About

Since 2004 The Oxford Conclave has convened leaders of colleges and universities from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa to address common challenges and share best practices. This invitation-only retreat at the oldest university in the English-speaking world fosters reflection and dialog on the timeless mission of higher education and the challenges facing today’s leaders.  Leaders of more than 85 institutions have participated in this three-day experience, developing lasting relationships with colleagues and envisioning fresh strategies for leadership.  A program track is provided for spouses and partners, and presidents are often invited to bring a senior-level colleague whose work is relevant to the topic of the retreat.  Some past programs have included special sessions for chief academic officers, campus chaplains, chief development officers, and public affairs executives, among others.

Speakers and facilitators at The Oxford Conclave have included Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu; Nathan Law, activist leader of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong; Sustainability Pioneer Ray Anderson, chairman of InterfaceCorp.; Leader-to-Leader Chairman Frances Hesselbein, former CEO of the Girl Scouts of America; Former Chief Justice of South Africa Arthur Chaskalson; Harvard University Scholar and author Dr. Howard Gardner; author and leadership expert Dr. Stephen R. Covey; and many noted scholars at the University of Oxford.

The program is managed and facilitated annually by Dr. John Knapp of Knapp Leadership, LLC, and his wife Kelly, and a partnership with the Consortium for Global Education fosters connections with international universities.

The Oxford Conclave is a truly unique opportunity for university presidents to meet together in a safe environment for peer-to-peer conversation and collaboration.  Participating institutions have included:

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
  • Albany State University
  • American University
  • Armstrong Atlantic State University
  • Atlanta Metropolitan College
  • Augusta State University
  • Bainbridge College
  • Balliol College, University of Oxford
  • California Baptist University
  • Calvin University
  • Campbell University
  • Campbelsville University
  • Catawba College
  • Centenary College
  • City University of New York
  • Clayton State University
  • College of St. Benedict
  • Columbus State University
  • Consortium for Global Education
  • Copperbelt University, South Africa
  • Council of Independent Colleges
  • Corban University
  • Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, UK
  • Dalton College
  • Drew University
  • Dublin City University
  • Durban University of Technology, South Africa
  • East Carolina University
  • Fort Valley State University
  • Gainesville State College
  • George Fox University
  • Georgia College & State University
  • Georgia Highlands College
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Georgia Perimeter College
  • Georgia Southern University
  • Georgia Southwestern State University
  • Georgia State University
  • Gordon College
  • Greenville College
  • Hartford College, University of Oxford
  • Hope College
  • Howard Payne University
  • Kennesaw State University
  • LCC International University, Lithuania
  • Liverpool Hope University, UK
  • Medical College of Georgia
  • Middle Georgia College
  • Morehouse College
  • Morris Brown College
  • Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary
  • Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
  • North Central College
  • North Georgia College & State University
  • Northrise University, Zambia
  • Notre Dame University – Louaize
  • Oriel College, University of Oxford, UK
  • Rhodes College
  • Salus University
  • Samarkand International University of Technology, Uzbekistan
  • Samford University
  • Savannah State University
  • South Georgia College
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • St. Patrick University
  • Southern Polytechnic State University
  • Stellenbosch University, South Africa
  • University of Alaska – Anchorage
  • University of Austin
  • University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Fort Hare, South Africa
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Johannesburg, South Africa
  • University of Namibia
  • University of North Dakota
  • University of Olivet
  • University of Oxford
  • University of South Africa
  • University of West Georgia
  • University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
  • University of Zululand, South Africa
  • Utah Valley University
  • Valdosta State University
  • Washington & Jefferson College
  • Waycross College
  • Whitworth University