2026 International Forum
Jan 29 - Feb 1, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
BREAKOUT SESSION THEMES
Christian higher education is not exempt from the constantly changing forces impacting the broader higher education landscape. With seven topical areas of focus at the 2026 International Forum, attendees will experience sessions devoted to emerging trends, leadership strategies, innovative techniques and more. Discover all that is planned by exploring each theme.
Themes
Leading Faithfully in a Shifting Landscape
Leading Faithfully in a Shifting Landscape
Leading Faithfully in a Shifting Landscape: Anchored in Christ with Courage, Clarity, and Conviction
Explore how Christian higher education leaders can remain rooted in biblical convictions while navigating rapid cultural, societal, and institutional change, leading with conviction, agility, and hope—anchored in Christ—so institutions can thrive and bear witness in a rapidly changing world.
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Governance Models
- Faith-Centered Leadership
- Missional Alignment
- Faithful Responses to Crises
- The Challenges of Leadership in Our Time
- Cultivating Emerging Leaders
Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future
Shaping the Future: Advocacy and Policy for Christian Higher Education
Engage in meaningful policy and advocacy efforts that safeguard the mission of Christian higher education. This theme emphasizes the importance of strategic public engagement to influence legislation, protect religious liberty, and ensure a flourishing future for faith-based institutions.
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Legislative, Judicial, Regulatory, and Administrative Updates
- Institutional Agility and Resilience in Response to Changing Social-Political-Cultural Environments
- Challenges and Opportunities in Christian Higher Education
Fostering Student Flourishing
Fostering Student Flourishing
Fostering Student Flourishing: Cultivating Belonging, Growth, and Purpose through Christ-centered Formation
Advance student success through research-based practices that support holistic development on CCCU campuses. This theme focuses on formation, spiritual growth, student care, and well-being, while highlighting key drivers of retention—such as belonging, meaningful faculty-student relationships, and the integration of faith and learning.
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Spiritual Development
- Student Formation
- Athletics
- Residence Life
- Student Life
- Counseling Services and Student Wellness
- Fostering a Sense of Belonging and Community
- Faculty-Student Interactions
- Student Retention
- Student Success and Well-Being
Building a Thriving Campus
Building a Thriving Campus
Building a Thriving Campus: Managing the Operations of Christian Higher Education
Examine the multifaceted nature of college administration and the essential functions that keep Christian colleges running with purpose and efficiency. This track will address key operational areas, focusing on how each contributes to building a thriving, mission-aligned campus. Sessions will offer practical strategies for navigating the complex challenges of today’s higher education environment while remaining rooted in Christian values.Â
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Enrollment
- Athletics Administration
- Financial Aid
- Institutional Development
- Campus Operations
- Back-of-House Shared Services
- Auxiliary Services
- Information Technology
Championing the Mission
Championing the Mission
Championing the Mission: Communicating Purpose, Impact, and Value
Elevate the role of strategic communication and advancement in Christian higher education by focusing on institutional reputation, issues management, media engagement, and donor and alumni relations. This theme highlights how communications and advancement professionals can faithfully represent the mission, articulate impact, craft unique messages, and inspire support for the institution’s short- and long-term goals.
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Advancement
- Donor Relations
- Communication (Internal and External)
- Media Relations
- Alumni Relations
- Shaping Compelling Narratives
- Building Trust
- Crisis Case Studies: Using Precedent to Predict and Prepare
- Communicating the Value of Christian Education and the Liberal Arts
Guiding Academia and Supporting Human Flourishing
Guiding Academia and Supporting Human Flourishing
Guiding Academia and Supporting Human Flourishing: Navigating Technological Challenges and Shifting Market Demands
Identify strategies to guide your institution with clarity and conviction. In the face of dynamic changes—including the rise of artificial intelligence, evolving perceptions of higher education’s relevance, and growing demand for professional studies, focus on discovering and implementing best practices, preserving core values, and advancing institutional missions in a rapidly shifting landscape.Â
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Provost Leadership
- Faculty and Student Research
- AI, Academic Integrity, and Student Formation
- Managing the Operations
- Teaching, Research, and Curriculum Development
- Teaching Amid Political and Social Divisions
- Institutional Assessment
- Responding to Shifting Societal Priorities
Equipping for the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Vocation
Equipping for the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Vocation
Equipping for the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Vocation: Inspiring Purpose, Cultivating Calling, and Transforming Lives
Equip students to view their academic journey and future vocation through a theological lens, fostering a deeper sense of calling and purpose. This theme invites reflection on how academic disciplines intersect with spiritual formation and how the integration of faith and learning can lead to gospel-driven lives that impact communities and transform society.Â
Suggested Areas and Topics:
- Innovative Ways to Integrate Faith and Learning Within and Outside the Classroom
- Integrating Faith and Learning Through Pedagogy
- Theoretical Models of Faith Integration
- Applications of Faith and Learning to the Classroom and Co-curriculum