* Please note that this webinar will be offered in English and is open only to employees of Canadian universities and colleges.

Date and Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Canadian postsecondary institutions are increasingly turning to Academic Portfolio Reviews (APR) to strengthen alignment between academic offerings and institutional mission, financial sustainability, labour market needs, and student demand. APR provides a structured, data-informed approach to evaluating courses and programs using both quantitative and qualitative insights.

Building on the Academic Program Sustainability insight paper CAUBO released in 2025, this two-part webinar series highlights how the principles and practices outlined in the report are being applied to enhance academic program health and sustainability.

Part 1: Academic Portfolio Review with Program Cost and Margin Analysis (held December 11, 2025) showcased how the University of Alberta is building on their AP review by integrating enrolment, teaching and research analytics with program costing and margin analysis. This approach enables clearer visibility and more strategic conversations around program sustainability, health, and contribution to the institutional mission.

Part 2: Market Context and Academic Portfolio Strategy will use case studies to examine how institutions are integrating internal APR findings with external labour market intelligence and postsecondary landscape data to inform academic strategy at the program, faculty, and portfolio level.

Why Attend?

• Understand how to integrate labour market and postsecondary trend data within APR initiatives to diversify insights that inform decision-making
• Learn approaches for developing portfolio-level academic strategies
• Gain insight into how external context can support sustainable program planning
• Hear about success factors, challenges, and effective practices in strategic academic review

Discover how universities are using market analyses to identify performance trends, anticipate headwinds, evaluate emerging opportunities, and make decisions that support both institutional mission and long-term academic vitality.

This CAUBO PD activity may count towards credits for accreditation programs and designations in your field. Visit the CAUBO website for more details.

Presenters:

Ben Chrischilles Consulting Senior Director, Education & Research Huron Consulting Group Ben has 15+ years of experience in the education and non-profit industries, with previous roles focused on teaching, development and fundraising, strategic planning, and government affairs. His work at Huron over the past decade spans the student and academic strategy space, helping institutions design and implement strategies to position their portfolios of academic offerings for the future, advance enrollment, retention, and graduation outcomes, and improve the overall student academic and co-curricular experience. He has also partnered with institutions on their overall financial management, institutional strategic planning, and growth and innovation efforts.

Jenna Stone Consulting Manager, Education & Research Huron Consulting Group Jenna brings 24 years of higher education experience to her work helping colleges and universities craft strategic pathways to thrive. Jenna joined Huron Consulting Group in 2023, after more than two decades at Lawrence University of Wisconsin where she served as Associate Vice President of Finance as well as other leadership roles in budget, advancement, and sponsored programs. At Huron, Jenna has worked with a diverse range of institutions, from small regional universities to large flagships, helping leaders connect financial data and systems with mission, values, and strategic priorities through work on resource allocation, budget models, financial planning and modeling, and academic strategy.

* Please note that this webinar will be offered in English and is open only to employees of Canadian universities and colleges.

Date and Time: Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 1:00-2:30 PM ET

Canadian post-secondary institutions are facing increasingly complex challenges in planning and delivering student housing that is financially sustainable and affordable for students, responsive to student expectations and aligned with their missions.

CAUBO’s 2025 report, Student Housing in Canadian Higher Education: A Strategic Framework for Planning and Delivery, developed with EY, provides timely insights and strategic guidance to help institutions navigate the evolving financial, demographic, and housing landscapes reshaping the sector.

To complement this important resource, we are pleased to launch a four-part webinar series that will examine the key considerations for institutions in navigating a successful student residence development—from assessing needs, to procurement, to operational readiness.

Designed for administrators in finance, facilities, ancillary services, risk, and procurement, each webinar blends a focused presentation with a rich panel discussion featuring institutions at various stages of residence renewal or expansion.

This opening webinar sets the strategic foundation for any successful student residence project. It explores how institutions can clearly articulate the need for new or renewed housing, assess feasibility, and select delivery models that align with institutional priorities, risk tolerance, and financial capacity.

Panelists will provide perspectives on how they assessed the current state of their housing portfolios, including capacity, condition, demand, and evolving student expectations. Approaches to options assessment and feasibility analysis will be discussed—highlighting the financial, technical, and non-financial factors that inform decision-making. The webinar will also explore the role of business cases in securing institutional approvals and how different delivery models balance control, risk, financing, and long-term affordability.

Save the Date – Part 2: Procurement Approaches & Lessons Learned in Student Housing Projects (February 25)

This CAUBO PD activity may count towards credits for accreditation programs and designations in your field. Visit the CAUBO website for more details.

