CCBO

Leadership Academy

 

It’s the only education program designed for community college business officers. A year long program led by industry experts, where participants engage in hands-on learning and an active mentorship.

Leadership Academy – Hilton New Orleans Riverside

September 21 – 22, 2026

Thank you to our
2026 Leadership Academy Sponsor

Leadership Academy includes two full days of pre-conference education designed to develop leadership knowledge and skills needed within community college business and operations settings.

Participation also includes intimate networking opportunities, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and one reception.

Click here for session and speaker preview.

First-year Leadership Academy enrollment includes registration fees for both 2026 and 2027 Leadership Academy and Annual Conference.

  • Member Rate: $1,815
  • Non-member Rate: $2,065

There is no cost for second-year participants to attend; however, registration is required.

Register Today!
Agenda
Download Leadership Academy Flyer

HILTON NEW ORLEANS RIVERSIDE
TWO POYDRAS STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70130

Hotel reservations are now open for CCBO Leadership Academy and Annual Conference in New Orleans. Attendees can book their stay at the discounted rate of $259 per night, plus resort fees and taxes, through August 21, 2026.

CCBO encourages attendees to book through our official hotel block. Reservations made outside this block, including through third-party platforms, may incur additional fees.

Self-parking is $50 per day with in-and-out privileges. Valet parking is $58.

Why Attend

The CCBO Leadership Academy?

The Leadership Academy is succession planning at its best.  If you are considering this for your staff in the business office this is how you can equip and prepare your employees to grow in your organization.  If you are considering the Leadership Academy for yourself, this is your opportunity to grow as a leader and spend time on how you want to grow in your career.

CCBO’s Leadership Academy is the ONLY educational opportunity geared directly for community college business officers and their staff, taught by seasoned community college business officers from across the nation.

The cost is reasonable, the return outstanding. Your future and the future of your institution makes this a critically important decision with a truly positive return on investment that will pay over your lifetime.

The Purpose

The Academy’s goal is to provide participants with the knowledge of the theories and practice of leadership within a community college as an institution of higher education. The Academy is designed to train the next generation of Chief Business Officers and to provide current leaders with updated information on national issues facing community colleges.

The Participants

Participants come from various departments and positions within community colleges. The Academy is open to all potential and current leaders. Applicants should have experience in a community college business/administrative office; however, consideration will be given to those who do not have an administrative background. Academy participants do not need to be CCBO members to participate.

The Format

The program spans one year, beginning and ending with the CCBO Annual Conferences. The format requires that all students arrive two days prior to the CCBO Annual Conference. These two days are designed for students to have full immersion in the curriculum of the Academy. All students are expected to attend the CCBO Annual Conference following the Academy sessions and take advantage of other learning opportunities as well. This same timeline will occur for the subsequent year.

CPE Credits

Participants may earn 20 or more CPE credits. Nearly 35 hours of programming, split between two conferences, is created for participants to become immersed in discussions and activities related to leadership skills, current community college issues, and relevant topics. Please note there is a mid-year project that all participants are required to complete.

More About

Enrollment Fees

The cost of the Leadership Academy is $1,650 for members and $1,875 for non members, which includes Leadership Academy enrollment and Annual Conference registration for two years. Registration for the 2025 Leadership Academy is open. Please visit the CCBO Conference Page to register.

CCBO

Business partners

CCBO extends a special invitation to our business partners to join institutional members in the Leadership Academy. This is a great opportunity for partners to better understand the higher education industry and trends, and to develop relationships with community college colleagues from across the country. Participation is limited to those companies already exhibiting at the 2025 CCBO Annual International Conference. No more than two business partners will be allowed in an Academy class.

"CCBO Leadership Academy is about empowering people through relationships, peer learning, memorable discussions, and the important decisions we face within our own communities."

– Evelyn Johnsen, Grants Compliance & Financial Manager, Dallas County Community College District, Class of 2014

"CCBO Leadership Academy adds a special layer of community within the CCBO Annual Conference. You have an opportunity to form relationships as you are being challenged to develop your leadership skills."

– Sinthea Reynolds, Leadership Academy graduate

"Participation in the Leadership Academy provided the opportunity to grow and expand on the skill set I already had. It helped me to overcome fears related to public speaking and provided a foundation to be a solid leader for my institution. Relationships with my classmates developed as well, providing a wealth of resources to draw on."

– Jennifer Fenske, Class of 2017

"The Leadership Academy shows that others are going through or have gone through the same issue you are experiencing at your institution, which allows for great conversation while discussing resolutions."

– Beth Young, Class of 2015

"When I came into higher education, I was encouraged by the then-treasurer to attend the Leadership Academy and Annual Conference, and I was hooked. CCBO members are a great resource and always willing to share successes and failures to heal colleagues in the community college arena. CCBO is the only organization I have found that exclusively supports community college business officers."

– Chris Murphy, Class of 2013

"The Leadership Academy armed me with the skills I needed to transition from comptroller to CFO. I had the technical financial skills, but I lacked the softer leadership skills."

– Charlotte Eubank, Class of 2012

The Leadership Academy program is a two-day immersive experience where participants learn the soft skills needed to grow in their careers. Tuition covers registration in the Academy + the CCBO Annual Conference for two consecutive years. 

Get More Info

PO Box 80994
Charleston, SC 29416
(434) 293-2825
info@ccbo.org