2025 CEO Leadership Academy

Reimagined and restructured based on CEO input, research on professional learning – and the need for all California community college chancellors, superintendent/presidents, and college presidents – to have opportunities for active and engaged professional learning throughout their careers, the CEO Leadership Academy (CLA) offers California’s district and college leaders, strategic approaches to wicked problems, insight into long-standing and emerging issues, peer support, and perspectives on managing work-life balance. 

Space is limited. Registration opens May 6 and closes when we have reached capacity. 

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Thursday, July 24 

Check-in
8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Morning Session:  What Keeps You Up at Night?
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

You can’t make this stuff up, right? CEOs will bring a challenge/problem they are currently facing for small group discussions. Facilitated by fellow CEOs, the intent of this session is to foster a safe and collaborative environment for problem solving and idea exchange. Unfortunately, there’s no panacea to solving complex problems, but participants will work together developing innovative solutions, leveraging diverse perspectives and experiences.  

Lunch and refreshments provided  

Afternoon Session #1: “Cakewalk Issues”
1:15 – 2:45 p.m. 

You thought you were prepared for this job, but nobody shared the secret sauce, and it certainly didn’t come with an instruction manual. In this session, we’ll tackle topics that can create PR nightmares and make you wish you’d chosen a less stressful profession, like lion taming. Through facilitated discussions, we’ll dive into hot-button issues like athletics, foundations, Title IX, lawsuits, the elimination of community education programs, and negotiations. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride! 

Break
2:45 – 3:00 p.m. 

Afternoon Session #2: CEO/Trustee & CEO Board Relationship, Chancellors/College Presidents Relationship
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. 

In this session we’ll dive into the intricate dynamics between community college CEOs and their trustees, both on an individual level and within the collective board. By exploring the nuances of these relationships, attendees will learn from each other and gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between leadership and governance. Further, this session will address the connection between college presidents and chancellors, emphasizing effective strategies for sustaining productive relationships. Prepare to be entertained as we share tales from the trenches, exchange nuggets of wisdom, and concoct clever strategies for nurturing harmonious relationships. By the end, you’ll be armed with innovative approaches that might just save your sanity and boost your institution’s collaborative spirit. 

Networking Reception
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 

Dinner on site
6:30 p.m. 

Friday, July 25 

Breakfast Networking
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. 

Morning Session – Finance/Enrollment Management
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. 

A facilitated and interactive session dedicated to uncovering the intricacies of California community colleges’ unique and complex finances and how enrollment management plays into the long-term fiscal health of their district/college. This session promises to highlight the most important parts. We’ll tackle burning questions like, “Which elements of the budget are most essential and what questions should I be asking my chief business officer?” and “How do negotiations impact the long-term fiscal outlook?” Bring your questions and experience about finance and enrollment management and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even come to love community college finance by the end of this session. 

Advocacy with the Community College League of California
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. 

What questions and concerns do you have about your own district’s and college’s advocacy? How do you perceive your role in advocacy/lobbying at your district/college? How does the League approach advocacy on behalf of all 73 districts? What materials and support for district and college advocacy does the League offer? What opportunities exist to become more involved in statewide advocacy and the prioritization of issues? 

This brief session will provide both insight into the League’s prioritization of issues and opportunities for Q & A and discussion about the CEO role in advocacy. 

Lunch: 2025-26 CEOCCC Board President Willy Duncan
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. 

Break
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. 

Afternoon Session – Case Study Activity
1:30 – 3:00 p.m. 

This session is like a reality TV show, but without the cameras (or the drama). Participants will be sent real-world case studies (yep, these actually happened, folks!) in advance so they can come prepared to discuss with colleagues. You’ll leave knowing how to think through sticky situations and how to navigate them like a pro, all while avoiding those pesky potholes that can land you in hot water. 

Activities: Work-life balance. When can I say no?
3:30  – 4:45 p.m. 

These jobs are tough. This discussion will focus on how to prioritize time and attention without pulling your hair out and will explore the magical best practices for relieving stress and avoiding burnout—no fairy godmother required. Participants will dive into strategies for achieving that elusive work-life balance, including when to say “no” (spoiler: it’s more often than you think) and how to manage personal and professional commitments while avoiding burnout. Leaders will swap tales of survival and wisdom, leaving armed with actionable plans to enhance their well-being and maybe even find a unicorn. 

Dinner w/ colleagues or on your own 

Saturday, July 26 

Breakfast & Networking
7:30  – 9:00 a.m. 

Breakfast Conversation – “What’s on fire today?”
9:15 – 10:45 a.m. 

This session is dedicated to addressing critical topics that are currently affecting California’s community colleges—think of it as a game of legislative Whack-A-Mole, but without the oversized mallet. We’ll dive into the latest sizzling issues like legislation, litigation, and other matters that are currently “on fire.”

Close
10:45 a.m. 

Grab-N-Go Snacks
11:00 a.m.