Presenters:

	Tariq Al-idrissi Vice-President, Finance and Administration Trent University Tariq Al-idrissi is the Vice-President, Finance and Administration at Trent University. We was the former Associate Vice President of IT. In addition to his role at Trent, Tariq is a member of the CUCCIO Cybersecurity Benchmarking Committee and is a member of the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM) Customer Council. Tariq has served as; a member of the CANARIE CIO Advisory Group, the Chair of the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers (CUCCIO), a member of the Compute Canada Cybersecurity Task Force and as Chair of the Ontario University Council of Chief Information Officers (OUCCIO). In 2019, Tariq was the only Canadian CIO selected to the Educause IT Issues Panel. Tariq’s career has spanned the last twenty years in higher education. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Master of Science in Management Degree from Lakehead University. While for the past twenty years, Tariq's experience has been primarily based in IT and educational technologies, he has also taught as a Sessional Lecturer for the Faculty of Business at Lakehead University for over ten years.
	Amal Awini Director of Housing & Conference Services, Ancillary Services York University Amal Awini is a strategic leader with over 25 years of experience in Housing, Residence Life, and Conference operations across Canada. Amal specializes in leading diverse teams, driving institutional change, and enhancing the student experience. Her expertise includes leadership, occupancy management, human resources, marketing, IT, finance, diversity and equity, residence life, and change management. Amal is committed to student success, building strong community relations, and improving service quality and operational efficiency. Throughout their career, Amal has managed high-profile projects, developed insights into P3-Institution relationships, and fostered innovative partnerships within unionized institutional environments.
	William (Bill) Best Vice President, Administration and Finance University of New Brunswick Bill is the vice president of administration and finance at UNB where he oversees a wide array of critical functions relating to the administration of the university including information technology services, people and culture, general counsel, capital planning and operations, financial services, resource planning and budgeting, and trust and treasury. He is keenly interested in effective governance, establishing policy governance structures, budget development frameworks, and enterprise risk management programs. Since returning to New Brunswick after nearly a decade in Ontario, he has swiftly become involved in new board governance experiences, joining the Maritime College of Forestry Technology Board of Directors and the Inter-University Services and Canadian Association of University Business Officers Board Executive Committees. Bill has played instrumental roles in governance and board leadership throughout his career with previous positions including president of Cambrian College, president of the Board at Ontario Colleges Library Services (OCLS), and chair of the Board at Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).
	Joseph Yun Director, Real Estate Transactions and Asset Management YUDC

Moderator:

Edward Ng Partner, Infrastructure Advisory, Transactions & Corporate Finance Ernst & Young, LLP As a Partner in the Infrastructure Advisory practice at EY, Edward focuses on providing transaction support and lead advisory services in the execution of infrastructure financing and public-private partnerships (P3s). He has over 20 years of related experience and has been involved in all aspects of transactions, including development of business cases and feasibility studies, procurement design, conducting commercial and financial evaluations, constructing complex financial models, risk assessment, and financial structuring. Edward has been involved in over 40 infrastructure projects with a combined value of more than $50.0 billion. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto. He is also a CFA charter holder.

CAUBO Higher Education Administration Onboarding Workshop
February 10-11, 2026 | ALT Hotel, Ottawa, ON

* Please note that this event will only be offered in English *

Joining the higher education sector as a senior administrator, you may find that things don’t work exactly the way you expect, or that the culture differs significantly from other industries. It can be challenging to learn everything you need to know to hit the ground running and settle into your new position.

Part of our mission at CAUBO is to strengthen the capacity of leaders in the sector by connecting you with peers and information, enabling you to both pursue opportunities and create solutions for shared issues. In these challenging times, it is more essential than ever for those of us working in this area to support and share with one another.

CAUBO has created a two-day, in-person higher education onboarding program for new Vice-Presidents, Finance and Administration and Associate Vice-Presidents who are new to their role and/or the sector. The goal is to introduce and discuss topics specific to higher education, including academic culture, administration and governance, leadership in higher education, EDID, financial sustainability, and faculty labour relations. Knowledgeable speakers will offer their insights into the sector and explore what makes it unique.

The in-person workshop provides an opportunity to forge new connections with others from around the country working in similar positions and build your network during breaks and open discussions.

Event start time: February 10, 2026 – 8:30 AM (breakfast served at 8:00 AM)
Event end time: February 11, 2026 – 3:00 PM

VIEW THE PRELIMINARY AGENDA

Registration is open to Vice-Presidents, Finance and Administration and Associate Vice-Presidents from CAUBO member institutions. The registration fee is $2,500. Participants are responsible for covering their travel and accommodation expenses.

* Please note that a specific number of participants is required to move forward with the event. We will be able to confirm this with you by early January.

Book your accommodation early!

Alt Hotel
185 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Website 

Guestroom Reservations
CAUBO has many hotels that offer CAUBO members preferred rates, including the ALT Hotel. Don’t wait – reserve your room today!

