Institute for New Presidents

Opening Prayer

Welcome, Participant Introductions, and Overview
Marc Camille, President, Albertus Magnus College
Sr. Chris De Vinne, OSU, President, Ursuline College

Catholic Universities as a Ministry of the Church
Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, CM, President, ACCU

This opening session sets the purposes and current challenges facing Catholic higher education within their recent historical context, as well as the ministerial hopes of the larger Church. A 30,000-foot flyover of key Church documents related to Catholic higher education is designed to equip you for conversations on campus and to assist you in developing positive working relationships with your local bishop and sponsoring congregation.

 Coffee Break

Communicating and Leading Catholic Mission Effectively
Marc M. Camille, President, Albertus Magnus College
Susan M. Donovan, President, Bellarmine University

This session will be led by two presidents who have extensive experience in handling institutional communications effectively. They will walk you through methodologies for developing strategic communications across campus, incorporating university mission and Catholic identity into student recruitment and marketing messaging, and also ways to effectively step into the fray of larger societal issues, when warranted.

Canon and Civil Law Issues in Catholic Higher Education: Essentials for the President
Mark Chopko, JD, Chair, Nonprofit & Religious Organizations, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP; former general counsel for the USCCB.
Msgr. William King, canon lawyer and Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Mechanicsburg, PA; former vicar general for the Diocese of Harrisburg.

What are the canon and civil laws related to the Catholic mission of your campus? What are the legal implications of "hiring for mission"? Led by experts in civil and canon law, this session will offer the essential legal issues presidents need to know related to hiring practices, land ownership, reserved powers of the sponsoring religious congregation, religious freedom issues, and more. Topics will be covered with a keen eye to the letter and spirit of both canon and civil law.

 Lunch 

Navigating the Board – Issues of Catholic Identity and University Mission
Thomas F. Flynn, Senior Fellow, ACCU and AGB

What is the role of the board in safeguarding the mission in partnership with the president? What are some ways to effectively form new board members with regard to mission? Experienced Catholic higher education president and a leader in issues of governance, Tom Flynn, will discuss answers to these questions and more, including ways to work with your board to advance the Catholic mission of your institution. He will share best practices for engaging with board members and will share some of the typical governance challenges presidents face.

 Break

Organizational Structures for Mission
Michael Higgins, Vice President for Mission and Catholic Identity, Sacred Heart University; past president of St. Thomas University and St. Jerome’s University in Canada
Sr. Chris De Vinne, OSU, President, Ursuline College

What are some proven ways to organize your administration for mission? How can you effectively develop intentional mission orientation strategies across the institution? This session will explore organizational structures such as a presidential seminar for mission, president's mission council, and cabinet-level mission officer, as well as mission committees. Attendees will consider which structures would strengthen their own institutional and sponsorship context.

The Presidency and Spiritual Development
Rev. Thomas Curran, SJ, President, Rockhurst University
Dottie King, President, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

You are aware that students, staff, and faculty are invited to transform their spiritual life on campus. Do you also look for ways to develop your own spirituality as you lead the charism and traditions of your institution? This session will offer ways to integrate personal spiritual growth with the leadership demands of the presidency. Session leaders will present effective spiritual practices that will help you in managing the realities of the office alongside family and other life obligations. Session leaders will deeply explore the presidency as a vocational calling and will invite you to do the same.

Concluding Thoughts
David Sylvester, President, University of St. Michael’s College (at University of Toronto)

 Break

 5:15 - 6:00 p.m. 

Reception with New Presidents and ACCU Board of Directors
Spouses are welcome.

Dinner for New Presidents and Spouses