Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times
For: Higher EdWebinarsA webinar recording exploring how campus leaders can restore stability and trust on campus, and navigate organizational change under intense pressure.
Higher education leaders are operating in a time of relentless scrutiny and change. Federal investigations, state mandates, donor and alumni pressure, campus protests, budget shortfalls, and rapid shifts in DEI and AI are converging all at once. The job of leading a college or university has never been more difficult: every decision is scrutinized, trust breaks faster than it is built, and the path forward is rarely clear. The tragic shooting on a Utah campus earlier this month — during a public event on free expression — underlines just how high the stakes have become.
What You'll Discover
This webinar featured two nationally recognized leaders who have wrestled with these challenges firsthand. Together, they will share concrete strategies and lessons learned on how campus leaders can:
Use constructive dialogue to restore stability and trust in moments of tragedy or upheaval.
Navigate organizational change under intense political and cultural pressure.
Expert Panel
Moderated by: Caroline Mehl, Co-Founder and Executive Director, CDI
Featuring:
- Jonathan Alger, President, American University
- Hiram Chodosh, President, Claremont McKenna College
Additional Resources
- Instructor Guides
ResourceHoliday Conversation Guide
This guide provides tips for navigating difficult conversations about controversial issues during the holiday season. - WebinarsEvent
Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times
A webinar recording exploring how campus leaders can restore stability and trust on campus, and navigate organizational change under intense pressure. - Instructor Guides
ResourceCDI Conversation Guide on Utah Shooting
This guide helps campus leaders and facilitators create space for open, supportive dialogue after the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
In The News
Campus Talks: The Role of Universities as Bastions of Free Speech and Open Debate in Polarized Times
Harvard Joins Other Universities to Confront the Roots of Skepticism in Higher Education
Leading Universities Pursue Innovative Models to Strengthen Constructive Dialogue and Open Inquiry
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