Leadership

Higher education is navigating a period of significant change, shaped by financial pressures, evolving expectations, and rapid technological advancement. In this environment, effective leadership is what helps institutions adapt, innovate, and thrive.

This track explores how leaders at all levels can navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, build resilient organizations, and empower people to succeed. Leadership is not defined by title alone. It is about building trust, influencing outcomes, and advancing institutional priorities in an evolving landscape.

Target Audience

This track is designed for current and emerging leaders across higher education, including those in academic, administrative, technology, and student service roles, who are committed to advancing institutional priorities, leading change, and creating positive impact within their institutions.

Focus Areas

Every decision we make in higher education should ultimately support student, faculty, and institutional success. We invite proposals that share practical experiences, lessons learned, and fresh perspectives across the following focus areas:

• Leading Through a Reset: How are leaders guiding their organizations through budget constraints, restructuring, changing priorities, and uncertainty while maintaining trust, engagement, and momentum?
• Anchoring Decisions in Student Success: How do leaders ensure that strategy, investments, and difficult decisions remain connected to student outcomes? How do you communicate value in ways that resonate with boards, executives, finance leaders, and staff?
• Leading the Human Side of AI: As AI adoption accelerates, leadership matters as much as technology. Share experiences in building trust, addressing concerns, developing governance frameworks, and helping people adapt to change.
• Inclusion and Belonging in Challenging Times: How can institutions strengthen inclusion, belonging, and psychological safety when resources are constrained? Share approaches that keep these commitments embedded in organizational culture and decision-making.
• From Technology Leader to Institutional Strategist: Technology leaders are increasingly expected to help shape institutional priorities, not just deliver technology solutions. How are leaders connecting technology investments to student success, organizational goals, and financial sustainability?
• Collaboration Over Competition: What does system-wide leadership look like? Share examples of cross-institutional partnerships, shared services, and collaborative initiatives that delivered meaningful outcomes for students and institutions.
• Sustaining Our People: How are leaders supporting employee well-being, preventing burnout, attracting and retaining talent, and developing the next generation of leaders through mentorship, coaching, and professional growth?