“I really enjoyed CAUBO’s University Culture & Governance course. The content was well structured and covered a great range of concepts that gave me a much clearer understanding of how universities function at every level. If you’re curious about how higher education institutions are shaped and run, this is a fantastic course to dive into!”
– Sarah Barrett, Senior Human Resources Strategic Partner, Human Resources, McMaster University

“The University Culture and Governance course provided an excellent foundation for understanding the unique environment in which Canadian universities operate. The course offered practical insights into governance, academic culture, institutional autonomy, academic freedom, EDID, and the complex decision-making processes that shape higher education. As a university administrator, I found the case studies, readings, and discussions particularly valuable in helping me connect theoretical concepts to real world institutional challenges. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to better understand and navigate the higher education sector.“
– Oluwaseyi A. Lawal, Senior Data Analyst and Reporting, Office of Institutional Analysis, The University of Winnipeg

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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.

A purpose-built leadership development initiative tailored for mid- to senior-level administrators
in key operational and administrative areas across Canadian universities.

There is still limited space available in the 2026–2027 CAUBO Leader cohort, so we’re extending the application deadline to give more members the opportunity to participate.

If you’ve been considering applying, there’s still time to take the next step in your leadership development journey and join colleagues from across Canada for this unique learning experience.

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 23, 2026

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

Share your expertise and experience with your peers and colleagues!
Proposals accepted now through Thursday, October 22, 2026

CAUBO builds the capacity of leaders in the higher education sector by connecting them with peers and information enabling insights into effective practices, and new and different perspectives.

We invite you to share your expertise and experience by submitting a content proposal for the CAUBO 2027 Annual Conference and Functional Seminars, which will take place in Niagara Falls, Ontario from June 14-16, 2027.

CAUBO is looking for energetic and engaging speakers to deliver diverse, interactive, and thought-provoking conference presentations tailored to HE administrators. We are looking for a combination of presentations that provide an overview of a topic and those that also provide a “deeper dive”.

CAUBO’s 2027 Call for Proposal submission period remains open until October 22, 2026.

• demonstrates practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve decision-making, service delivery, productivity, or institutional effectiveness
• shares effective change management and organizational transformation strategies, including lessons learned and measurable outcomes
• highlights innovative approaches to enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, optimization, integration, or modernization
• promotes a culture of shared stewardship, collaboration, and evidence-informed decision-making across the institution
• highlights programs, practices, or policies that have a broad institutional impact (e.g., workforce planning, space management, digitalization)
• provides insights into mitigating risks facing higher education administration (e.g., sustainability, internationalization, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity)
• proposes approaches to addressing financial sustainability through revenue diversification, cost management, multi-year financial planning in times of uncertain enrolment, resource optimization, or organizational efficiencies
• fosters improved service delivery and enhances productivity, effectiveness, or operational efficiency within a team, function, or institution
• promotes campus well-being, including mental health, employee engagement, organizational culture, and inclusive workplaces

We want to hear from you. Find out more about the content guidelines and how you can submit a conference presentation proposal by click here.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and connecting with you in Niagara Falls in June 2027!

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