Tools and Toolkits

Introduction: Why the Foundation Director Selection Process Matters Higher education serves essential public purposes, including workforce and economic development, research and innovation, and civic education. Across its century of work, AGB has maintained that these purposes are best promoted by …

Introduction: Why the Trustee Selection Process Matters Higher education serves essential public purposes, including workforce and economic development, research and innovation, and civic education. These purposes are best promoted by independent governing boards whose citizen members are committed to their …

Comparing Corporate, Nonprofit, and Higher Education Governing Boards Board service is a privilege and an important responsibility. Governing boards are composed of accomplished people who share a responsibility to fulfill fiduciary obligations on behalf of shareholders, stakeholders, or the best …

What Is It? Artificial intelligence (AI) is a digital technology that is transforming higher education. For governing boards, the key is not technical mastery but strategic understanding of this revolution: AI is reshaping the job market; redefining teaching and learning, fundraising, …

If complying with a new law or regulation would be harmful to your institution, use this tool to consider your options.

When your president and board are faced with a new demand or requirement, the first step is to determine whether, and to what extent, complying with it would be inconsistent with the best interests of the institution. The second step …

Near the end of the January–March 2026 period, AGB Govern NOW Leadership Academy participants (trustees, board professionals, presidents from diverse institutions) were asked to recommend board strategies for dealing with these volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous times. The following strategies …

Explore a practical framework to engage your higher education governing board in advocacy, including 10 specific steps you can take.

Red lines define the core of an institution’s integrity. When pushed to the limit, ask a fundamental question: What is integrity worth?

Each scenario describes a realistic governance situation at a different kind of institution. Read the scenario, then work through the discussion questions, applying principles from good governance and local strategies for dealing with intrusions. There are no single correct answers—these …