Reserve at the ALT (based on availability):
Online by clicking here; using the corporate code 997250 to access the rate.
By calling Reservations at 1-844-258-6882 and letting them know that you have the rate through CAUBO.

Many other hotels that offer CAUBO members preferred rates are within walking distance from the meeting location. Here are a few suggestions:

• ARC The Hotel, 140 Slater Street, Reservations: www.arcthehotel.com (contract ID NEGCAU)
• Delta Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon, Reservations: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1637258080176&key=CORP&app=resvlink (Contract ID: CAU)
• Ottawa Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent Street, Reservations: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowmc-ottawa-marriott-hotel (Contract ID: CAU)

Course Overview

Please note that this course is only offered in English at this time.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of university culture and governance. The objective is to help administrators, new and established, to better understand the university context and work more effectively and efficiently within the unique university environment.

Among the longest standing institutions in the world, universities adhere to fundamental principles and values that have been championed by academics from the earliest of times. Those principles and values continue to shape the modern university and contribute to an environment that is substantially different from that encountered in private or public sector organizations. To be effective in a university, it is essential that administrators understand and respect these values and principles and adapt their practices accordingly.

The unique nature of universities and the academic culture impact how administrators work, interact with individuals, consult, bring forward ideas or plans for review or approval and implement new initiatives. They are experienced by all administrators whether in academic units, central services, student services or ancillary services.

This course is a blend of web-based materials and live learning sessions. Through presentations, readings, assignments, and group discussions, this course aims to provide administrators with the ability to take context and culture more instinctively into account in conducting their work. The course will provide participants with a general understanding of:

• the origin of universities and how this is reflected in the culture and traditions of today’s university
• the division of roles between the Senate, the Board, and the University President and how this might affect planning and decision-making in academic and non-academic units
• the unique judicial process that applies to universities and how that influences process development and application
• collegial governance and its meaning in practice
• principles and importance of equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigenization (EDII) and how these are integrated into all areas of the university system and culture
• the federal and provincial influences over universities from a constitutional perspective and funding context
• the general funding sources of universities for operations, research, and capital/infrastructure
• principles of academic freedom and their application
• the academic workload
• the meaning and implications of the peer review process and principles of natural justice in a university
• academic values and how they impact routine interactions of academics and administrators

Target Audience:

• All individuals recruited from outside of the university sector into mid to senior management positions
• Individuals aspiring to more senior managerial roles in a university
• Mid to senior level administrative staff from across the university

MODULE 1 – The University Context

MODULE 2 – Equity, Diversity, Inclusiveness, and Decolonization: A Required Competency for Effective University Leadership

MODULE 3 – Trends in University Finances and Funding Models

MODULE 4 – Fundamental Academic Principles and Values 

MODULE 5 – Academic Culture and Working Environment 

MODULE 6 – The Relevance of Culture and Governance for Administrators

UCG Course Schedule Overview

* All times are in Eastern Time (ET)

Time commitment

Participants are expected to commit approximately 45-50 hours to the completion of this course, which includes presentations, readings, course activities, group work and Live Learning Sessions.

Facilitated by:

Rosie Parnass

Rosie Parnass is currently a consultant offering HR consulting, facilitation and coaching services to higher education and not-for-profit organizations. Rosie recently retired from the University of Toronto after working there for over 35 years in a variety of functional areas including; student life; career services; human resources; organizational development and learning; and work/life support. As Executive Director, Organizational Learning and Development and Work Life Support, Rosie led a team providing organizational development, career management, mentoring and continuous learning programs that supported the University community. Rosie has presented at many conferences, nationally and internationally and has taught at the University’s School of Continuing Studies. Rosie has also been involved with CAUBO on the Training and Development Committee, and as a facilitator in their on-line course program. Rosie assists CAUBO with their professional development activities including acting as a program consultant for the annual conference and functional seminars. She has also been a facilitator for their on-line courses for the past few years. Rosie has a Master of Education, specializing in Adult Education and Counselling from OISE/UT; has completed the Advanced Program in Human Resources Management from the Rotman School of Management. Rosie is a recent graduate of the Solution Focused Coaching program and has an active coaching practice.

This CAUBO PD activity may count towards credits for accreditation programs and designations in your field. Visit the CAUBO website for more details.

Join us for CAUBO 2026 in St. John’s Newfoundland!

From June 15-17, 2026, the CAUBO Annual Conference will be in St. John’s Newfoundland. Mark those dates in your calendar now! Join us for three days of engaging sessions, dynamic networking opportunities, and inspiring keynotes from thought leaders in higher education and industry.

In addition to the keynote presentations that will be announced soon, you can choose from concurrent sessions designed to address the most relevant topics in higher education administration. Whether you’re looking to solve challenges, share best practices, or gain new perspectives, there’s something for everyone.

