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David Dodds Henry Lecture Series Symposium Agenda

Symposium Agenda: Future of Higher Education Leadership

Future of Higher Education Leadership Symposium Agenda

Theme: Leading Higher Education into a Thrivable Future

Location: Renaissance Downtown Chicago
Date: March 26, 2026
Conference Description: Higher education is at a crossroads. A looming demographic cliff. Declining public trust. Mounting threats to the research ecosystem. Rising risks of global isolation. These forces are converging to create unprecedented challenges. The question is not only how we will reimagine higher education itself, but how we will reimagine the way we lead colleges, universities, and systems through this turbulence. This symposium, anchored by the David Dodds Henry Lecture, brings together thought leaders from across the sector to wrestle with these questions. Together, we will explore new models of leadership and collaboration that can move our institutions beyond survival, toward a thriving future.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Conference Registration / Coffee

10:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Plenary

Welcome: Tim Killeen, President, University of Illinois System

David Dodds Henry Lecture: The Future of Higher Education Leadership: Rebuilding the Public Trust

Speaker: Robert Jones, President, University of Washington

This plenary will frame the symposium by examining the leadership challenges of the coming decade and offering visions for how presidents and system leaders can guide higher education to thrive in uncertain times.

11:45 – 12:00 p.m.

Break

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 – 1:15 p.m.

Break

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

Plenary Session

Funding the Future: Rethinking Partnerships with Philanthropy and Beyond

A candid conversation on how universities and funders can co-create solutions that strengthen higher education’s sustainability and societal impact.

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Plenary Session

Navigating Toward the Future: Leading Today’s Universities into Tomorrow

A discussion with university leaders about the challenges and opportunities of leading their universities and how they are positioning them to be in a strong position tomorrow.

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.

Break

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Closing Plenary

Partnering for the Future: Collaboration for a Thriving Tomorrow

Synthesizing lessons from across the symposium to chart new models of higher education leadership that move beyond survival to build thrivable futures for higher education and the communities we serve.

4:45 – 5:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Celebratory Reception

Celebratory reception open to all attendees to honor Robert Jones as the David Dodds Henry Lecturer.