News

January 31, 2025

Maria College President Joins Elite Group of Leaders at Yale Higher Education Leadership Summit

Maria College President Lynn Ortale was among a distinguished group of higher education leaders who gathered at Yale University on Jan. 28 for the 10th annual Yale Higher Education Leadership Summit.

The event, held at Edward P. Evans Hall, brought together more than 30 top presidents, chancellors, and board chairs from universities across the U.S. to address the evolving challenges and future of higher education.

The theme of this year’s gathering, “The Campus as an Oasis of Trust: Advancing Knowledge, Truth, Opinion & Solvency,” explored how universities can preserve their integrity and importance amid growing public scrutiny. Discussions covered topics like rising educational costs, campus criticisms, and the leadership challenges university presidents face.

“Higher education is at a crossroads, and we must come together to strengthen our collective mission,” said Dr. Ortale, the sole representative from the Conference for Mercy Higher Education in attendance. “The summit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage in candid, constructive conversations with colleagues about the pressing issues we face. It’s a reminder that the work we do as leaders has a lasting impact on the future of our institutions and our students.”

During the event, Amy Gutmann, President of the University of Pennsylvania, was honored with the Legend in Leadership Award for her contributions to higher education.

Attendees represented a cross-section of prestigious universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Dartmouth, Lehigh, and the University of Chicago, who offered insights and perspectives on the future of academia.