The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) presented Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs for EMU, with its Chief Academic Officers Task Force Award at the 2025 held in Indianapolis from Nov. 1-4.
The award honors Willingham for her years of service to the CIC鈥檚 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鈥� lunch since 2023.
鈥淎s a first-generation college graduate who feels it鈥檚 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鈥檓 doing the right work and living out my calling,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to feel that affirmation and support around me.鈥�
While in Indianapolis, Willingham met with provosts and deans from to hear what鈥檚 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 EMU.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 meeting was impactful in many ways,鈥� Willingham said. 鈥淭he 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 EMU, our mission, who we are, and the ways in which we鈥檙e serving our students and supporting student success.鈥�
Although the annual conference is not one that students attend, Willingham said that EMU students made a presence through two videos. Recorded interviews with alumna Meredith Lehman 鈥�25, EMU鈥檚 first Rhodes Scholar, and Makinto, an Eastern Mennonite Seminary student, were shown throughout the event. 鈥淭o see EMU and the voice of our students represented as part of the conference was wonderful,鈥� Willingham said.
About 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鈥檚 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 .
About 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鈥檚 conference was 鈥淏uilding Places of Promise: Unlocking Student Success鈥� and addressed critical issues such as navigating academic freedom, managing campus conflict, preparing students for meaningful careers, and thoughtfully integrating AI on campus.
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