Institutions of higher education in the United States are at a pivotal moment, facing declining public trust and growing questions about their legitimacy, effectiveness, and societal role. Addressing these challenges will require more than incremental reform; it calls for a  cultural transformation in higher education leadership .

The Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence invites nominations for an exclusive, invitation-only conference designed to inspire and support this transformation.  The conference will bring together a select cohort of 50 administrative leaders from Purdue University and peer institutions across the United States who are committed to shaping a stronger future for higher education.      

This conference aims to challenge, inspire, and equip leaders to lead with confidence, empathy, and humility.  Through cutting-edge research, real-world cases, and facilitated peer dialogue, participants will explore evidence-based approaches for building trust, strengthening culture, leading through uncertainty, and advancing human flourishing. Attendees will leave with renewed hope and agency, along with practical tools for driving culture-shifting change in strategy, operations, policy, and communication.