2025 EAB Presidential Roundtable
Join EAB’s annual roundtable for college and university presidents in Washington, D.C., where you’ll have the opportunity to engage in closed-door, president-only conversations about the most pressing challenges facing your institution today. 2024 attendees note that convening with fellow presidents is a highlight of their EAB partnership:
- “As always, our takeaways are so helpful. I leave with new ideas and new strategies to share with campus.”
- “A valuable combination of timely topics, relevant research, and meaningful conversation.”
Event Details
Presidential Roundtables are limited to Presidents or Chancellors. Registration is limited to one attendee per institution.
For travel planning: The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. on February 4 and adjourn at 12:00 p.m. on February 5. EAB will host a dinner for attendees following the first day of presentations.
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Meeting Location
EAB
2445 M Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-747-1003
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Hotel Accommodations
Park Hyatt Washington, D.C.
1201 24th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-789-1234 -
Reservations
- $299/Deluxe King or Double
- Call 877-803-7534 and mention 2025 EAB Presidential Roundtable to access our preferred rate or book online here
- Reserve by January 14, 2025
Please make your reservation at your earliest convenience, as space and rates are subject to availability. For alternative hotel information, contact us at [email protected].
Agenda
Day One
12:00 p.m.
Guest Arrival and Registration
Lunch Provided
12:30 p.m.
Welcome and Introductions
1:00 p.m.
Unpacking the Crisis of Public Confidence in Higher Ed
What Critics Get Wrong (and Right) About the Value of a Degree
Colleges and universities are facing no shortage of challenges this fall, ranging from election-year polarization and culture wars to growing skepticism about higher ed’s relevance. In this session, we will explore the growing disconnect between the broader public and higher ed. We’ll dig into the underlying drivers of stakeholder perceptions, along with the evolving expectations of prospective students and parents, employers, donors, board members, and policymakers.
2:45 p.m.
Navigating a Changing Federal Policy Landscape
As the new presidential administration’s policies take shape, we are continually assessing regulatory, financial, and operational risks for our partners. With a multitude of possible policy impacts—from declines in international student enrollment (and tuition revenue) to the impact of tariffs and increased cost of operations to managing campus unrest given mandates to follow controversial policy directives—the traditional risk assessment matrix of “likelihood vs impact” feels like it’s breaking down. During this discussion you’ll hear how other campuses are handling your most top-of-mind issues and have learn what’s worked (and hasn’t) to better prepare your campus for shared challenges.
4:00 p.m.
A New Era of Advancement
What Presidents Need to Know About Evolving Donor Demands
As many traditional sources of revenue for higher ed either decline or stagnate relative to the cost of operating a university, presidents are devoting more and more time and attention to advancement campaigns. In this session, we’ll discuss five key trends in the advancement landscape, from the rise of the “perma-campaign” to generational shifts among donors.
5:30 p.m.
Depart for Dinner
Day Two
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Optional Session: Winning Strategies for a Shifting Enrollment Market
Adapting to Emerging Trends and Engaging Students Effectively
As many institutions struggle to meet enrollment goals, adopting a highly strategic approach to student engagement is more critical than ever. This session will offer insights into key shifts in the undergraduate enrollment landscape, including evolving application trends and changing perceptions among students and parents. It will also examine growth opportunities in the master’s, online, and adult degree completion markets and tactics to reach and engage adult learners. Join us to gain valuable strategies for success across your entire portfolio.
8:30 a.m.
The Modern Anchor Institution
Driving Undeniable Economic Impact and Reclaiming the Public Good Mantle
Facing growing skepticism about higher ed’s relevance, colleges and universities must go beyond traditional community engagement efforts and instead reorient their core institutional and academic strategy around social and economic impact. By embracing an outside-in approach that is “anchored” around the needs and priorities of key external constituencies, colleges and universities will be best positioned to compete for future students, revenues, and public support. This session will explore lessons from effective anchor institutions, including ways to:
- Move recruitment and readiness efforts upstream to build a college-going pipeline
- Integrate next-generation skill development into the curriculum at scale
- Drive real-world impact by scaling community-centric research and scholarship
- Catalyze mutually beneficial economic development through cross-sector collaboration
- Measure and articulate your impact on critical regional priorities
10:30 a.m.
Meeting the AI Moment
While skeptics worry that “AI Hype” is reaching its peak without demonstrable ROI, most experts agree that AI-driven technology will allow a reimagining of institutional operations, academics, collaboration, and student support. In this session, we’ll explore the latest applications of AI in higher ed, implications for preparing students for a changing workplace, and preview this year’s Presidential Experience Lab with OpenAI.
12:00 p.m.
Adjournment
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Experts associated with this event
EAB Experts




