2025 CCCU Imago Dei Conference
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
OVERVIEW
The 2025Â CCCU Imago Dei Conference: Pursuing Biblical Diversity, Belonging, and Hospitality is designed to be a space for educators within the CCCU to engage one another in dialogue, critical thinking and networking. The conference will include keynote sessions and workshops that showcase research and best practices on strategic campus transformation that will meet the needs of all students.
Additional information and exciting announcements regarding speakers, agenda and more will be updated here over the coming weeks and months.
AGENDA
Please note that this is a tentative agenda that will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Wednesday October 8, 2025
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm        Pre-Conference
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm        Registration / Information Desk
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm        Welcome Reception
Thursday October 9, 2025
8:00 am – 5:00 pm        Registration / Information Desk
7:30 am – 8:30 am        Breakfast on Your Own
8:30 am – 9:15 am        Opening Session / Welcome Remarks
-
-
-
- Dr. David Hoag, President, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
- Dr. Jon Kulaga, President, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU)
-
-
9:15 am – 9:45 am        Worship & Devotion
9:45 am – 10:45 am    Plenary Session 1
10:45 am – 11:00 am    Morning Break
11:00 am – 12:15 pm    Concurrent Sessions
-
-
-
- Track 1:Â Reimagining Institutions: Leading Change Rooted in Biblical Diversity and Unity
- Track 2:Â Designing Pathways of Belonging and Student Success: Integrating Curricular and Co-Curricular Strategies
- Track 3:Â Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships and Strategies to Advance Biblical Diversity
-
-
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm      Lunch – IWU Baldwin Dining Hall
1:45 pm – 3:00 pm        Concurrent Sessions
-
-
-
- Track 1:Â Reimagining Institutions: Leading Change Rooted in Biblical Diversity and Unity
- Track 2:Â Designing Pathways of Belonging and Student Success: Integrating Curricular and Co-Curricular Strategies
- Track 3:Â Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships and Strategies to Advance Biblical Diversity
-
-
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm        Afternoon Break
3:30 pm – 4:45 pm        Concurrent Sessions
-
-
-
- Track 1:Â Reimagining Institutions: Leading Change Rooted in Biblical Diversity and Unity
- Track 2:Â Designing Pathways of Belonging and Student Success: Integrating Curricular and Co-Curricular Strategies
- Track 3:Â Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships and Strategies to Advance Biblical Diversity
-
-
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm        Plenary Session 2
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm        Open Evening
Friday October 10, 2025
8:00 am – 9:00 am        Breakfast on Your Own
9:00 am – 9:30 am        Worship & Devotion
9:30 am – 10:15 am      Plenary Session 3
10:15 am – 10:45 am    Morning Break
10:45 am – 12:00 pm    Concurrent Sessions
-
-
-
- Track 1:Â Reimagining Institutions: Leading Change Rooted in Biblical Diversity and Unity
- Track 2:Â Designing Pathways of Belonging and Student Success: Integrating Curricular and Co-Curricular Strategies
- Track 3:Â Cultivating Collaborative Partnerships and Strategies to Advance Biblical Diversity
-
-
12:00 pm             Meeting Adjourns
Conference Speakers
Pastor Corey Brooks
Pastor Corey Brooks
Pastor Corey Brooks is a dedicated leader, visionary pastor and nationally recognized community activist committed to transforming lives and revitalizing underserved communities. As the senior pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago, located in the heart of the South Side’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Pastor Brooks has spent more than two decades fighting for peace, justice and economic opportunity for the residents of Chicago’s most vulnerable areas.
In 2011, Pastor Brooks gained national attention for his 94-day rooftop vigil, where he camped atop an abandoned motel to raise awareness and funds to demolish the crime-ridden building and replace it with a community center. His efforts led to the founding of Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), a nonprofit organization focused on providing education, job training, violence prevention and economic development opportunities to at-risk youth and families.
