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This is my first CEO Update since the AGB Board of Directors announced that I will serve as the association’s permanent president and CEO, and I want to begin by saying how energized and honored I am to take on this role. At a moment when higher education governance is under unprecedented pressure, AGB’s mission has never been more critical or relevant. The challenges facing colleges and universities today underscore why strong, independent governance matters and why AGB’s advocacy work is grounded in the fundamentals of effective governance principles.
As 2026 unfolds, I continue to hear a consistent message from presidents, board chairs, and trustees across the country about the environment for higher education leadership. It is growing more complex, more politicized, and more demanding than ever. Heightened public scrutiny, state-level intervention, funding uncertainty, and erosion of trust are shaping governance decisions in real time.
In this moment, I cannot overemphasize the importance of sustained advocacy, which is a fundamental responsibility of governing boards.
At AGB, our advocacy strategy is rooted in a conviction I hold deeply: independent, nonpartisan governance is the most durable and credible form of advocacy for higher education. This month, I want to highlight how that belief is guiding our work and why board members are central to advancing it.
Boards as Essential Advocates
Board members bring credibility as civic leaders, community stewards, and fiduciaries. When trustees are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities, they are uniquely positioned to articulate the public value of higher education, engage constructively with policymakers, and help steady institutions during moments of challenge and pressure.
That is why AGB continues to emphasize the importance of equipping board members to serve as informed, principled advocates and provides resources to assist.
Please visit our webpage titled Board Members as Strategic Advocates in Higher Education for tools and resources to boost advocacy efforts.
Strengthening Advocacy Through Partnership
Effective advocacy also requires alignment. No single institution or organization can carry this work alone.
Last month, AGB partnered with the Alliance for Higher Education and the Leadership Now Project to host the webinar “Align. Advocate. Act: Collective Strategies for Higher Education Leadership.” The conversation underscored a powerful truth: when governance leaders, policy experts, and civic organizations speak together, their collective voice carries greater weight than any one perspective alone.
This kind of coordinated, values-based engagement allows higher education leaders to rise above polarization and reaffirm the sector’s role as a public good.
Virginia: A Case Study in Governance Advocacy
Developments in Virginia over the past year have shown how quickly governance norms can be tested and result in destabilizing effects.
AGB’s engagement in the commonwealth has focused on reinforcing core governance fundamentals: clear fiduciary responsibility, well-prepared trustees, and appointment processes that prioritize civic and governance experience over ideology. We have worked directly with state leaders to advance nonpartisan recommendations to strengthen trustee selection and training, clarify fiduciary expectations, and promote greater continuity and balance in appointment processes to support institutional independence.
This work is corrective and preventive, not political. Its aim is to help boards maintain stability, support effective leadership, manage risk, and sustain public trust.
Virginia illustrates both the consequences of weakened governance and the opportunity to restore confidence through principled board leadership. The lessons that emerge will extend beyond one state and continue to inform AGB’s national advocacy strategy.
Looking Ahead
Advocacy through governance is not a one-time effort. It requires sustained investment in board education, intentional use of trustees as advocates, and strong partnerships grounded in shared values. AGB remains committed to supporting boards and presidents in this important work.
Thank you for your leadership.
