The challenges that face leaders in higher education today are complex, encompassing concerns about academic quality, strategic planning, enrollment management, financial stewardship, student experience, human resources, community engagement, and campus diversity. In the context of the 28 Jesuit universities of the United States, however, these issues take on added depth and meaning, in light of the centuries-old educational tradition that animates the schools. How is that tradition applied today, and how are administrators in Jesuit schools called to think creatively about the challenges that face them as mission-centered leaders? In response to these questions, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities offers the annual Seminar on Higher Education Leadership as a resource for current and emerging academic and administrative leaders.
Leadership Programs
Ignatian Colleagues Program (ICP)
AJCU Seminar on Higher Education Leadership
2013 Seminar Information and Materials for Participants

Participants in the AJCU Seminar are introduced to the foundations of Jesuit education and actively engage in discussions with peers from around the country on how the Jesuit educational tradition may be applied in the everyday work of university decision making. Drawing on the expertise of skilled practitioners from the AJCU consortium – including current and past Jesuit university presidents who serve among the faculty – the Seminar offers fresh perspective on key questions facing Ignatian leaders. Its goal is to contribute to the formation of administrators in Jesuit colleges and universities who will, in the words of St. Ignatius Loyola, “Go out and set the world on fire!”

Background on the AJCU Seminar
The Seminar has been a project of the 28 presidents of Jesuit colleges and universities for more than 10 years. Founded in 2003 and capably led by Sr. Maureen Fay, OP (past president of the University of Detroit Mercy), it grew in reputation and popularity to become a respected crossroads of conversation in Jesuit higher education. The support of former AJCU President Rev. Charles Currie, SJ was also instrumental in the Seminar’s development. Reflections on these contributions and the overall impact of the Seminar were featured in the May 2012 issue of Connections. We invite you to peruse the 2013 Seminar Schedule.

When and Where Is the 2013 Seminar?
This year’s AJCU Leadership Seminar will take place once again on the beautiful Lakeshore Campus of Loyola University Chicago from June 18-22, 2013. Participants stay in private rooms at Santa Clara Hall. Most Seminar sessions are held at Loyola’s Information Commons, but meals and breakout sessions occur in other historic and state-of-the art locations. Access to Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports provide participants with plenty of travel options to get to and from the Seminar.

2013 Seminar Information and Materials for Participants

Who Attends the Seminar?
Participants must be nominated by their presidents. Seminar colleagues hail from Jesuit colleges and universities throughout the country and will include:
  • Senior administrators seeking a foundational understanding of Jesuit higher education,
  • Academic department chairs, and
  • Selected delegates, whom presidents identify as having key leadership responsibilities or potential.
Comments from Past Participants about the Seminar:
  • "The presentation helped me to begin thinking of how we apply cura personalis to our work with colleagues (or thinking how to extend the concept beyond our work with students)."
  • "The comment that St. Ignatius was a desk jockey provided [an opportunity] to rethink the roles that we serve at our respective universities: the work to which God directs us on a daily basis."
  • "[The Seminar] made me focus on several things that I had not considered about teaching at a Jesuit university."
  • "Nice engagement of [the] group through case studies and questions."
How to Register
Nominees may register here online to secure their spot this summer. Preparatory materials, including conference details and Seminar pre-readings, will be available soon for registered participants.     

Questions?
Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding the 2013 AJCU Seminar on Higher Education Leadership. We look forward to talking with you and welcoming another wonderful group of colleagues this summer.

Stephanie Russell, Ed.D.
Interim Director, AJCU Seminar on Higher Education Leadership
Office: (414) 288-1881/Cell: (414) 313-9152
Jacqueline Schram
Program Assistant, AJCU Seminar on Higher Education Leadership
Office: (414) 288-3039/Cell: (414) 331-6081

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Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President of the University of San Francisco, commenting on the power of immersion experiences


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AJCU Federal Relations Network is the lobbying arm of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and comprised of at least one representative from each one of the twenty-eight Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The Network is kept up to date on an on-going basis by the Vice President for Federal Relations on all issues relating to Appropriations, budget, higher education authorization issues and taxes. The Network meets annually in September for a Legislative Conference and also participates in the Annual Committee for Education Funding Legislative Conference and Awards Dinner.
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