Pastor Brooks’ work has been featured on national media platforms such as FOX News, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The New York Times, and he is widely regarded as a leading voice in the movement to address the root causes of urban violence and poverty.
Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
Jon S. Kulaga, Ph.D.
Dr. Jon S. Kulaga is the 10th president of Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). Kulaga has a distinguished 38-year career in higher education with visionary leadership and effectual strategic planning, including expertise in advancement, focus on innovation and a commitment to growing a Christ-centered university. Prior to his selection as president of IWU, Kulaga served as president of Ohio Christian University (OCU) for five years beginning in 2017. Kulaga has made notable achievements while serving in various executive and leadership roles, including chief academic officer and chief operating officer at Asbury University, and in academics, advancement and student life development roles at Spring Arbor University.
Born and raised in and around Flint, Michigan, Kulaga was an ordained deacon and elder in the Free Methodist denomination for 30+ years before transferring his ordination to the Wesleyan denomination in 2023. He holds a Ph.D. from Kansas State University, an M.A. from Michigan State University, and a B.A. from Spring Arbor College. He is an honorary Kentucky Colonel and has authored and contributed to six published books. He has presented and preached to students and churches in England, France, Haiti, Mexico, Japan and China.
Registration Pricing
Exclusive Discount for CCCU Member Institutions
The CCCU is offering a $100 discount to CCCU members from the same member institution who register at least one attendee for the Imago Dei Conference!
Once your institution reaches one paid registrant, the price will be automatically discounted for each subsequent registrant from the same member institution.
Conference Rates
Early Bird
Regular
Late
Lodging & Travel Information
Hotel Options
4914 North Beaner Blvd. Gas City, IN 46933
7.1 miles from campus
Holiday Inn Express Marion IndianaÂ
1000 North Baldwin Ave Marion, IN
3.9 miles from campus
1502 N. Baldwin Avenue Marion, IN, 46952
5.1 miles from campus
Airbnb
If you would rather stay in an Airbnb, please find nearby options here.
TravelÂ
The closest major airport to Indiana Wesleyan University is the Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) which is located 49 miles and approximately 60 minutes from campus. The average cost of an Uber is $55 one way. For information about rental cars at FWA, click here.
The next closest airport to Indiana Wesleyan University is the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) which is located 75 miles and approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from campus. The average cost of an Uber is $100 one way.
Other Taxi Options
(260)-426-8555
(260)-446-7429
Indianapolis International Airport Taxi Service
QuestionsÂ
We look forward to seeing you in Marion, Indiana at the Imago Dei Conference. Please email us if you have any questions.
Terms & Rules
Registration Eligibility and Process:
CCCU conferences and events are a benefit to faculty, staff, and administrators at our CCCU institutions, so they are typically closed to non-member individuals and institutions unless they are sponsors or speakers. There are some exceptions to this rule, so if you are a non-member interested in attending, please send your request to conferences@cccu.org
All registrations are reviewed to ensure they meet the CCCU eligibility policies. The CCCU reserves the right to refuse or cancel all ineligible registrations at any time and shall not be held accountable for any outside fees associated with this cancellation.
To register for the conference, click the Register button and sign in to your CCCU account. If you have any issues or if you forgot your log-in information, please call our office at (202) 546-8713 for assistance.
By registering for the conference, you are providing permission to receive emails, mailings, and faxes related to the conference. If you would like to opt-out from receiving the e-Advance Newsletter or if you wish to no longer receive emails from the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, updates your preferences by logging into your MY CCCU account.
Full payment must accompany your registration. Please call the CCCU office at (202) 546-8713 if you need to make payment by check.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your registration at any time prior to the start of the program. If you must cancel, please email conferences@cccu.org. Refunds for cancellations received through Friday, September 5, 2025 will be issued minus a $50 processing fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after Friday, September 5. No-shows are not refundable. Registration transfers will be honored at any time.