AGB President & CEO Update: What’s in Store for AGB Members in 2020

By Henry Stoever January 14, 2020 October 26th, 2021 CEO Update
Blog Post

Happy New Year! I hope that, like me, you had time to rest and refresh over the holidays. It is a new year, and a new AGB, and we are poised to empower you to lead strategically in 2020 as you fulfill your unique commitments to society, advance student success and well-being, and enhance institutional vitality.

As I consider what’s in store for AGB members in 2020, one overarching theme comes to mind: preparing for the future, or “future proofing,” which is the theme of our National Conference on Trusteeship in April. This theme encapsulates the new mission we put forth as an organization—empowering you to govern with confidence in the boardroom. As we work together to navigate a challenging, and at times turbulent, higher education environment, AGB will provide you with guidance and thought leadership through expert resources and services.

As I mentioned in previous communications, AGB has been working to sharpen our focus to provide greater value through more complimentary, member-exclusive resources, tools and services. In addition to a fresh new look to AGB’s brand and a new website, here are just a few highlights of benefits you’ll want to take advantage of in 2020:

Innovative New Member Experiences

AGB members now have exclusive access to our new online Knowledge Center, a member-exclusive portal with insights organized by topic, board fundamentals, institution type, board role, and resource format. Our new Governance Briefings provide the latest insights on higher education’s most consequential issues to equip you to tackle them with confidence. AGB’s portal also includes our new Online Orientation, an invaluable complimentary onboarding resource for new board members—with separate tracks for private institutions, public institutions, and institutionally related foundations—to understand the fundamentals of higher education governance including fiduciary duties, essential board responsibilities, and board composition and culture. And our consulting team now offers your board a new complimentary Governance Needs Review of current board processes, practices, and structure.  This new member experience features enhanced website navigation that provides easy-to-find and easy-to-consume resources.

To maintain exclusivity of these resources, the majority of this content will now be password protected and members will need to use their login credentials to access them. If you have forgotten your password, it is easy to reset. If you need assistance, please reach out to concierge@agb.org.

Now, Next: The 24th Annual Foundation Leadership Forum

Our 24th annual Foundation Leadership Forum, Now, Next: Leading for Today and Tomorrow, which is later this month in San Diego, California, promises to inform, inspire, and energize the more than 600 attendees. Foundation leaders will examine the seismic shifts higher education is “now” facing and discuss how we can adapt and innovate to prepare for what’s “next.” This year’s Forum features new, creative programming aimed at equipping Foundation leaders to respond to their institution’s needs and strengthen the institution-foundation partnership. Click here to learn more.

Future Proof: National Conference on Trusteeship

At Future Proof: 2020 National Conference on Trusteeship in April at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC, we’ll convene experts and practitioners for compelling discussions around the quality, sustainability, and relevance of colleges and universities today. The objective of these sessions: to enable governing boards to “future proof” their institutions, a mission that’s never been more important. Featured speakers include:

  • Janice M. Abraham, the author of Risk Management: An Accountability Guide for University and College Boards, Second Edition;
  • Frederick M. Hess, Education Week’s “Rick Hess Straight Up;”
  • Michael B. Horn, a cofounder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation and an award-winning author of five books on the future of learning;
  • Sara Goldrick-Rab a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University and the founding director of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University;
  • Catherine Ross, a trustee at Kent State University and regents’ professor, Harry West Chair, School of City and Regional Planing, and director of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development, Georgia Institute of Technology;
  • Frank Sesno, a trustee at Middlebury College and a former White House correspondent, anchor, and Washington Bureau Chief at CNN;
  • Joining me for a plenary discussion about accountability will be Robert King, the assistant secretary for postsecondary education, U.S. Department of Education; Brent Henry, board vice chair, Princeton University; and Gerry Czarnecki, former board chair and current trustee, National University;
  • And many more. Click here to learn more.

As we enter the new year, I have great enthusiasm for what’s ahead for AGB members. Thank you for entrusting me with this critical role. As always, I look forward to your continued feedback at hstoever@AGB.org.