Currently, NERCHE convenes Think Tanks for chief academic officers, chief student affairs officers, associate academic deans, academic deans, chief financial officers, and directors of multicultural affairs. Each Think Tank comprises a yearlong series of sessions that provide opportunities for sustained dialogue and collective reflection among peers at different campuses.

The Chief Academic Officers Think Tank discusses a variety of higher education issues, always focusing squarely on the policy implications of their work. Recently the group has tackled such issues as educating students in a Web 2.0 world, cultivating leadership within the institution, and weathering an economic downturn. In addition, the group has addressed fundamental questions about the future of the U.S. system of higher education, the issue of accreditation, and accountability.

The Chief Student Affairs Officers Think Tank aims to build support and expertise among the leading student affairs administrators in the region. The two themes of community and diversity have been central to discussions since the group was founded in 1988. The sessions consider major issues and changes in higher education in terms of the impact on student life and learning-for example, organizational structures and trends, staff development, and enrollment management in difficult economic times. Members share strategies for leadership and management and over the years have developed workshops, presentations, and publications.

Associate Academic Deans Think Tank members' responsibilities run the gamut from administering academic advising to curricular programs. Members share an intense commitment to insuring that students' academic experiences are supportive and rich. The group has covered a wide range of topics, including academic integrity, institutional citizenship, student retention, and addressing overlapping advising models in student and academic affairs.

The Deans Think Tank offers academic deans an opportunity to explore the issues associated with running "an institution within an institution"-everything from creating policies for promotion and tenure to curricular revisions to collaborative pursuits across the university. The Deans Think Tank considers topics such as linking institutional renewal to faculty transitions, responding to demands for public accountability while sustaining institutional autonomy, and inclusive leadership.

The Chief Financial Officers Think Tank goes far beyond a focus on the bottom line. The group considers the critical issues facing higher education and the processes for working collaboratively with colleagues at their institutions to institute change. Among topics recently discussed are higher education in a global economy, inter-institutional collaboration, and fostering a culture of assessment.

The Multicultural Affairs Think Tank addresses the unique needs of administrators responsible for the multicultural priorities and concerns of their campuses. Rooted in this Think Tank are the ideas that each campus has its own culture and history, and that the director of multicultural affairs is often the key strategist in forwarding a multicultural agenda. Topics that the Think Tank has addressed include outcomes assessment and evaluation in diversity work, building and sustaining a collegiate environment for multicultural students, diversity politics on campus, and leveraging change from the perspective of diversity leadership.

The Department Chairs Think Tank provides support and collegiality for members in addition to facilitating leadership development. Newly reconstituted in 2009, the group will address a range of critical issues such as academic leadership for fostering organizational change; group processes that promote change; promotion and tenure considerations; enhancing a positive,nurturing department culture; financial planning and management; legal issues and compliance; and, dealing with difficult people.

Members of the Engaged Scholarship Think Tank are faculty whose scholarly work-including teaching, research, and service, is informed by their area of expertise, is of benefit to the external community, is visible and shared with community stakeholders, and reflects the mission of the institution. The Think Tank provides a venue for faculty to share their scholarship, including works in progress, and pursue particular lines of inquiry. Click here for a definition of Engaged Scholarship.