This three-part webinar series led by the experts of CFAR Consulting and Coaching is designed to support NACU member institutions as they lead and navigate unprecedented change in higher education. Each 75-minute session offers a blend of ideas based on research in organizational change, interactive discussions, and practical tools tailored to the unique roles of participants, from senior leaders to mid-level administrators and campus-wide teams in higher ed. The series will equip attendees to respond effectively to both planned and unplanned change, build momentum for new initiatives, and sustain themselves and their communities in the challenging moment of turbulent change.
This virtual series is included as a benefit for administrators, faculty, and staff at NACU institutions. This series is exclusive to NACU members and open to everyone on campus. There is no cost to participate. PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NEED TO USE YOUR CAMPUS-BASED EMAIL TO REGISTER SO THAT WE CAN VERIFY YOU ARE ON FACULTY OR STAFF AT A NACU CAMPUS.
Primary Audience: Senior leaders
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 12 – 1:15 pm ET
This session explores how today’s “unignorable” moment in higher education—marked by external pressures, declining trust, and organizational disruption—can be a catalyst for strategic change. Leaders will reflect on planned vs. emergent change, how to get unstuck when faced with overwhelming turbulence, and how to build trust through transparency in communication. Breakout discussions will help participants apply key ideas to their own challenges.
Primary Audience: Mid-level administrators
Friday, November 14, 2025 | 12 – 1:15 pm ET
This webinar introduces a campaign approach to change that emphasizes momentum, engagement, and narrative. Participants will learn to map stakeholders, address resistance, and use real-world examples to reframe their own change efforts. The session highlights tools for sustaining energy and optimism during ongoing transitions.
Audience: Suitable for administrators, faculty, and staff at all levels
Friday, December 5, 2025 | 12 – 1:15 pm ET
Focusing on the emotional dimensions of change, this session offers strategies for preventing burnout, resisting overload, and building team resilience. Topics include the change curve and self-awareness of change, systemic approaches to managing priorities and workflow, and community building as an antidote to burnout. Change can be depleting, but leaders and teams can stay motivated, connected, and optimistic as they face it.
Barry Dornfeld, PhD, is a Principal at CFAR and a strategic advisor specializing in culture, organizational change, and collaboration across sectors. He leads CFAR’s Higher Education practice and founded CultureLab, a think tank focused on organizational culture, drawing on deep experience in consulting, teaching, and media. Full Bio
Cecilia Garza Madden is a consultant at CFAR with over 15 years of experience in education, nonprofits, and city government, including leadership roles at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the University of Pennsylvania. She is committed to helping organizations build healthy cultures, develop clear strategies, and increase their impact. Full Bio
Erin Konkle, Senior Manager at CFAR, brings over 15 years of experience leading organizational transformation in complex institutions, with expertise in strategic planning, leadership development, and organizational design. She has worked alongside college presidents and senior teams to implement institution-wide initiatives that drive measurable improvements in effectiveness and culture. Full Bio
Phone: 937.430.0349
Email: office@nacu.edu
The New American Colleges & Universities