Inside AGB

Inaugural Class Completes Board Professional Certificate Program

Congratulations to the inaugural class of AGB’s Board Professional Certificate Program™.
The following individuals completed their certificates on or before June 1, 2023

• Cathy Andrew, Northern Michigan University
• Karen Angemi, Harvey Mudd College
• Sheyonn Baker, Hollins University
• Linda Barge-Miles, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• ToniAnn Biondolillo, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Kim Blankenheim, Mount Mercy University
• Katherine Brinkley, Washington and Lee University
• Jessica Burns, West Virginia University Foundation
• Sparkle Burns, The University of Memphis
• Joshua Cameron, Western University of Health Sciences
• Shayla Carlisle, Indiana Tech
• Angie Carloss, University of Central Florida
• Shree Carter, Vanguard University of Southern California
• Adam Cavotta, New Mexico State University Main Campus
• Kristen Coffey, University of Maryland College Park Foundation
• Nancy Crouse, Saint Augustine’s University
• Edward Cullinane, Babson College
• Heather Dadey, Keystone College
• Theresa DeVecchis, Rowan University
• Laura Dickson, Board of Regents, State of Iowa
• Ellen Doughty, University of Maine System
• Norine Eitel, A.T. Still University of Health Sciences
• Heather Ellison, University of Cincinnati Foundation
• Heather Fehn, The College of New Jersey
• Keisha Fields, Middle Georgia State University Foundation
• Traci Fisher, University of Central Florida
• Diane Fornieri, Molloy University
• Kyle Foster, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• Laney Friedman, College of Charleston Foundation
• Jackie Gooch, Athens State University
• Amanda Gordon, University of Colorado System Office
• Vikki Gore, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences
• Kymberly Graves, Morgan State University Foundation
• Becky Greer, University of North Dakota Foundation
• Abby Grizzle, Augusta University Foundation
• Bryan Hamann, Bellarmine University
• Artis Hampshire-Cowan, AGB Senior Fellow, Senior Consultant
• Emily Harrison, Randolph-Macon College
• Lynnette Heard, AGB Senior Fellow, Senior Consultant, Council Ambassador
• Jennifer Hembree, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
• Joye Hipp, Columbia College
• Tina Holloway, University of Texas System Administration
• Rebecca Houston, Illinois College
• Monica Huffman, University of Central Missouri
• Diana Jackson, Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
• Kammy Jefferson, UNC-Greensboro Excellence Foundation
• Elizabeth Kassebaum, College of Charleston
• Kathleen Kiernan, Siena College
• Brian Kissinger, Franciscan University of Steubenville
• Mary Kowaleski, Saginaw Valley State University
• Jennifer Krengel, University of the Pacific
• Patricia Kunkle, AGB Staff
• Jason Langworthy, University of Minnesota System
• Jimmy Lee, AGB Staff
• Caroline Letourneau, William & Mary Foundation
• RoseMarie London, University of Wyoming
• Kristin Lucas, Carleton College
• Christopher Martin, Southeast Missouri State University
• Christy Martinez, Florida International University Foundation
• Barbara Mash, Ohio University Foundation
• Lesley McBain, AGB Staff
• Barbara McCuen Jones, AGB Staff
• Kari Melvin, Frederick Community College
• Joshua Merchant, Oakland University
• Patricia Miller, Methodist College
• Susanne Miller-Schachinger, Van Andel Institute Graduate School
• Jean Mina, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
• Kellie Miner, William & Mary Business School Foundation
• Chris Moloney, AGB Staff
• Hank Morrow, Clemson University
• Sarah Muehler, Minnesota State University Moorhead Foundation
• Mackenzie Murphy-Wilfong, Tulsa Community College
• Amanda Oleski, William Paterson University of New Jersey
• Melinda Olivarez, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Scott Olson, Utah State University Foundation
• William Parker, Colby College
• Matthew Paskin, University of Alaska Foundation
• Staci Penn, Baylor University
• Teresa Perez, University of Tampa
• Michelle Phillips, Trocaire College
• Kristen Plummer, University of Central Missouri
• Raisha Price, Northeastern University
• Annie Redd, Virginia State University
• Charisse Rogers, North Carolina State University
• Faith Ruiz, Texas Southern University
• Kevin Ryan, Virginia Military Institute
• Michael Sass, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
• Stuart Schmidt, Lakeland University
• Sheila Severson, Viterbo University
• Patricia Smith-Phillips, University of Illinois Foundation
• Keri Straub, Elizabethtown College
• Sara Strickland, California Institute of the Arts
• Martha Tassiello, Adelphi University
• Tina Taub Montemayor, University of Texas System Administration
• Kimberly Taylor, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Synitta Thomas, AGB Staff
• Maggie Thompson, North Carolina State University
• Timothy Viezer, Miami University
• Crystal Wilson, Teachers College, Columbia University
• Audrey Young, AGB Staff
• Roseanne Zimny, Research College of Nursing
• Juli Zinken, University of Alberta

