CACUBOconducted a comprehensive professional needs assessment study among its membership and found that a significant number of administrative personnel involved in college and university business operations and management expressed frustration over the lack of time to pursue personal and professional development. Conventional graduate and continuing education programs were not seen as appropriate for furthering their career aspirations. These expressed needs prompted CACUBO to initiate strategic planning to explore educational and professional needs of higher education administrators and the eventual sponsorship of an innovative program to promote leadershipandmanagementdevelopment. The outcome was the creation of the Collegiate Management Institute(CMI) in 1987, a dynamic and innovative one- week, two-level professional development program which has international recognition as "The Program That Builds Leaders!"

In 2005, CACUBO introduced a new dimension, the Alumni Experience (AE), in response to CMI alumni's eagerness to continue their leadership development and enhancement of skills. Participants evaluated the AE so highly that they recommended that we offer the exact same program, so that more alumni could benefit. We have accepted their recommendation, and the CMI 2008 Alumni Experience will take place May 21-22, concurrently with CMI at Miami University..

The two-level Collegiate Management Institute program allows individuals to develop essential competencies leading to professional, technical, and personal growth. The Institute provides training by nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Its uniqueness stems from solid case study work involving group interaction throughout the week. During the program, participants engage in hands-on experiences that offer practical approaches to campus operations and leadership activities. Participants have opportunities to discuss work-related problems and solutions with colleagues who hold similar positions in colleges and universities across the country. As a bonus, they receive state of the art materials for future reference and gain access to a network of associates for continued personal growth.

Graduates of the CMI program develop increased resourcefulness, confidence, and willingness to make a difference in their daily affairs.