Lee University’s Dr. Jeff Salyer, Nate Tucker, and Josh York recently presented at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) International Forum. The conference, held every four years, is the largest global gathering of Christian higher education professionals uniting leaders to explore pressing issues and emerging trends, while celebrating the role Christian higher education plays across the globe.   
 
Salyer, vice president for Enrollment and Marketing at Lee University, and York, vice president for Operations, presented on the strategic transformation of Lee’s Welcome Center into a fully integrated “one stop shop” for prospective students and families. The session explored how the university reimagined its front door by bringing Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Services, and other key offices into one cohesive space designed around hospitality, storytelling, and mission alignment. Salyer emphasized how physical space, organizational structure, and narrative strategy work together to create a seamless and transformational campus visit experience. York discussed the operational and project‑management aspects of the project, highlighting the behind‑the‑scenes work required to translate vision into reality.  
 
“The CCCU International Forum provided an opportunity to learn from peer institutions who are thinking deeply about mission-driven innovation in Christian higher education,” said Salyer. “It was encouraging to share how Lee’s Welcome Center reflects our commitment to serving students and families with excellence, clarity, and Christ-centered hospitality. Conversations like these strengthen our collective work of shaping the future of Christian higher education.” 
 

Tucker, vice president for Information Technology, presented during the panel “Leading Faithfully in a Digital Age: Perspectives from Christian Higher Ed Technology Leaders.” The roundtable session explored how chief information officers and information technology leaders in faith-based institutions are navigating digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, vendor ethics, and the pastoral dimensions of leadership. The conversation focused on how institutions can use technology as a tool for stewardship, student flourishing, and institutional resilience while remaining rooted in biblical convictions. 
 
Tucker is also serving his second year on the CCCU’s Commission on Technology, one of several commissions that provide leadership across key areas of university life. The Commission brings together technology leaders from member institutions to collaborate on shared challenges and emerging trends within Christian higher education. 
 
“Attending the CCCU conference was essential to my work as a technology and institutional leader within Christian higher education,” said Tucker. “The rapid pace of digital change demands thoughtful, mission‑anchored discernment, and this gathering created a rare space where chief information officers and information technology leaders could wrestle with those questions together. Participating in the panel allowed me to engage directly with peers who are navigating the same tensions we face at our institutions—leveraging innovation while safeguarding community, strengthening cybersecurity while honoring trust, and exploring artificial intelligence while remaining grounded in biblical convictions.” 
 
The three-day event celebrated the CCCU’s 50th anniversary and its impact in shaping national conversations to equip Christian leaders and advance academic excellence bringing together participants and speakers from around the world. 
 
“The Forum provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with colleagues from a wide range of Christian institutions who are thinking deeply about enrollment, student experience, and mission‑driven innovation,” said York. “The variety of sessions and the quality of informal networking conversations helped broaden my understanding of how others are approaching similar work. Hearing those perspectives sharpened my own thinking and affirmed the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of Christian higher education.” 
 
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 170 Christian institutions around the world. Since 1976, the CCCU has served as the leading voice of Christian higher education. With campuses across the globe, including more than 130 in the U.S. and Canada and more than 30 from an additional 18 countries, CCCU institutions are accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities whose missions are Christ-centered and rooted in the historic Christian faith. The CCCU’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help our institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth. 
 
For more information on the CCCU Forum, visit forum.cccu.org or cccu.org.