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Now in its eighth year, this dynamic event offers forward-thinking content designed to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of higher education. Join us and reserve your spot for both days by registering today.
Who should attend
This session is designed for presidents, CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, controllers, and other administrators at higher education institutions.
Register for both dates
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CTVirtual Conference Agenda
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT
Introduction and housekeeping
Speakers: Anthony Pember, CLA, Leah Lindstrom, CLA, Dr. Tim Borchers, West Liberty University
Explore strategic approaches to managing tuition dependency, auxiliary revenues, and long-term financial planning amid shifting market forces. Learn from leaders who have successfully tackled financial stress and program analysis in their institutions.
- Identify key drivers of tuition dependency and financial vulnerability
- Identify auxiliary revenue opportunities to strengthen financial performance
- Discuss scenario planning to support long-term financial resilience
- Recall program-level data to guide portfolio and resource decisions
- Recognize leadership approaches for navigating financial stress
10-min break
Speakers: Chris Blackburn, CLA, Deirdre Hodgson, CLA
Delve into the evolving role of artificial intelligence and technology in campus operations, teaching, accessibility, and ethics. Discover how digital readiness is shaping the educational landscape and fostering innovation.
- Identify practical AI use cases across campus operations that improve efficiency and service
- Recognize instructional AI tools to enhance learning while safeguarding academic integrity
- Identify accessibility standards to support inclusive design in AI and digital platforms
- Recognize core ethical considerations and governance practices for responsible AI adoption
- Describe digital readiness maturity and prioritize investments that foster innovation
10-min break
Speakers: Matt Hoverman, CLA, Marion Candrea, Boston University, Sheri Copanic, University of Toledo
Higher education institutions face a rapidly changing risk landscape shaped by regulatory pressures, technological advancements, and evolving societal expectations. This course explores the historical progression and modern transformation of risk management practices within colleges and universities. Participants will gain an understanding of how risk management has shifted from reactive compliance to proactive, enterprise-wide strategies that align with institutional mission and vision.
- Describe the evolution of risk management in higher education and its strategic importance
- Identify key drivers behind the transition to enterprise risk management (ERM)
- Recognize emerging risks and practical steps institutions can take to mitigate them
- Identify leading practices to strengthen governance and safeguard institutional reputation
5-min break
Speakers: Jean Bushong, CLA, Damon Berry, Ballard Spahr, Kendall Thompson, Clemson University
Analyze the impact of the House settlement and name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies across D1, D2, and D3 schools. Discuss how colleges are adapting to new regulations and strategies for recruiting and retaining athletes in a shifting environment.
- Identify key changes introduced by the House settlement and their implications for athletic departments
- Recognize how NIL policies differ across D1, D2, and D3 institutions
- Identify institutional strategies for complying with evolving regulations
- Recall approaches colleges are using to recruit and retain athletes amid shifting competitive pressures
- Discuss emerging challenges and opportunities created by the new compensation landscape
Closing remarks
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 — 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT
Introduction and housekeeping
Speakers: Mike Johns, CLA, Chrissy Bowman, CLA
Review the latest compliance changes in higher education, including those from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Get an overview of new accounting standards impacting institutions of higher education and certain changes in the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide related to single audits.
- Identify key changes resulting from OBBBA
- Discuss the impact of new accounting standards on your institution's financial statements
- Recall how the revised Audit and Accounting Guide may influence audit scope and documentation requirements
- Discuss changes in the 2025 compliance supplement
10-min break
Speakers: Carey Heyman, CLA, Mike Griffin, Savills, Jennifer Condon, University of South Florida, Vanessa Aguirre, Claremont Colleges Services
Investigate funding strategies for aging infrastructure and campus modernization. Learn how to manage real estate assets, incorporate private/public partnerships, and prioritize modernization initiatives for long-term success.
- Identify funding strategies for addressing aging infrastructure and long-term capital needs
- Discuss approaches for effectively managing campus real estate assets
- Recognize when and how to leverage private/public partnerships to support modernization
- Identify how to prioritize modernization initiatives using data-informed criteria and institutional goals
- Discuss practices that position institutions for sustainable, future-focused capital investment
10-min break
Speaker: Kevin Villanueva, CLA
Emerging cyber and operational threats are reshaping higher education as institutions prepare for 2026. This session explores AI‑driven attacks and deepfakes in academia, growing supply chain and third‑party risks, and rising vulnerabilities in cloud ecosystems. Attendees will also gain practical insight into the security implications of quantum computing and steps campuses can take now to prepare.
- Identify how AI-driven attacks and deepfakes are evolving and the risks they pose to academic environments
- Recognize the vulnerabilities stemming from supply chain dependencies and third-party service providers
- Recognize core security challenges associated with cloud services in higher education
- Discuss the long-term security implications of quantum computing and steps institutions can take to prepare
5-min break
Speakers: Fola Abiola-Banjac, CLA, Lea Wyatt, CLA
Colleges and universities manage substantial financial resources, making strong oversight essential to safeguarding assets, maintaining compliance, and protecting institutional reputation. We’ll help you identify the warning signs and common forms of fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) that can threaten higher education environments. You'll gain practical insight into how these issues emerge — and learn effective approaches to address them — so your campus can operate with greater integrity, accountability, and efficiency.
- Identify the common signs, patterns, and types of fraud, waste, and abuse that occur within higher education environments
- Recognize the factors that increase institutional vulnerability and understand how fraud develops, including cultural and internal control red flags
- Recall strategies to prevent, detect, and correct FWA through stronger governance, internal controls, and ethical accountability
- Recall how to apply practical approaches that help foster a secure, transparent, and integrity-driven campus culture
Closing remarks
Questions?
Contact CLA’s meetings, events, and experience team at CLAevents@CLAconnect.com.
CPE
2/18 Day 1 - 4 CPE credits available: 1 credit Finance; 2 credits Specialized Knowledge; 1 credit Information Technology
2/25 Day 2 - 4 CPE credits available: 1 credit Accounting (Governmental); 2 credits Specialized Knowledge; 1 credit Behavioral Ethics
Prerequisites: None
Program level: Overview
Advance preparation: None
Delivery method: Group Internet Based
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