Each July, the Institute hosts a four-day seminar providing an opportunity for administrators and leaders at Catholic colleges and universities around the globe to interact with scholars and practitioners addressing issues faced by Catholic higher education.
2024 Seminar
Administrative leaders from around the globe gather annually and ask questions about the mission, culture, and policies of Catholic institutions of higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions
The seminar is designed for administrative leaders at Catholic institutions such as presidents, provosts, vice-presidents, deans, mission officers, major program directors, and others in positions responsible for institutional mission and identity. The Institute has attracted administrators from Catholic colleges and universities across the United States, Australia, South America, Belize, Canada, Taiwan, Ghana, Guatemala, the Philippines, Haiti, and South Africa.
- What does it mean to be a Catholic college or university in the 21st century?
- How do we animate a Catholic campus culture?
- What role does the Catholic intellectual tradition play to inform curriculum and intellectual life?
- What defines the nature of the relationships and the appropriate practices between institutions of Catholic higher education and the Church?
- What are the implications of increased lay leadership in Catholic colleges and universities?
- How does Catholic social and moral teaching inform campus culture, policies and curriculum?
- How do we assess the mission?
The comprehensive fee is $2,500 and includes registration, tuition, all Institute-related materials, room and board, and special events. A limited number of partial grants may be awarded based upon indicated financial need. Applicants seeking financial assistance are asked to contact Dr. Michael James at 617-552-0763.
Because of the collegial nature of the Institute, participants reside at Boston College's Connors Family Retreat and Conference Center in Dover, MA, approximately 30 minutes away from the Boston College campus. Private baths are available and linens are provided. Participants are asked to provide their own toiletries. The Institute staff will secure participants' accomodations at the Connors Center.
If arriving before Sunday or departing after Friday, the participant needs to make their own accommodations outside of the Connors Family Retreat and Conference Center.
All meals for the week are provided with the exception of Wednesday evening for participants to explore Boston. The daily schedule will designate the times and locations for each meal. Every evening, refreshments will be available.
No. Travel accommodations to and from the Institute should be arranged by the participant. Boston taxis provide a convenient, though expensive, method of transportation to and from the Connors Family Retreat and Conference Center in Dover.
- Metro Cab of Boston : 617-782-5500
- Boston Cab : 617-536-5010
- Uber
Participants are required to bring and use laptops and tablet devices. Devices will be used to access the Institute Canvas site (schedule, readings, contact information) and other necessary materials throughout the Institute. Charging devices for electronics are not provided by Boston College.
The internet is accessible on all wifi-compatible devices using the Boston College network. Instructions for connecting to the network will be included in the Institute folder on the Canvas site.
Participants will be sent an email invitation with login credentials to the Institute Canvas site one month prior to the event in order to acces a schedule for each day and all necessary literature provided by Institute faculty. The email address that participants provide as part of their application will be their username. Participants are instructed to enter their login credentials to gain access to the Institute Canvas site.
Business casual attire is suggested for the duration of the Institute.
Meet the Institute Director
Michael James, Ph.D.
Institute Director
Michael James is the director of the Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education and a full-time lecturer in the Boston College Master of Arts (M.A.) of Higher Education program where he coordinates the degree concentration in Spirituality, Faith and Formation in Higher Education.
He also teaches the three-credit course Catholic Higher Education: Administration & Leadership for Boston College students enrolled in the Executive Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education program who elected to complete a concentration in Catholic Higher Education. Students in this optional concentration will attend the annual Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education during their final summer residency, providing an opportunity to network with the international Catholic administrator community.
Prior to his appointment at Boston College, Michael served as the Vice President for research and professional development with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Washington, DC, and as the Senior Officer and Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. He has held a variety of student-service administrative positions in admissions, financial aid, and residence life at both Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame. Michael James is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he studied Theology and Psychology. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy of education, and educational policy studies and higher education administration from the Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
He is formerly the Chief-Editor of the research journal, Journal of Catholic Education and co-editor for the academic journal, Claritas: A Journal of Culture and Dialogue. Michael lectures internationally on topics including: educational leadership; institutional mission and strategic planning and spirituality, faith and the college student experience. Dr. James is a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship Award bestowed by the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Michael’s most recent book publications include Education’s Highest Aim: Teaching and Learning Through a Spirituality of Communion. 2010. New City Press: Hyde Park, NY. and 5 Steps to Effective Student Leadership. 2014. New City Press: Hyde Park, NY.