Symposium Agenda: Future of Higher Education Leadership
Theme: Leading Higher Education into a Thrivable Future
Location: Renaissance Downtown Chicago
Date: March 26, 2026
Conference Description:
Higher education is at a crossroads. A looming demographic cliff. Declining public trust. Mounting threats to the research ecosystem. Rising risks of global isolation. These forces are converging to create unprecedented challenges. The question is not only how we will reimagine higher education itself, but how we will reimagine the way we lead colleges, universities, and systems through this turbulence.
This symposium, anchored by the David Dodds Henry Lecture, brings together thought leaders from across the sector to wrestle with these questions. Together, we will explore new models of leadership and collaboration that can move our institutions beyond survival, toward a thriving future.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Conference Check-In | Coffee
Location: Second Floor Pre-function Lobby
10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Plenary
Location: Grand Ballroom
Introductory Remarks: Jesse H. Ruiz, Chair, University of Illinois Board of Trustees
Welcome: Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois System
David Dodds Henry Lecture: The Research University in an Era of Declining Public Trust and Confidence
Speaker: Robert J. Jones, President, University of Washington
Respondents:
Lynn Fisher, Professor, University of Illinois Springfield
Angela Lyons, Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Donald Wink, Professor, University of Illinois Chicago
This plenary will frame the symposium by examining the leadership challenges of the coming decade and offering visions for how presidents and system leaders can guide higher education to thrive in uncertain times.
11:45 – 12:00 p.m.
Break
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Break
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: Funding the Future: Rethinking Partnerships with Philanthropy and Beyond
Location: Grand Ballroom
A candid conversation on how universities and funders can co-create solutions that strengthen higher education’s sustainability and societal impact.
Moderator: Jason Lane, Professor & Senior Advisor to the President, University of Illinois System
Panelists:
Stephanie Banchero, Director of the Education & Economic Mobility Program, Joyce Foundation
Na'ilah Suad Nasir, President, Spencer Foundation
Ruth V. Watkins, President of Postsecondary Education, Strada Foundation
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Plenary Session: Navigating Toward the Future: Leading Today's Universities Into Tomorrow
Location: Grand Ballroom
A discussion with chancellors about the challenges and opportunities of leading universities and how to position them to be in a strong position tomorrow.
Moderator: Adrienne Nazon, Vice President of External Relations & Communications, University of Illinois System
Panelists:
Charles L. Isbell, Jr., Chancellor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Thomas Gibson, Chancellor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Break
3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Closing Plenary: Partnering for the Future: Collaboration for a Thriving Tomorrow
Location: Grand Ballroom
Synthesizing lessons from across the symposium to chart new models of higher education leadership that move beyond survival to build thrivable futures for higher education and the communities we serve.
Moderator: Rafael L. Bras, Former Provost and K. Harrison Brown Family Chair and Regents Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Panelists:
Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois System
Robert J. Jones, President, University of Washington
Shirley Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change, American Association for the Advancement of Science
B. Joseph White, President Emeritus, University of Illinois System; Dean Emeritus, University of Michigan
4:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Location: Grand Ballroom
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Celebratory Reception
Location: Explore Lounge
Celebratory reception open to all attendees to honor Robert Jones as the David Dodds Henry Lecturer.