Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
Meetings

Conference Circuit: Catholic Higher Education Leaders Think Big

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.

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 is exploring through the theme of its 2015 annual meeting, “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, 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 of the The California Lichen Society. 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 and the Association for Academic Surgery are celebrating a decade of collaboration with the 10th Annual Academic Surgical Congress in Las Vegas. The meeting will bring these groups together once again to explore various tools 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’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 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, or kick back and listen to a stand-up comedy set by Jeff Foxworthy.

(rachaelvoorhees/Flickr)

Julia Haskins

By Julia Haskins

Julia Haskins is a contributor to Associations Now. MORE

Got an article tip for us? Contact us and let us know!


Comments