A special thanks to the Board Professional Task Force members who helped design the Board Professional Certificate Program™:

• Amelia Arnold, St. Louis University
• Heather Fehn, The College of New Jersey
• David Fine, Metropolitan State University
• Lynnette Heard, AGB
• Barbara McCuen Jones, AGB
• Patricia Kunkle, AGB
• Lesley McBain, AGB
• David Moore, Ohio University
• Char Reed, Kent State University
• Audrey Young, AGB

New AGB Members

• Catawba College
• Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit
• Holy Cross College
• Naropa University
• Oak Point University
• Richmont Graduate University

These members joined AGB between March 13, 2023, and May 2, 2023.

AGB and ACCU Examine Changing Governance at Catholic Universities

In July 2023, AGB and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) released a new report, “Relationship Reconsidered: Catholic Universities and Their Changing Governance Structures.” Among the major findings, the report highlights an increasing trend toward religious sponsors relinquishing their traditional governance roles due to declining numbers of religious sufficiently expert to participate effectively in governance. In many cases, religious congregations are distancing themselves from active oversight and substituting governance models whereby they determine from afar whether the institution is achieving its ends.

AGB Named a Finalist in Excel Awards for Diversity and Inclusion Initiative

AGB received a silver award in the highly esteemed 43rd Annual EXCEL Awards competition. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of One AGB. The entry, titled “Board Oversight of Equitable Student Success Microsite,” was recognized in the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives category.

AGB Board Chair and Senior Fellow Speak at National Academies Panel on Strengthening STEM Education

AGB board chair Beverly Seay and Senior Fellow Merrill Schwartz recently participated in a National Academies of Science Roundtable on System Change in Undergraduate STEM Education session on “Connections Between Postsecondary Education and Workforce Preparation” in Washington, DC. Their panel focused on the role of the board in institutional efforts to strengthen STEM education and make it more equitable. The panel was moderated by Mark Lee, associate professor at Spelman College, and included Jee Hang Lee, president of the Association of Community College Trustees, and Felecia Commodore, associate professor at Old Dominion University. Insights for the presentation reflected leadership principles and other best practices from AGB’s toolkit on Board Responsibility for Equitable Student Success, developed with funding from the Gates Foundation.

Recent Podcasts

AGB’s Morgan Alexander recently sat down with Blue Moon Consulting Group’s Simon Barker and Erin Bossen to discuss “Navigating Communication and Cultural Challenges on Campus: Insights for College and University Leadership.” The June podcast explored how to distinguish between the board’s and the administration’s roles in managing cultural issues, to set parameters and processes for communicating with key constituencies, to clarify institutional values and use them as a guide through complex issues, and to ask key questions of the institution’s leadership team to ensure the institution is prepared to navigate cultural challenges with tact and insight. AGB Senior Vice President and Chief Membership Experience Officer Patti Kunkle led a conversation with Board Professional Certificate Program™ Task Force members Lynnette Heard and Charlene Reed about how the online program elevates the board professional and equips those in the role with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their duties.