2026 Legal & Public Policy Conference

September 21 - 23, 2026
Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO

OVERVIEW

The CCCU is excited to host our fifth annual Legal and Public Policy Conference on the campus of Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado. The legal and policy landscape for Christian higher education is evolving—fast. This conference brings together top legal minds, policy experts and institutional leaders to explore the most pressing issues facing faith-based colleges and universities today.

The topics and conversations that will be part of this gathering will provide timely insight and practical guidance on how to lead your institution with both conviction and compliance.

Whether you’re a president, general counsel, cabinet member or HR leader, this event will equip you to anticipate challenges and strengthen your institution’s mission in a shifting cultural and legal environment.

INFORMATION

Information regarding registration, pricing, accommodations, speakers, sponsors and more will be shared in the coming weeks
Save these dates as you make plans to join us in September!

AGENDA

While most components for this gathering are complete, additional details are still being finalized. This schedule will be updated as those details are confirmed in the coming weeks.

4:00 PM  |  Registration

 

5:00 – 7:00 PM  |  Welcome, Worship, Opening Dinner & Keynote

 

8:00 AM  |  Breakfast at Hotel
8:45 – 9:00 AM   |  Devotional

 

9:00 – 10:20 AM  |  Plenary Session 1

 

  • “Litigation as a Business Mode”
  • Well-intended legal protections such as the ADA, copyright law, and environmental and mold standards are increasingly being leveraged by cottage industries whose business model depends on technical violations rather than meaningful harm. This session will examine how these practices operate, why institutions are frequent targets, and what leaders can do legally and operationally to reduce exposure while staying true to the purpose of the law.
10:20 – 10:35 AM  |  Morning Break
10:40 AM – 11:45 AM  |  Plenary Session 2

 

  • “Church Autonomy and Hiring”
  • The Ninth Circuit’s decision in Union Gospel Mission suggests that church autonomy may now protect hiring decisions involving non-ministerial employees. That development raises foundational questions about the future of Title VII and the proper boundaries of constitutional protection. Some religious liberty scholars welcome the shift; others argue it stretches church autonomy beyond its intended limits. This session will examine the implications for hiring, accountability, and the long-term structure of religious employment law.
    • Steve Sandberg
    • John Melcon
11:50 AM – 12:45 PM  |  Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 PM  |  Plenary Session 3

 

1:45 – 2:45 PM  |  Plenary Session 4

 

  • “The Financial Future of Christian Higher Education”
  • Colleges and universities face growing threats in cybersecurity—from phishing schemes to ransomware attacks—and the legal landscape is just as complex as the technical one. What are the legal obligations before, during, and after a data breach? And what happens when your institution is the one under attack? In this session, attorney Ben Wanger will walk through the legal framework surrounding data security in higher education, including regulatory obligations, breach notification requirements and risk management strategies. Joining him is attorney Terry Kollmorgen from Oral Roberts University, who helped navigate a real-world cybersecurity incident. Together, they will offer legal insights, lessons learned and questions every campus attorney should be asking before a breach happens. Attendees will gain practical guidance on navigating the legal and operational realities of a cybersecurity event in the higher education context.
    • CapinCrouse
2:45 – 3:00 PM  |  Afternoon Break
3:00 – 4:00 PM  |  Plenary Session 5

Great Hall

  • “Regulatory and Advocacy Update”
  • From “Dear Colleague” letters to federal agency regulations and congressional activity, the policy landscape is shifting rapidly—and Christian colleges are uniquely positioned at the intersection of many of these developments. In this session, Aaron Lacey will provide a comprehensive update on key policy changes affecting higher education and religious liberty. Attendees will gain insights into recent executive actions and legislative initiatives, with a special focus on how these changes impact faith-based institutions.
    • Aaron Lacey
4:00 – 5:15 PM  |  Plenary Session 6

 

  • “Building Policy Awareness In-House”
  • Effective engagement with public policy does not require a large government relations office, but it does require intentional ownership. This panel explores different institutional models for government relations, including full-time roles and shared responsibilities. Panelists will discuss how organizations can stay informed, responsive, and proactive in policy matters while navigating limited resources and competing priorities.
5:15 PM  |  Dinner On Own
8:00 AM  |  Breakfast at Hotel
8:45 – 9:00 AM   |  Devotion

 

9:00 – 11:20 AM  |  Crisis Simulation: When Campus Issues Go Public

 

  • Student group recognition disputes can quickly escalate from internal policy questions to public flashpoints involving social media campaigns, faculty speech, and donor intervention. This session opens with a discussion of institutional policies and guiding principles, including fairness, free expression, and risk management. Participants will then engage in a crisis simulation that introduces escalating scenarios such as online harassment, faculty advocacy or opposition, donor involvement, and pressure from outside organizations with their own requirements. The goal is to test institutional responses under pressure and surface practical lessons for leadership teams.
11:30 – 11:45 AM  |  Grab Buffett Lunch
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM  | Plenary Session 6

 

12:45 PM – 2:00 PM  | Plenary Session 7

 

2:00 PM  |  Closing Remarks and Meeting Adjourns
  • David Hoag, President, CCCU
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