AGB President & CEO Update: When Pressure Mounts, Boards Must Stand Firm

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As we close out the calendar year, I want to express my gratitude for your continued commitment to advancing the mission of higher education during a time of significant challenge. This eventful year has underscored an important truth: 2026 will demand more coordinated and strategic state-level advocacy than ever before. It is also important to reaffirm that institutional autonomy and academic freedom are essential to higher education’s ability to serve the nation effectively, and both are facing growing pressures. To meet the demand, our sector must lean in on its most influential yet often underutilized asset—governing board members.

Board Members Are Among the Most Influential Advocates

Trustees bring stature, credibility, and deep community relationships to the table. They are civic and business leaders, employers, donors, and respected voices who understand the value their institutions bring to their states. Their networks often reach chambers of commerce, industry associations, and elected officials across the political spectrum. These relationships matter. And this moment calls for leveraging them.

As stewards of mission and strategy, advocacy is part of the fiduciary duty of trustees, advocating not only for their institution but for the strength and sustainability of the higher education ecosystem that supports their state’s economic vitality, workforce development, research competitiveness, and social mobility.

Tools and Resources to Boost Your Advocacy Efforts

• AGB’s Engaging Governing Board Members as Strategic Advocates offers practical guidance on involving board members in an institution’s advocacy strategy.
• The Why College Matters Toolkit helps board members communicate the value of higher education to policymakers and the public.
• ACE’s Economic Indicator Tool offers data on the broad economic contributions of higher education in every state.
• NACUBO’s resources provide state-level financial, demographic, and policy data that strengthen the economic case for higher education.
• AGB’s 2026 National Conference on Trusteeship (NCT) and Board Professionals Conference (BPC) will host sessions on advocacy and the role of board members.
• AGB’s Govern NOW Initiative provides strategies and actionable tools to empower fiduciary boards to uphold institutional autonomy and safeguard academic freedom and free speech.

Strengthen Advocacy Efforts by Engaging with Key Organizations

• Engaging with national advocacy groups and coalitions significantly expands the reach and impact of higher education advocacy. These organizations bring established networks, policy expertise, and coordinated strategies that help amplify shared priorities and elevate them in state and national conversations. By engaging with these groups, advocates gain access to valuable insights, reinforce the clarity and consistency of their messaging, and help build a more unified, effective voice for higher education.
• The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF)—This national network brings together business leaders, presidents, chancellors, and provosts to align education and workforce strategies. Organizations like BHEF often foster strong state-level partnerships between business and higher education—frequently through state chambers of commerce—creating valuable opportunities for trustees to collaborate with business leaders on shared policy priorities.
• Advocacy Groups for Higher Education—AGB has compiled a list of coalitions and advocacy organizations dedicated to championing the future of higher education. These groups offer meaningful avenues for individuals to lend their voices, engage in collective action, and support initiatives that strengthen institutions and promote student success.

A Call to Action for 2026

This work is not optional; it’s mission critical. In the coming year, I encourage every president to work with their board chairs and government relations teams to identify trustees who can serve as strategic partners in advocating for the profoundly positive impact of higher education. Many board members are eager to contribute; they simply need clarity, coordinated messaging, and a structured way to align their voices with institutional priorities.

Thank you for your continued leadership and partnership. I look forward to working alongside you as we elevate the role of board advocacy in strengthening higher education for the students and communities we serve.