Blog Posts

December 13, 2018 - Every investment committee should have a succession plan with three primary goals: preserving institutional memory, finding the best committee leadership, and welcoming new ideas. Preserving Institutional Memory: The ideal average tenure of committee members is 6-7 years, but exceptionally qualified members should …

November 30, 2018 - The work of public university foundations is being reimagined in exciting ways. At a time when state and federal subsidies to universities are waning and student price-sensitivity is rising, some promising, even inspirational foundations are expanding their realm beyond fund …

November 12, 2018 - Last month, we explored the value that colleges and universities contribute to the economy by fostering innovation, developing an able and competent workforce, and providing a space for entrepreneurship. This month, it feels appropriate to highlight the value of higher education to our …

November 08, 2018 - In recent years governing boards and campus leadership have become more strategic about enterprise risk management. Despite these efforts, conflicts related to campus climate, free speech, intercollegiate athletics, and sexual assault can go viral in a nanosecond. Board members, the …

October 23, 2018 - As we shared in Endowment Management for Higher Education, optimizing the selection of investment committee members is a crucial task that greatly contributes to endowment management success. To help committees make appropriate decisions beyond “time, talent, and treasure” considerations, we developed …

September 06, 2018 - A growing number of college and university presidents are coming from outside academia. In a recent Trusteeship article, author Terrence MacTaggart explored how leaders can embrace institutional culture and lead change. Below is an excerpt. Read the full article here. Successful enterprise leadership demands …

April 12, 2018 - Every college and university president needs to be assessed by themselves, by their board, and by an objective outsider. Assessing a president’s performance in order to build stronger performance is a process with three stages: ongoing feedback, annual reviews, and …

August 29, 2017 - This blog post is part of the New President Toolkit, a resource to help you hit the ground running and chart a course for your institution that ensures well-being and sustainability. Its is also part of the Board Chair Toolkit, …

January 26, 2017 - Earlier this month, eight new governors were sworn in as the chief executives of their states. In addition to implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of their state’s executive branch, all these leaders also play pivotal roles in higher …

October 18, 2016 - This blog post is part of the Board Chair Toolkit, which includes a host of resources that enable board chairs to understand essential responsibilities for board leadership and establish an inclusive board culture. You’re the new chair of your board: congratulations!  Below …