Blog Posts

December 01, 2020 - This blog summarizes key takeaways from Baker Tilly’s Higher Ed Advisor podcast on strategy and fiscal resiliency. Listen here. While COVID-19 has altered the higher education landscape significantly, fiscal pressures are nothing new to colleges and universities. For several years, institutional …

November 23, 2020 - Universities and colleges contribute dramatically to the economic vitality of their state and region. The unprecedented challenges institutions of higher education are now facing could have a significant ripple effect on their broader communities. Some of these challenges include the …

November 10, 2020 - The largest endowments—the ones that are effectively implementing the endowment model—have had almost 3 percent greater annualized returns over the past 20 years when compared to their large and midsized counterparts.(1) As large and midsized university endowments attempt to replicate the …

November 09, 2020 - Unprecedented levels of board engagement present challenges to and successes in shared governance, reported members of AGB’s Council of Board Professionals at their October 2020 meeting. Amid a pandemic, the switch to virtual engagement has resulted in full attendance at …

November 06, 2020 - Some things are certain: death, taxes, and the key to wise investing—buy low and sell high. Although we all agree that buying low and selling high produces a great return on your investment, it’s important to unpack the environment that’s …

November 06, 2020 - Several years ago, when consulting with trustees, presidents, and faculty members, I became concerned that shared governance as I thought it should be practiced was being shattered on many campuses. I observed diminished collaboration in those areas in which the …

November 04, 2020 - What are the average governing board sizes at private independent institutions, public institutions and systems, and institutionally related foundations? How are women and people of color represented on higher education governing boards? What is the average length of a single …

This month’s update is arriving a few days earlier than usual due to recent events affecting higher education. Despite challenges from many sides, I urge you and your board to continue strengthening your commitments to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion …

With the fall semester well underway, I’m aware of the unprecedented challenges confronting your board, leadership team, faculty, and staff as you collaboratively address immediate short-term challenges. While I understand how significant these challenges are, I encourage you also to …

October 28, 2020 - The upcoming presidential election on November 3 is a very significant election for a number of important reasons, including for higher education policy. As corporate and community leaders, board members are uniquely positioned to communicate the value proposition of the …