Our Legacy & History
The legacy of Catholic higher education is built on strong women leaders and the religious congregations that founded many of our institutions. Today, as lay women step forward to carry this legacy into senior executive and presidential roles, ACCU is dedicated to supporting women to meet modern leadership demands and thrive.
This initiative grew out of a spring 2019 listening session in Chicago, where 12 women executive leaders and 3 veteran presidents identified the need for a dedicated space to enhance their unique contributions. In response, ACCU hosted the inaugural Women Executive Leaders Conference in Washington, DC, in January 2020.
Women’s Leadership Track at the ACCU Annual Meeting: Navigating the Charismatic Pathway
January 30 – February 1, 2027
Grand Hyatt Washington | Washington, DC
Since its beginnings, Catholic higher education has been shaped by and benefitted from the innovative leadership of women religious, whose congregations founded more than half of all Catholic colleges and universities. Today 30% of Catholic institutions are led by women, mostly lay, and ACCU is committed to building and supporting the women’s leadership pipeline.
This is both an exciting and a transformative time for women in Catholic leadership. Pope Francis, through the Synod on Synodality, focused attention on women’s contributions, challenging the Church to expand the “charismatic pathway” for women’s involvement. Pope Leo’s recent leadership appointments demonstrate a continuing commitment to the baptismal calling of women. Catholic higher education, with its history and experience of promoting women, is uniquely positioned to further advance women’s leadership not only in the academy but also in the Church, and to provide the Church with insight and models for change.
The ACCU Annual Meeting Women’s Leadership Track (two concurrent sessions and a breakfast keynote) is intended to be both formative and practical. Sessions will share implications from the Synod on Synodality on advancing women’s leadership in Catholic higher education, provide space for storytelling and address obstacles and strategies for the advancement of women in hiring and retention.
While the content of the track is focused on women’s experience, sessions are open to all interested Annual Meeting attendees.