The Oxford Conclave

On Global Higher Education

The Oxford Conclave on Global Higher Education is a focused retreat where a small group of invited college and university presidents reflect on some of the most pressing issues facing leaders in higher education.

Managed and directed by Dr. John Knapp and his wife Kelly, the three-day program is convened annually at the University of Oxford, a venue where presidents work in an environment steeped in tradition and have access to the world-renowned experts and resources of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Attendance is by invitation and limited to a maximum of 10 institutions annually.

Since its inception in 2004, The Oxford Conclave has gathered leaders of more than 85 colleges and universities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa to share best practices and discuss their roles as leaders. It was cofounded by Dr. Knapp and the late Dr. Betty L. Siegel, the long-serving president of Kennesaw State University. Partner organizations have included several universities and the Consortium for Global Education.

Delegates to The Oxford Conclave have worked collaboratively on a range of timely topics including leadership development, the ethics of artificial intelligence, preparing students for the future of work, interdisciplinary innovation, student mental health, environmental sustainability, and addressing challenging aspects of institutional history.