Share your expertise and experience with your peers and colleagues! CAUBO is looking for energetic and engaging speakers to deliver diverse, interactive, and thought-provoking conference presentations tailored to HE administrators.

Visit the CAUBO 2026 website for information about the conference venue, travel options, and accommodations.

One of North America’s oldest cities, St. John’s wears its history proudly—but it’s the city’s vibrant personality that truly stands out. From the brightly coloured row houses to the lively locals, every corner bursts with character and charm.
Located on the easternmost edge of the continent, St. John’s is your urban launchpad to explore dramatic coastlines, iconic landmarks, and a city as curious as it is captivating.

Steeped in tradition and fueled by creativity, St. John’s is Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural heartbeat. Here, a rich past meets a thriving present—where music, art, architecture, and cuisine collide in unforgettable ways.

For more than 500 years, visitors have been greeted with warmth and wit. Don’t be surprised if a casual chat turns into a legendary story—because in St. John’s, hospitality isn’t just a custom, it’s an art form.

Watch the CAUBO 2026 promotional video here.

The full conference program and conference registration will be available in February 2026.

Book your room!
CAUBO has guestroom blocks at several host hotels, all within walking distance of the St. John’s Convention Centre, where most of the conference activities will take place. After last year’s highly attended conference, we encourage you to reserve your accommodations early. Visit the accommodations page on the conference website for information.

We can’t wait to see all of you June 15-17, 2026 in St. John’s!

Thank you for your interest in CAUBO Leader. Registration for this course offering is now closed as we have filled all available spaces.

Click here to add your name to a waiting list now. Please be sure to include your full name, title, institution, and contact information. You will receive an email extending you priority registration for the next offering of this course.

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We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for CAUBO Leader, a purpose-built leadership development initiative tailored for mid- to senior-level administrators in key operational and administrative areas across Canadian universities.

Now more than ever, strong, collaborative leadership is needed to navigate the complexity and change facing the higher education sector. CAUBO Leader is designed to empower participants to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact – supporting them in driving positive change within their institutions.

Spanning eight months, the program brings together a dynamic, supportive cohort of peers. Through shared learning, reflection, and practice-based exploration, participants will deepen their leadership capabilities and grow as confident, adaptive leaders.

Apply now to take part in a transformative journey that will elevate your individual leadership potential and contribute to the advancement of HE in Canada.

Applicants will be subject to a selection process. Space will be limited to 20 participants.

Program Highlights
This eight-month program features a range of components; each designed to enrich the participant experience and address key dimensions of leadership development:

Core Modules

• Leadership in HE and Beyond: Examines global trends, their impact on higher education, and the sector’s unique leadership context
• The Authentic and Engaged Leader: Explores how leaders foster meaningful dialogue, build influence, and grow self-awareness

Online Learning & Peer Exchanges

• Participant Provocations: Individuals share leadership insights and experiences from their own context
• Strategic Impact Groups (SIGs): Small cohorts tackle complex, real-world challenges facing the sector
• Leadership Exchange: Participants observe and engage with peers locally or virtually to explore leadership in practice
• Reconnects: Between-module sessions that deepen cohort connections and support ongoing collaboration within SIGs

Applicant Selection Criteria
Participants will be selected based on the following:

• Professional Experience and Role: Mid- to senior-level administrators (e.g., AVP, Senior Director, Controller) with significant institutional responsibilities in operational or administrative areas.
• Motivation, Learning Readiness, and Commitment: Strong personal motivation, openness to reflection and growth, and full availability to engage in all program components.
• Contribution to Peer Learning: Willingness to engage actively, share experiences, and learn alongside others in a collaborative, cohort-based environment.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Representation from diverse roles, regions, institutions, and lived experiences to enrich learning and build sector-wide capacity.

Applicants must include an endorsement to participate in the program from their supervisor as part of the application process.

We encourage all eligible CAUBO members to apply and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to grow as a leader and contribute meaningfully to your institution and the sector.

Please refer to the CAUBO Leader application page for full details and submission instructions.

Application deadline: September 15, 2025

If you have any questions or need additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at events@caubo.ca.

The list of accreditation programs and organizations that may provide continuing education credit for CAUBO professional development activities is below. This list may be incomplete, so if you know of others that should be added, please let us know by emailing kserjak@caubo.ca.

• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA)
• Association For Supply Chain Management
• Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP)
• Board of Certified Safety Professionals
• Canada’s Association of I.T. Professionals (CIPS)
• Canadian Institute of Traffic & Transportation (CITT)
• Canadian Payroll Association
• CFA Institute
• Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR)
• CIM Chartered Managers Canada
• CPA Canada
• The Institute of Internal Auditors Canada
• ISACA
• Institute for Supply Management in the US
• LEED Green Associate/LEED AP
• National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP)
• Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA)
• Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
• Supply Chain Canada