What Institutions Actually Need from Leaders and How to Get There

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 2:15PM–3:00PM MT
Session Type: Breakout Session
Delivery Format: Presentation
Higher education leadership has always been demanding. But the compounding disruptions of the past five years—a global pandemic, the exhaustion of recovery, and the rapid arrival of generative AI—have accelerated the pace of change in ways that have outpaced how we develop, identify, and hire leaders. This panel brings together complementary vantage points: senior higher education leaders with years of experience leading organizations and building the next generation of leaders, and executive search consultants with decades of experience helping institutions find them. The panel will examine how leadership demands are evolving, what institutions are now looking for when they hire, and how current and aspiring leaders can understand — and build toward — what's actually required right now.

Presenters

  • Michael Cato

    Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Bowdoin College

  • Katie Dean

    Partner, Opus Search Partners

  • Craig Smith

    Partner, Opus Search Partners

  • Jennifer Sparrow

    AVP, Research and Instructional Technology, New York University