In May of this year, the ASU-Cintana Presidents’ Summit assembled a distinguished roster of educational leaders from across the Cintana Alliance. The summit’s primary goal was not just to facilitate dialogue, but also to promote an exchange of innovative ideas, fostering a collective vision for the future of global higher education.
The participating leaders engaged in stimulating discussions with ASU President Michael Crow, a renowned thought leader in academia. These interactions opened avenues for fresh perspectives and innovative strategies aimed at driving academic excellence and improving student outcomes. From these sessions, participants gained actionable insights, and a mutual understanding began to take shape.
Day one commenced with a hearty welcome from Doug Becker, Rick Shangraw, and Ricardo Berckemeyer, the stalwarts at the helm of Cintana. They set the tone for the day, framing an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. This was followed by Becker’s insightful presentation on the “State of the Alliance” and its vision, outlining a strategic roadmap for the future.
Julia Rosen, Vice President of Global Academic Initiatives at ASU, gave an enlightening update about ASU’s current progress and initiatives. This was followed by an engaging session on building a transformation roadmap presented by Ricardo Berckemeyer, Alfredo I. Ayala from Mapua University in the Philippines, and Dr. Gulnara Kurenkeyeva from AlmaU in Kazakhstan.
The rest of the day saw a rich tapestry of talks and case studies. Marisol Suarez and Nicolas Fernandez from UIDE in Ecuador discussed the journey to becoming a leading university, providing valuable first-hand experience. Further sessions led by Emiliano Diez, Chris Hill, Jill Andrews, Chief Brand Officer at ASU, and others dove into strategies on enhancing university brands, leveraging ASU partnerships, and exploring online education opportunities.
Day two offered a wealth of knowledge on accessing funding and entrepreneurial leadership. The attendees were guided through the processes of obtaining US Government and USAID funding by Stephen Feinson, Associate Vice President at ASU, followed by insights on financing from Cristina Simon from IDB, Chris McCahan from IFC, and Doug Becker.
President Michael Crow’s session on being an entrepreneurial university president was a standout, where he imparted his wisdom and strategies on navigating the role effectively. This was later complemented by a deep dive into entrepreneurial leadership by Chris Howard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at ASU, Doug Becker, and Ricardo Berckemeyer.
The summit concluded with a tour of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at the MIX Center, followed by an interactive case study on transforming place and community. Rick Shangraw, Juan Carlos Leaño from UAG in Mexico, and a panel of experts discussed infusing innovation into the academic environment, offering attendees a tangible model of effective university-community collaboration.
The Presidents’ Summit served as a catalyst, sparking inspiration and igniting a collaborative spirit among the attendees. The event concluded on a high note, with a collective sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for the transformative possibilities that the Cintana Alliance holds. Attendees left the Summit empowered, inspired, and eager to carry the lessons learned back to their respective institutions.