Blog Posts

October 19, 2020 - Why Student Trustee Leadership Matters Colleges and universities are mission-driven to prepare students to step forward into the workforce and become leaders in their fields.  The enthusiasm engendered while matriculating can be harnessed and put to good use when they are …

October 19, 2020 - AGB’s Council of Foundation Leaders convened in late September to discuss current and emerging issues spanning the effects of the pandemic; financial sustainability; strategic alignment; cyber risk oversight; campus activism; and justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JDE&I). With timely topics …

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 …

October 07, 2020 - I recently met with AGB’s Council of Board Chairs to discuss current and emerging issues spanning the pandemic; financial sustainability; cyber risk oversight; strategy development oversight; activism; mergers and acquisitions (M&A); shared governance; workforce preparation; and justice, diversity, equity, and …

October 06, 2020 - During one of the most tumultuous periods of disruption, universities and colleges have been forced to confront multiple crises ranging from safeguarding the physical health of students and staff, to determining how to counterbalance ancillary budget losses, to measuring the …

October 05, 2020 - With the fall semester underway for many institutions, I’m aware of the unprecedented challenges confronting your board, leadership team, faculty, and staff as you collaboratively address immediate short-term challenges. At the same time, although I know how significant these challenges are, …

September 28, 2020 - There is no doubt that strategic thinking is more important than ever, at an institutional level and for foundations and their boards. Such factors as the changing landscape of higher education; challenges for the foundation to “lean forward” in support …

September 15, 2020 - Even before the pandemic, many boards had difficulty balancing their strategic governance responsibilities in relation to the management of their institutions. Some were not sufficiently involved in governance and left most things, including major strategic choices, to their presidents and …

September 09, 2020 - “I can lead with confidence when I know the board chair has my back,” observed one experienced chief executive. “But I’ll hesitate if I think my board members or the chair might second-guess the tough calls demanded by the current …