Highlights from the Association of Chief Business Officials (ACBO) Spring 2025 Conference
The 2025 ACBO Spring Conference, held in Lake Tahoe, united business officers from across California’s Community colleges for three days of knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration. The event kicked off with an insightful keynote by Ellen Zentner, Chief Economic Strategist and Global Head of Thematic and Macro Investing at Morgan Stanley, who delivered a forward-looking economic forecast tailored to the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today.
The conference featured a wide range of sessions organized around key themes, including:
- Policy and Legal Landscape: Focused on federal policy changes, legislative developments, immigration enforcement on campus, protected speech, and guidance from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
- Fiscal Strategy and Compliance: Covered topics such as navigating the 50% Law, preparing for bond measures, managing the complexities of financial aid, and understanding the Chief Business Officer’s role in negotiations
- Innovation and Risk: Explored how artificial intelligence (AI), risk management strategies, and strategic procurement can drive operational efficiency and support long-term planning
One of the featured breakout sessions, “Strategic Procurement: Unlocking Cost Savings and Operational Efficiencies,” was presented by Angelic Davis (Mt. San Antonio College), Fred Williams (North Orange County Community College District), and Jennifer Keiper (Foundation for California Community Colleges). The session explored how cooperative contracts and streamlined procurement strategies can help colleges reduce administrative burden, achieve cost savings, and advance institutional priorities. Real-world examples from Mt. San Antonio College and North Orange County Community College brought these concepts to life, demonstrating their practical impact.
As colleges continue to navigate shifting economic and regulatory conditions, the ACBO conference reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in meeting the challenges ahead.
