This year has brought significant economic and political shifts in the US and beyond. The need to adapt, innovate and lead has never been greater. While many of these forces remain beyond our control, the responsibility to manage their impact and ensure institutional stability falls on college leaders.

Designed exclusively for Presidents, Vice Chancellors and Provosts, the THE US Universities Summit 2025 will bring together key decision-makers from across the US to explore the evolving landscape of higher education. Through in-depth and solution-oriented discussions, institutional leaders will share perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping their roles.

We will address:

• critical financial and funding constraints
• shifting public perceptions
• an increasingly polarized political landscape
• regulatory transformations
• the growing impact of AI and emerging technologies on academic operations

Attendees will leave with a toolkit of actionable strategies to enhance institutional resilience, strengthen governance, and redefine the role of universities in a rapidly changing world.

Funding the future: Sustaining higher education through political and financial uncertainty

Set against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized political landscape, this theme will explore the critical funding challenges confronting higher education institutions and their far-reaching implications for both the quality and accessibility of education.

• Strategies for maintaining research funding amid federal uncertainty
• Diversifying revenue streams to reduce vulnerability to political shifts
• International enrollment strategies in restrictive immigration environments

Redefining leadership: Great governance and campus culture

This theme will explore the challenges and opportunities related to higher education governance, focusing on shared leadership, policy impact and strategies for fostering strong institutional cultures.

• Designing rapid response frameworks for executive orders and policy shifts
• Creating crisis management plans for ideological challenges to campus policies
• Technology-enabled approaches to institutional agility and adaptation

Universities at crossroads: Redefining purpose, access and academic freedom

This theme will examine how universities can redefine their purpose, adapt to demographic changes and maintain their commitment to academic freedom as they attempt to balance tradition with transformation.

• Preserving academic freedom while navigating political pressures
• Leveraging technology to advance mission-critical objectives
• Articulating distinctive institutional values in times of public scrutiny

The Insider membership program provides a curated set of benefits to help transform the important discussions happening at the helm of private, public, two- and four-year institutions in the US. Together, we are creating a place for current and emerging leaders to create, share ideas, learn, play, connect and refuel.

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20% discount for groups of 3+ with promo code GROUP

Please note that this event is exclusively for Presidents, Vice Chancellors and Provosts

Speak

Our high-quality speakers are essential to ensuring our events engage audiences and provide relevant, up-to-date and innovative content for our delegates. Submit a speaker application.

Sponsor

Strategically engage with your target audience by exposing your brand, industry knowledge and thought leadership to the global higher education community. Explore available opportunities.

Host

Our events gather outstanding thought leaders to learn, network, and share knowledge and experience. Attendees share best practice and innovation in the development of world-class universities. Find out more.

Be a part of our thriving community. Join the THE Events Network for an annual cost-saving fee.

• Save on events: Free and discounted tickets to all our events
• Grow your network: Join a community of thought-leaders and build relationships with industry peers
• Discover key insights: Access the latest university performance data from around the globe
• Feel connected and informed: Attend in-person events, join live discussions online and watch webinars on-demand
• Access bespoke content: Receive a tailored post-event email with resources and editorial coverage

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