ACAO is a not for profit association for CAOs that promotes conversations important for all types of institutions of post-secondary education.
The idea for the development of an organization for chief academic officers was born among a small group of academic VPs who attended the 2012 ACE annual meeting. While attending the meeting with their ACE Fellows, the academic VPs realized that many, perhaps most, of the important ACE conversations were reserved for presidents and chancellors. This led the CAOs to think about how the value of att
ending the ACE annual meeting might be augmented for academic affairs leaders, especially in light of the expanding role of the chief academic officer on most campuses. As presidents become more involved with fundraising and external university relations, CAOs increasingly become responsible for campus matters previously falling under the purview of the Office of the President. Why not increase the interactions and enhance the conversations among presidents and academic VPs at national meetings, while also providing a forum specifically for the academic VPs to discuss matters important to themselves and their institutions? Thus, the idea emerged for a new organization specifically for CAOs that would promote conversations important for all types of institutions of post-secondary education. The organization would bring together academic affairs leaders from public, private, 4- and 2-year institutions; from not-for-profit, for-profit, research, liberal arts, and technical colleges; from urban and suburban, large and small, specialized and comprehensive, US-based and international universities, colleges, community colleges, and universities. The new organization would focus on issues shared throughout academic affairs in higher education, regardless of particular institutional mission. This new idea was then shared with a group who attended a CAO-only luncheon, hosted by SAGE Publications, with a panel presentation on the future of the academic library. The assembled CAOs were in agreement about the need for a venue in which academic affairs leaders could share concerns and best practices, provide mentoring for one another and more junior colleagues, and learn about academic leadership issues across institutional sectors. Since that initial luncheon, a steering committee overseeing the new organization drafted bylaws, selected interim officers, organized a day-long program of panels and presentations for the first day of the 2013 ACE meeting, and conducted the inaugural business meeting of what had become the Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO). Many institutions joined as charter members of the organization, and with the assistance of ACE, a membership drive was conducted and a daylong program of activities was held for the 2014 annual meeting of ACAO in conjunction with the ACE annual meeting. At the 2014 business meeting, the inaugural board of directors and officers were elected. ACAO leadership has completed the process for incorporating the organization as an independent nonprofit, whose business and meetings will continue to be coordinated with ACE. An Interim Executive Director has now been hired, a virtual office for the directorate has been set up, and a CAO Forum functions to promote the interactions and conversations of ACAO members.
04/24/2026
🌟 New ACAO Member Spotlight: Shelley A. Johnson, PhD, EdD, MBA, MSN, NE-BC, CNE, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Joyce University 🌟
We are excited to welcome Dr. Johnson to ACAO! Learn a little more about her below:
📆 How long have you been a CAO? 3 years
🏆 Most rewarding part of the role: Helping to create the faculty and student experience.
📈 Biggest challenge right now: Strategic AI integration for student learning - specifically bringing the faculty and curriculum teams along.
🧠 Advice for aspiring CAOs: Remember that we are here to serve.
🖼️ Fun fact: I look to view and participate in all types of art. Creativity is inspriring!
04/21/2026
We hope you can join us today for a Members Only Quick Chat from 1:30-2pm ET!
Topic: AI On Campus - What's the Institutional Approach?
Description: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, raising important questions about institutional strategy, governance, and academic integrity. Join this peer-to-peer Quick Chat to discuss how institutions are approaching AI and the role of the Provost in responding to these changes. Participants will share how their campuses are developing policies, guiding faculty, and integrating AI into teaching and learning. Attendees should be prepared to actively participate and share insights in this candid, collegial discussion.
Log into your member profile at acao.org for additional information and to register.
04/14/2026
Join us for a Members Only Quick Chat on April 21st from 1:30-2pm ET.
Topic: AI On Campus - What's the Institutional Approach?
Description: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, raising important questions about institutional strategy, governance, and academic integrity. Join this peer-to-peer Quick Chat to discuss how institutions are approaching AI and the role of the Provost in responding to these changes. Participants will share how their campuses are developing policies, guiding faculty, and integrating AI into teaching and learning. Attendees should be prepared to actively participate and share insights in this candid, collegial discussion.
Log into your member profile at acao.org for additional information and to register.
04/10/2026
Thank you to Mary Kennard, Esq., Senior Consultant at Academic Search, for contributing this week's ACAO Blog.
Meet Gregor Thuswaldner, Ph.D., Provost & Dean of the Faculty at La Roche University in Pittsburgh and ACAO Interim Board Member!
📅 How long have you been a CAO? I've been a CAO for about five years across three institutions - starting as Acting Provost at North Park University, then four years at Whitworth University, and now at La Roche University. Each institution has given me different perspectives on academic leadership, from larger comprehensive universities to smaller mission-driven institutions.
🏆 Most Rewarding Part of the Role: Building things new and improving processes. It's a privilege to work with faculty and fellow administrators to create structures and initiatives that didn't exist before, whether that's launching a Center for Teaching and Learning, integrating AI across the curriculum, reimagining the humanities, or embedding career pathways into our majors. The most rewarding moments are when you move from concept to reality and see faculty and students benefit from something you built together.
🤔 Biggest Challenge Right Now (and how you're approaching it): Growing undergraduate enrollment. We're tackling this through a rigorous academic program portfolio review, which includes using labor market data and enrollment analytics, so we can ensure that what we offer aligns with what students want and employers need.
🧠 One piece of advice for aspiring CAOs: Get The Chief Academic Officer's Handbook: A Provost's Guide to Visionary Leadership (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) and learn from a range of sitting and former provosts!
