AGENDA

Check-In

Welcome: Building the Future Together

As the state faces significant workforce, economic and demographic challenges, independent colleges and universities have an essential role in preparing future leaders, advancing innovation, expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. These opening remarks will frame the day’s conversation around how higher education, business, government and community partners can work together to strengthen California and the students and communities we serve. 

Presenters:

Karen Hofmann, President, ArtCenter College of Design

Kristen Soares , President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)

The Impact of Independent Higher Education: Unveiling AICCU’s Economic & Workforce Impact Report

AICCU will unveil its inaugural Economic & Workforce Impact Report, the first comprehensive analysis of the collective economic and workforce contributions of California’s independent nonprofit colleges and universities. The presentation will highlight the sector’s economic impact, role in preparing talent for critical workforce fields, impact on student opportunity and social mobility, and importance to communities and regions across California. 

Respondents from the AICCU Executive Committee will offer reflections on what the findings mean for California’s higher education ecosystem and how institutions can build on its collective impact to strengthen partnerships and serve students and communities.

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Presenters:

Sandra Barone, Senior Manager, Trellis Strategies  

Pamela Ong, Director of Data and Research, AICCU
 

Respondents:
G. Gabrielle Starr, President, Pomona College & Chair, AICCU Executive Committee

From Workforce Needs to Partnership: A Roadmap for Higher Education and Industry

How can higher education and industry build collaborations that respond directly to workforce needs? This session will feature leaders involved in the Paradigm Shift project, an employer-driven partnership that brings together higher education and industry to better align education, skills, and career pathways with the needs of the Los Angeles region.  
 

Panelists will share lessons from the project, including how the partnership was developed, the role of employers and higher education, and what it takes to build and sustain meaningful cross-sector collaboration. The conversation will transition into a broader discussion of how AICCU institutions can develop and deepen their own industry partnerships and identify practical strategies for engaging employers.

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Panelists:
Alberto J. Román, Chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District
Maria Salinas, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Ann McElaney-Johnson, President, Mount Saint Mary’s University
 

Moderator:

Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of La Verne

Coffee with Sponsors

Advancing Student Mobility: Creating Clearer Pathways to Success 

How do we ensure students can access and navigate the educational pathways that lead to opportunities? Grounded in data and the student experience, the conversation will explore how California’s higher education sectors can work together to create clearer pathways into, through, and beyond postsecondary education. Panelists will examine opportunities to improve transfer, reduce barriers between sectors, better serve adult and returning learners, and connect educational pathways more intentionally to meaningful careers and economic mobility.

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Panelists:
Jóse A. Gómez, Ph.D., President, Pasadena City College

Mark Milliron, President, National University and Member, AICCU Executive Committee
Olga Rodriguez, Ph.D., Director, PPIC Higher Education Center

Kevin Mojica, ADN-BSN Student, Azusa Pacific University and Pasadena City College
 

Moderator:
Krista Newkirk, President, University of Redlands & Vice Chair, AICCU Executive Committee

Networking Lunch and ArtCenter Design Innovation Impact Showcase​

Policymaker Roundtable
A roundtable discussion on the public policies, investments and leadership needed to expand educational opportunity, strengthen California’s critically needed workforce and the partnerships needed to ensure California remains the world’s leading talent and innovation economy. 

From Impact to Action: Launching AICCU's 2027–2030 Strategic Framework and Public Policy Engagement Forward​

Building on AICCU’s Economic & Workforce Impact Report, this session will introduce the association’s 2027-2030 Strategic Framework and explore how we translate the sector’s collective impact into action. AICCU staff will highlight priorities to strengthen our strategic voice, advance our public policy and advocacy agenda, deepen engagement with policymakers and partners, and use data and research to demonstrate the essential contributions of independent higher education to California's workforce, economy and communities. 
 

This session will provide and an opportunity for member institutions and partners to discuss how we collectively use the report and strategic framework to strengthen advocacy, build partnerships and advance policies that support our students, institutions, and communities. 
 

Presenters:
Kristen Soares President, AICCU  
Thomas Vu, Vice President for Policy, AICCU 
Alex Graves, Vice President for Government Relations, AICCU

Annual Business Meeting​

• Call to Order/Chair’s Remarks 

• Approval of Minutes

• Election of Officers and Executive Committee Members 

• Approval of New Members  

• Adoption of the Five-Year Strategic Framework 

• Adoption of the 2026–27 State and Federal Policy Agenda 

• Recognition of Outgoing Board Members and Leaders

Coffee Collab

​Summit partners and guests are invited to continue the day’s conversations over coffee and light bites. Connect and exchange ideas sparked by the day’s discussions; and explore opportunities for new partnerships and collaboration.

Leading Together: Partnership and Impact

A closing reflection on the day’s conversations and opportunities ahead to lead, deepen partnerships, expand opportunities and strengthen the communities we serve.

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Presenter:
Ravi Rajan, President, CalArts & Vice Chair, AICCU Executive Committee

Adjourn
The Coffee Collab station will remain open until 3:30 p.m.