Shared Governance, Shared Future: Aligning Boards, Faculty, and Administration for Real Results

Everyone talks about shared governance—but what does it really mean in practice? In a time of financial pressure, shifting student needs, and increased public scrutiny, colleges and universities can’t afford for shared governance to mean gridlock.

This session will move beyond the theory to explore how governing boards, faculty, and administrators can clarify roles, align priorities, and lead together, especially when the stakes are high.

Join us for a practical, candid conversation on:

• What shared governance really means today and why shared responsibility matters more than shared power
• The essential roles of boards, faculty, and leadership in driving strategy, sustaining academic quality, and managing financial realities
• How to build trust, foster urgency, and maintain momentum even during conflict or change
• The nuanced role of faculty unions and how institutions can strike the right balance between collaboration and decision authority
• Tools for breaking down silos and ensuring productive communication when perspectives diverge

Whether you’re navigating transformation, facing a tough decision, or just trying to get your governance model working better, this session will give you actionable strategies to turn shared governance into a force for institutional success.

Speaker:

Steve Bahls, consultant, AGB