🍞 A fun fact or passion outside of work: Cooking and baking European sourdough breads and cakes is a fantastic stress reliever. I just made Leinsamenbrot (flaxseed bread) and Sachertorte over the weekend.
If you would like to participate in a future Monthly Member Spotlight, please email [email protected].
03/11/2026
🌟 ACAO Monthly Member Spotlight 🌟
Meet Robyn Parker, Ph.D., Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs at Saybrook University, and ACAO Board Member and Professional Development Committee Chair!
📅 How long have you been a CAO? 4 years
🏆 Most Rewarding Part of the Role: Working across the institution to scale innovations that advance the University mission of relentlessly pursuing a socially just, sustainable world by educating humanistic leaders who transform their fields and communities.
🤔 Biggest Challenge Right Now (and how you're approaching it): The most rewarding is also the most challenging as it involves building systems and processes, which require at least some unification of approach. This is particularly challenging with 60% of our students in doctoral programs and writing dissertations, a time and person intensive activity. There are a number of methods for carrying out design work, all of which involve bringing the stakeholders together to inform process development. I find collaborative meeting design to be an essential skill, and it also supports shared governance.
🧠 One piece of advice for aspiring CAOs: Be straight with people. Tell them the what and why and, whenever possible, let them design the how. Don’t collect feedback; seek input instead.
🏃🏻♀️ A fun fact or passion outside of work: I’ve run 5 marathons and I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone. I’m not sure what that says about me, but there you have it!
If you would like to participate in a future Monthly Member Spotlight, please email [email protected].
03/10/2026
📣 Attention ACAO Members 📣
Join us today from 2:30-3pm ET for our March Quick Chat on
"Accreditation: It's Not for the Faint of Heart".
Members will come together for an honest conversation about navigating accreditation with confidence, clarity, and support. Bring your questions, your stories, and your hard-earned wisdom.
🌟 New ACAO Member Spotlight: Matthew Liao-Troth, Ph.D. 🌟
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Matthew Liao-Troth to the ACAO community! Matthew serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs/CAO at .
Here’s a little more about him:
📆 How long have you been a CAO? Since 2012 (Georgia College & State University, Hawai’i Pacific University, and now St. Petersburg College)
🏆 Most rewarding part of the role: Getting to solve problems to make everyone’s life easier working on our school's mission.
📈 Biggest challenge right now: Anticipating AHEAD (program level pell)—We are paying a lot of attention to our state education leaders, and running scenarios.
🧠 Advice for aspiring CAOs: Talk with folks before change—they appreciate it!
🏃🏻♂️ Fun fact: Half-marathons are my thing. Tried a full marathon earlier this year, and I recommitted to half-marathons!
Welcome, Matthew!
01/20/2026
***UPCOMING ACAO MEMBER EVENT***
Join us on Monday, January 26th from 4-5pm ET for a virtual Town Hall: "The Provost’s Playbook: A Virtual Fireside Chat".
A candid, practical conversation with editor Gregor Thuswaldner, drawn from The Chief Academic Officer’s Handbook. We’ll unpack the mindsets, partnerships, and communication moves that drive impact—how to navigate change and campus culture, lead as chief communicator, and tell your institution’s story with credibility—so you can turn strategy into outcomes. Expect field-tested insights, real-world scenarios, and takeaways you can use immediately. We’ll wrap with a quick Lightning Round and a take‑home Provost’s Toolkit.
Registration is OPEN for the 2026 ACAO Annual Meeting, CAO Professional Development Series, and Networking Lunch! This single-day event will be held the day before the ACE Experience 2026 and will take place on Wednesday, February 25th at the ACE office located at 1 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC.
Meet Sophia Maggelakis, PhD, Executive Vice President and Provost at Wentworth Institute of Technology and ACAO Board Member!
📅 How long have you been a CAO? Three years
🏆 Most Rewarding Part of the Role: Seeing students, faculty, and staff thrive and building on our shared commitment to academic excellence.
🤔 Biggest Challenge Right Now (and how you're approaching it): Balancing priorities and competing goals in a rapidly changing higher education landscape. I approach this by focusing on the impact we make as educators, striving to make our communities and world better. It also takes courage to refuse to let fear limit our vision and steadfastness in our values of integrity, curiosity, and empathy.
🧠 One piece of advice for aspiring CAOs: Stay grounded in purpose and embrace the power we hold as educators and leaders. Every act of guidance and support, no matter how small, can shape the path of a student, faculty member, or staff colleague.
🦉 A fun fact or passion outside of work: I enjoy hiking and bird watching. Being outdoors helps me recharge and find perspective.
If you would like to participate in a future Monthly Member Spotlight, please email [email protected].
12/08/2025
ACAO members are invited to join one of our working committees!
Choose from one of the three committees detailed below, email [email protected] with your committee preference, and we will add you to the recurring calendar invite.
📣 Membership & Communications Committee - Develop national outreach strategy, track new member onboarding and renewals, manage communications channels, and implement visibility initiatives including the ACAO blog. This committee meets on the 4th Friday of each month at 1pm ET.
🕴Professional Development Committee - Develop training programs for CAOs and their teams, guide new book programming, oversee podcast production, and plan annual meeting content. This committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2pm ET.
🤝 Partnership Committee - Identify potential sponsors and collaborators, secure revenue- generating partnerships, and develop mutually beneficial relationships with aligned organizations. This committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 10:30am ET.
04/24/2026
04/21/2026
04/14/2026
04/10/2026
04/07/2026
03/11/2026
03/10/2026
03/03/2026
01/20/2026
01/14/2026
12/15/2025
12/08/2025