Registration Is Now Open for the Inaugural Year
Behind every visionary college and university president is an extraordinary team making leadership possible every single day.
At the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), we see firsthand how impactful your work is—not only as the bridge connecting your campus leadership with CIC, but as trusted strategists and problem solvers guiding your institution through an increasingly complex higher education landscape.
Your role is uniquely demanding, deeply impactful, and often carried out behind the scenes. That is why CIC created the Presidential Office Network, a dedicated home built exclusively for you. This network isn’t just another webinar series or email list; it is an inviting, supportive community where you can connect with trusted peers who truly understand the distinct rhythm, confidential challenges, and high stakes of working in the Office of the President. Here, you will find open dialogue, shared wisdom, real camaraderie, and professional renewal.
Who Should Join?
- Eligibility: The network is exclusively open to staff members serving in the Office of the President at CIC member institutions.
- Whole-Team Welcome: Membership in the network is not limited to one participant per campus. Any staff member from the Office of the President who finds the offering of interest is welcome. (This is only for members of the president’s office, not broader teams on campus.)
- Schedule: Programming starts late and registration remains open year-round so anyone on the team can jump in when ready to participate.
Why Connect with the Network?
Working in the president’s office often means navigating situations few others on campus fully grasp. The Presidential Office Network gives you a sounding board, resources, and a circle of trusted colleagues across independent higher education.
- Find Your Peer Community: Join and engage with a community of peers in thoughtful, guided conversations where confidentiality, mutual respect, and shared experience lead the way.
- Shape Practical Solutions Together: Create an experience tailored to your unique office needs while sharing real-world strategies.
- Navigate the Shifting Landscape: Proactively prepare to meet shifting challenges of the presidential office staff by gaining proactive insights and peer perspectives.
- Invest in Your Own Career Growth and Wellbeing: Carve out intentional time for professional development and boundary-setting alongside colleagues who understand.
Topics Designed by Peers, for Peers
Our programming focuses on the real, everyday dynamics of executive leadership support, including:
- Presidential Positioning and Strategic Initiatives
- Relations and Governance
- The Strategic Conductor
- Crisis Response and De-Escalation
- Transition in the President’s Office
- Voice of the Office (the “Quiet Force”)
- Grow Your Role and Professional Renewal
- Setting Sustainable Boundaries
- Optimizing Office Operations and Using AI
If you have an idea for a topic or future session, please contact CIC Presidential Office Network Sr. Advisor, Amy Beth Glass, at aglass@cic.edu.
Inaugural Year Membership Dues
Annual network dues: $1,250 per Institution $0
Through generous support and investment from the CIC Board of Directors, participation in the inaugural year is completely free for all CIC member institutions.
We’d Love to Connect With You
For more information, contact Siena McCabe, senior manager of networks and partnerships, at smccabe@cic.edu.