The Presidency

Trying to navigate leadership transitions of board members, presidents and key members of the senior team while maintaining institutional momentum, respecting areas of responsibility and shared governance, and making effective decisions can be a challenge.

January 28, 2021 - “I never imagined this degree of disruption when I sought and accepted this presidency,” observed one veteran chief executive. He went on to say “my plan was to restore the luster of this great university. I knew how to do …

I never imagined this degree of disruption when I sought and accepted this presidency,” observed one veteran chief executive. He went on to say: “My plan was to restore the luster of this great university. I knew how to do …

Well-crafted presidential compensation and benefit contracts provide a clear and solid basis for healthy working relationships and effective performance. A presidential contract should be a comprehensive agreement that establishes all requirements and expectations between an institution, its governing board, and its …

While hitchhiking in East Africa many years ago, I came across the Swahili word harambee, which, in English, translates as “all pull together.” It is a word that stuck with me and is of particular relevance to colleges today. Colleges have …

Among the most important roles of trustees and regents of colleges and universities is hiring the institution’s president.1 While this remains true, public institutions of higher education are under increased pressure to balance their many functions while cutting costs and …

October 15, 2020 - AGB’s Council of Presidents recently gathered to discuss two essential topics: 1) institutionwide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives—and how boards can make a difference; and 2) lessons learned from the fall semester and implications for spring and beyond in …

October 12, 2020 - When institutions conduct searches for presidents or other senior leaders, building the right compensation package should be a primary concern. Compensation must be fair, defensible, and competitive to attract excellent candidates and stand up to scrutiny. Boards and hiring officers …

How do we best prepare our students to thrive within the rapidly evolving economy? Trustees, and everyone else involved in higher education, undoubtedly hear that question on a regular basis. In a world of artificial intelligence, robotics, and outsourcing, how …

August 14, 2020 - As we approach the beginning of the academic year, there are many questions institution leaders are grappling with, including, “What is the best approach to handling a senior leader’s departure?” Of course, there are several possibilities, such as promoting an …