy, University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business; Consultant, AGB Consulting
Mike Maxey, President Emeritus, Roanoke College (VA); Senior Consultant and Senior Academic Coach, Academic Search
Hotel and Travel
Hotel Reservations
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
1 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 564-3333
Presidents Institute Room Rate:
$279 single/double per night
Hotel Reservation Deadline for CIC Rate:
December 1, 2026
Hotel Reservation Procedure: 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 Hilton San Diego Bayfront.
The Presidents Institute registration and hotel reservation deadline is December 1, 2026. 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 Hilton San Diego Bayfront is a waterfront hotel overlooking San Diego Bay. It is near the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park, and within proximity to the Seaport Village, San Diego Zoo, and USS Midway Museum. The hotel features six dining venues including Starbucks. Amenities include a heated bayfront pool, a state-of-the-art fully equipped fitness center, bike rentals and a complimentary daily shuttle to the Hotel del Coronado Beach (scroll to the bottom of the page for shuttle times).
Valet parking at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront is $75 overnight with self-parking available at a discounted rate of $30 for participants. (Valet rate as of June 2026.)
Transportation
The Hilton San Diego Bayfront is located approximately 3 miles from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Complimentary airport shuttles are available between terminals and the rental car center. Taxi and Ride Share services are available through several companies listed on the airport website. Uber, Lyft, Opoli, and Wingz are authorized to operate at the San Diego International Airport. The cost of using one of these services to travel to the hotel is approximately $25–30 one-way.
Automobile Rental
Several car rental companies have partnered with the San Diego International Airport to operate at the Rental Car Center. A complimentary shuttle bus runs continuously between the Rental Car Center and airport terminals.
Train Service
Amtrak Intercity and COASTER trains connect Los Angeles, Orange County, and coastal North County to downtown San Diego. For more information visit Amtrak California and the COASTER websites.
Registration Information
To ensure timely preparation of accurate and complete conference materials, please register for the Institute by December 1, 2026.
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 Presidents Institute
ACH confirmations may be sent to: cicaccounting@cic.edu
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
Mail a check payable to “Council of Independent Colleges,” with a memo indicating the check is for the Presidents Institute and a printout of your online registration page, to:
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 and the Celebration of Independent Higher Education.
| CIC Member Rate | Nonmember Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| President | $1,090 | $1,430 |
| Presidential Spouse or Partner | $655 | $940 |
| Retired President | $740 | N/A |
Not a CIC member? In addition to reduced registration fees for the Presidents Institute, view the full list of member benefits.
New Presidents Program (January 3–4)
| CIC Member Rate | Nonmember Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| President | $500 | $500 |
Spouses and Partners of New Presidents Program (January 3–4)
| CIC Member Rate | Nonmember Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Spouse or Partner | $385 | $385 |
Optional Workshop (January 7)
(Advance registration is required as the workshop has a limited number of spaces.)
| CIC Member Rate | Nonmember Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Challenges | $85 | $85 |
Retired President Eligibility
CIC welcomes retired presidents who wish to participate in the Presidents Institute and remain involved in discussions of professional matters with former colleagues. Retired presidents who work for a sponsoring firm should participate in the Institute as one of the firm’s representatives, not as a retired president. Please direct questions about eligibility to register as a retired president to Jeff Woods, CIC vice president for member engagement, at jwoods@cic.edu.
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’s Welcome Dinner on January 4. Guest tickets for the Celebration of Higher Education Dinner on January 6 may be ordered at the time of registration.
Childcare
Although neither CIC nor the Hilton San Diego Bayfront provides childcare services, the hotel is family-friendly and offers several features and nearby activities well-suited for children:
On-Site Amenities for Kids
- The Pool Club: The hotel features a large, heated waterfront outdoor pool and a splash zone area that is popular with families.
Nearby Family-Friendly Attractions
- Seaport Village: A scenic, walkable waterfront area nearby with a historic 1895 carousel, casual dining, and kite flying.
- Coronado Island; Located across the bay from downtown San Diego. Known as “Crown City,” it is the home of the iconic Victorian Hotel del Coronado and features wide, sparkling beaches. There are daily buses from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s Promenade East Entrance and to the Hotel del Coronado. See bus schedule.
- Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres): Located right across the pedestrian skybridge
- San Diego Zoo (in Balboa Park): The world-famous 100-acre wildlife park that is home to over 12,000 rare and endangered animals, including more than 650 species and subspecies. Also check out Balboa Park’s museums, and Old Town San Diego that are a quick 10- to 15-minute drive or rideshare away.
- The New Children’s Museum: Located just a short walk away in downtown San Diego, featuring interactive art installations and hands-on play spaces.
- Participants may also take advantage of additional attractions and activities through San Diego’s “Show Your Badge” program, which offers discounts to certain venues and activities around the city.
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, in writing, to the attention of CIC Conferences at conferences@cic.edu.
For hotel cancellations, follow the link from your reservation confirmation email or contact Hilton San Diego Bayfront at (619) 564-3333.
Contact Information
If you have registration or cancellation questions, contact CIC by email at conferences@cic.edu.