About the Conference

Hosted on Purdue University’s main campus, this intensive, 12-hour, two-day conference will begin on the afternoon of March 4 and conclude on the afternoon of March 5, 2027.  

Participants will hear from leading organizational scientists and seasoned higher education administrators, engage in facilitated discussions, and share experiences and stories around the table. The program will create space for deep individual and collective reflection on what feels broken in higher education, what can be done to address it, and how we can preserve and further strengthen what remains good and true.     

The conference will be guided by insights from the science and practice of human flourishing in organizations. Together, participants will explore how culture-shifting change can be advanced through:  

• Strategic direction, institutional priorities, and thoughtful resource allocation

• Operational processes and organizational practices

• Policy development and decision-making

• Leadership and team development

• Internal and external communication  

Beyond the in-person conference, we aim to foster a sustained virtual community of higher education leaders who can continue learning from, challenging, and supporting one another over time. This community will create opportunities to share emerging practices, exchange ideas, reflect on leadership challenges, and sustain momentum for change across institutions. By extending the relationships and conversations begun at the conference, we hope the network will serve as an ongoing catalyst for positive change in higher education, strengthening leaders’ collective capacity to shape healthier, more adaptive, and more impactful institutions.

Call for nominations is now open!