The award honors Willingham for her years of service to the CIC’s Chief Academic Officers Task Force. Members of the task force develop programs and chair sessions at the annual institute, which brings together chief academic officers from across the country to learn with and from each other about the most important issues facing their institutions. Some of those topics include leadership development for faculty and staff, data-informed decision making to support students and faculty, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Willingham served a three-year term on the task force from 2022-25 and chaired it from 2024-25. She has also chaired the women administrators’ lunch since 2023.

“As a first-generation college graduate who feels it’s my calling to make change and create access and opportunity for students from similar backgrounds, this award is not just a recognition, but an affirmation that I’m doing the right work and living out my calling,” she said. “It’s great to feel that affirmation and support around me.”

While in Indianapolis, Willingham met with provosts and deans from to hear what’s happening at other Mennonite schools and problem-solve similar challenges and opportunities. She served on two panels during the institute. One featured chief academic officers reflecting on the leadership challenges they encountered while leading major academic restructuring efforts. The other, a closing plenary panel, explored key lessons officers have learned over time and shared ways they could support each other to be more successful. Willingham attended the conference with Tara Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success for 91����Ƶ.

“This year’s meeting was impactful in many ways,” Willingham said. “The focus was on unlocking student success: hearing and witnessing the ways in which so many of our institutions are pushing up against traditional silos to support students and using technology to engage students in their success. It was exciting to represent 91����Ƶ, our mission, who we are, and the ways in which we’re serving our students and supporting student success.”

Although the annual conference is not one that students attend, Willingham said that 91����Ƶ students made a presence through two videos. Recorded interviews with alumna Meredith Lehman ’25, 91����Ƶ’s first Rhodes Scholar, and Makinto, an Eastern Mennonite Seminary student, were shown throughout the event. “To see 91����Ƶ and the voice of our students represented as part of the conference was wonderful,” Willingham said.

91����Ƶ CIC

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils, and higher education affiliates that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. It offers conferences, seminars, publications, and other programs and services that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, student outcomes, and institutional visibility. Learn more at .

91����Ƶ the Institute for Chief Academic Officers

Each year, the Institute for Chief Academic Officers invites deans, provosts, and other chief academic officers and leaders from across the country to engage in conversation and collaboration. The theme of this year’s conference was “Building Places of Promise: Unlocking Student Success” and addressed critical issues such as navigating academic freedom, managing campus conflict, preparing students for meaningful careers, and thoughtfully integrating AI on campus.

SCHEV will hold an executive committee meeting 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, in 91����Ƶ’s Campus Center. A regular business meeting will follow 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Strite Conference Room, also in the Campus Center.

91����Ƶ President Loren Swartzendruber is president of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV)

91����Ƶ President Loren Swartzendruber is currently chairing the board of the CICV, which will open its meetings Monday afternoon, May 17, in the Campus Center. A dinner that includes SCHEV members will be held Monday evening.

"The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to many of the nation’s finest public and private higher education institutions," said Dr. Swartzendruber. "The annual meeting of SCHEV and the presidents of private universities provides an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest on behalf of our current and future students."

91����Ƶ SCHEV

SCHEV is the Commonwealth’s coordinating body for Virginia’s system of higher education. The agency provides policy guidance and budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly and is a resource for information on Virginia colleges and universities on higher education issues. Agenda materials for the SCHEV meeting are available at .

91����Ƶ the CICV

The CICV, with headquarters in Bedford, Va., is an association of 27 nonprofit, private colleges and universities in Virginia. Founded in 1971, CICV is the legislative advocate for Virginia private colleges and provides services to members in the areas of research, marketing, and consortium purchasing. The presidents of the 27 member institutions serve as the CICV board of directors.

91����Ƶ is among 24 schools participating in the eighth annual Virginia Private College Week, July 26-31, sponsored by the (CICV).

High school students who visit four Virginia private colleges during that week will receive application fee waivers redeemable at any three private colleges in CICV. With application fees ranging from $15 to $50, students could save as much as $100.

Last year, CICV colleges reported almost 2,000 visits during Virginia Private College Week 2003, with students and families visiting from 33 states and the District of Columbia.

“We participate in this statewide event because of its appeal to many families,” said Shirley Yoder, vice president for enrollment and marketing at 91����Ƶ. “People who may not otherwise come to our campus use this opportunity to discover for themselves our wide range of quality academic programs and friendly atmosphere,” she added.

All full-time students from Virginia attending a CICV institution will be eligible to receive a from the state of Virginia for a maximum of four years at the undergraduate level. The estimated undergraduate award for 2004-2005 is $2,500.

Campus tours during Private College Week include informational sessions on how to apply for admission and financial aid.

Sessions at most colleges will be offered at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 31 (exceptions are noted on ). Families are encouraged to call the colleges beforehand and make an appointment.

Participants will receive a stamped “passport” at the first college they visit and should have it stamped at each college they visit. Passports with four stamps can be redeemed for three application fee waivers, which can be used at any participating CICV-member college.

CICV was founded in 1971 to promote the interests of nonprofit, independent higher education in Virginia. The Council was also instrumental in starting the state’s Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program.

For more information on Virginia Private College Week, contact the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia at 540-586-0606 or visit . The admissions office at 91����Ƶ can also provide details at (toll-free) at 1-800-368-2665 or e-mail: admiss@emu.edu.