--- title: "Conference Circuit: Catholic Higher Education Leaders Think Big" id: "27008" type: "post" slug: "conference-circuit-catholic-higher-education-leaders-think-big" published_at: "2015-01-29T22:04:01+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T13:25:58+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/01/29/conference-circuit-catholic-higher-education-leaders-think-big/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/01/29/conference-circuit-catholic-higher-education-leaders-think-big.md" excerpt: "The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities' yearly meeting encourages members to embrace innovative problem solving. Plus: A cattle industry convention that lives up to one of Texas' claims to fame." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "conferences" - "higher education" - "Leadership" - "Meetings" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Conference Circuit: Catholic Higher Education Leaders Think Big Leaders in religious higher education face the unique challenge of embracing forward-thinking solutions while holding fast to the values that have shaped their institutions. It’s this delicate balance that the [Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (opens in a new tab)](http://www.accunet.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1) is exploring through the theme of its [2015 annual meeting (opens in a new tab)](http://www.accunet.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3958) , “Bold Vision, Courageous Voices: Forming a New Generation.” “Today, when headlines paint a bleak picture of higher education, with tales of imposed rating systems, strained finances, and turnover at the top, our sector can interject a unique voice,” ACCU says [in a summary of the event (opens in a new tab)](http://www.accunet.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3958) , to be held this weekend in Washington, DC. This outlook is emphasized by sessions such as “Bold Voices: New Ways of Leading,” in which a panel of college and university presidents will discuss innovative approaches to leading Catholic higher education. Student efforts to respond to the challenges of the day will be highlighted in a screening of “Bold Vision, Courageous Voices: Students Respond to a World in Need.” And Chris Lowney, author of *Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads,* rounds out the meeting with a discussion of how Catholic higher education executives can follow the Holy Father’s leadership example. ### The Week Ahead **January 31:** Lichen enthusiasts will enjoy a day jam-packed with the fungus-dwelling organisms at the [2015 annual meeting (opens in a new tab)](http://californialichens.org/2015/cals-annual-meeting-january-31-2015/) of the [The California Lichen Society (opens in a new tab)](http://californialichens.org/) . The event in Redwood City, California, includes a field trip to Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, where attendees might be lucky enough to spot rare lichens like *Cladonia*, *Peltigera,* and *Leptogium* in their natural habitat. **February 3-5:** The [Society of University Surgeons (opens in a new tab)](http://www.susweb.org/) and the [Association for Academic Surgery (opens in a new tab)](http://www.aasurg.org/) are celebrating a decade of collaboration with the [10th Annual Academic Surgical Congress (opens in a new tab)](http://www.academicsurgicalcongress.org/) in Las Vegas. The meeting will bring these groups together once again to [explore various tools (opens in a new tab)](http://www.academicsurgicalcongress.org/pdfs/Conference-Schedule.pdf) to gain a professional edge, from social media strategy to negotiating skills. ### Down the Line **February 4-7:** They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and the [National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (opens in a new tab)](http://www.beefusa.org/Default.aspx) ’s event in San Antonio is no exception. Billed as the oldest and largest convention for the cattle business, the [Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show (opens in a new tab)](http://www.beefusa.org/abouttheconvention.aspx) will present sessions and activities with a distinct down-home flair. Attendees can revel in all things Lone Star State at the [Nothin’ But Texas Party (opens in a new tab)](http://www.beefusa.org/convfeaturedevents.aspx) , or kick back and listen to a stand-up comedy set by [Jeff Foxworthy (opens in a new tab)](https://www.facebook.com/BeefUSA/posts/10152200437577681) . (rachaelvoorhees/Flickr) [Julia Haskins](https://associationsnow.com/author/julia-haskins/) Julia Haskins is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/julia-haskins/) Tags: [#conferences](https://associationsnow.com/tag/conferences/) [#higher education](https://associationsnow.com/tag/higher-education/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAshley Cobb Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/ashley-cobb-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoJenny Teeson, CHSE Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/jenny-teeson-chse-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoLakisha Woods, CAE Shares Her Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/lakisha-woods-cae-shares-her-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoKevin Hesser Shares His Experience at the 2025 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/08/12/kevin-hesser-shares-his-experience-at-the-2025-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F01%2F29%2Fconference-circuit-catholic-higher-education-leaders-think-big%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !