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2026 National Conference on Trusteeship: Schedule
March 28–30, 2026
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Denver, CO
Schedule
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*All times local
Saturday, March 28
1:15 – 2:00 PM | Welcome Session for First Time Attendees
1:15 – 3:45 PM | Workshop for Board Chairs and Chairs Elect
1:15 – 3:45 PM | Workshop for New Board Members
1:15 – 3:45 PM | Endowment Governance Workshop
3:45 – 4:15 PM | Break
4:15 – 5:30 PM | Opening Plenary
5:30 – 7:30 PM | Opening Reception
Sunday, March 29
7:30 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast Networking Tables
8:45 – 9:45 AM | Morning Plenary
Govern NOW: The Mission-Critical Importance of Board Independence
Independent, mission-driven governance has protected the academic freedom and plurality of perspectives that have made U.S. higher education an engine of innovation, inclusiveness, and economic growth for more than a century. Today, these fundamental principles of trusteeship are being challenged. Whether responding to coordinated ideological campaigns or individual trustees focused on advancing special interests at the expense of broader mission commitments, boards have a fiduciary obligation to protect autonomy, truth-seeking, and students’ right to learn. This session will explore what it means to Govern NOW and will provide guidance for boards on managing challenges to board independence and academic freedom.
9:45 – 10:00 AM | Break
10:00 – 10:50 AM | Concurrent Sessions
10:50 – 11:10 AM | Break
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions
12:00 – 1:15 PM | Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 PM | Luncheon Plenary
Fostering Innovation Across the Institution
Innovation has driven American prosperity, and higher education has driven innovation. In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace, innovation has become an imperative for higher education. This session will showcase examples of transformative innovation and will explore the ways boards, presidents, and other campus leaders create a culture that fosters and incentivizes innovation in the boardroom and across the institution.
2:15 – 2:35 PM | Break
2:35 – 3:25 PM | Concurrent Sessions
3:25 – 3:45 PM | Break
3:45 – 4:45 PM | Afternoon Plenary
Building Bridges in the Boardroom and Beyond
U.S. society is increasingly polarized along a variety of axes, and college boardrooms, campuses, communities, and constituents reflect these divisions. In this challenging environment, sustaining a commitment to principles of trusteeship is imperative. This session will bring together a panel of seasoned board leaders for a conversation about how they manage discussion of potentially divisive issues, cultivate consensus, create an environment that can accommodate diverse perspectives, and build bridges within the boardroom, with the campus, and with external constituents.
4:45 – 5:00 PM | Nason Award Presentation
5:00 – 6:30 PM | Reception
Monday, March 30
7:15 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast
8:45 – 9:50 AM | Closing Plenary
United We Stand: Courageous Leadership, Collective Action, and the Future of Higher Education
The long-standing compact between the federal government and higher education is at an inflection point. Federal investments in research, support for student financial aid, support of Minority-Serving Institutions, and numerous functions historically performed by the Department of Education are all in play. The government that for decades has leveraged college and universities as an engine of economic development now has an adversarial relationship with many institutions. More than ever, board and institutional leaders need to speak with one voice about the vital role colleges and universities play in advancing American democracy, economic prosperity, and transformative opportunities for students. The final plenary brings together leaders building coalitions to sustain and advance the principles that have made American higher education an engine of innovation, prosperity, and opportunity.
9:50 – 10:10 AM | Break
10:10 – 11:00 AM | Concurrent Sessions
11:00 – 11:20 AM | Break
11:20 AM – 12:10 PM | Concurrent Sessions
12:30 – 3:00 PM | Post-Conference Workshops (Registration Required)
Register as a group and save.
Register now to reserve your spot in Denver, Colorado.
Early Bird Rate
Individual Member*
$1,995
Early Bird Rate
Group**
$1,795
Regular Rate
Individual Member*
$2,250
Regular Rate
Group**
$2,150
Nonmember Rate
$3,495
*Member exclusive pricing.
**Three or more, members only. All members in the group must be registered at the same time.Â
Please note: The only legitimate way to reserve your room at the conference hotel is by using the hyperlink provided in the confirmation email you receive upon registration.
Key Dates
- Early bird deadline: December 5, 2025
- Deadline for cancellation: February 27, 2026
- Deadline to receive discounted hotel rate: March 4, 2026 (provided space is available)
Registration and Cancellation Policy
This program is available only to registrants who are serving a higher education institution or foundation. Please contact registrar@AGB.org with any questions.
All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to cancellations@AGB.org and will be processed after the meeting. Requests for refunds must be received by close of business on February 27, 2026, to receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for registrants who cancel after February 27, 2026. If you are unable to attend, a substitute is welcome in your place at no additional charge. AGB is not responsible for cancellations due to airline disruption, inclement weather, COVID-19, or schedule changes.
Group Discounts: If a cancellation causes the group to fall below the required three registrations, the refund will be issued minus the discount benefit received by the original group.
Hotel Information
AGB has secured a room block for National Conference on Trusteeship attendees at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center at the group rate of $269 per night, exclusive of 12.75% taxes and $28 resort fee. Once you have registered for the conference, you will receive a hotel reservation link in your meeting registration confirmation. To receive the group rate, reservations must be made online through the reservation link received. Reservations should be made in the name of the person registered for the 2026 National Conference on Trusteeship. Multiple reservations under the same name will not be accepted.
The deadline for reserving a room at the group rate is March 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET (provided space is available).
With thanks to our 2026 sponsors.
View our 2026 sponsors and see how you can support the National Conference on Trusteeship.
Contact us.
Registration
AGB is committed to excellence in member service. Should you have questions about registering for the National Conference on Trusteeship, contact the AGB registrar.
Become a Member and Save
If you currently are not an AGB member but want to take advantage of member pricing, please contact the AGB Membership team.
Sponsorship
To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Steve Abbott, director of partnerships.