Tools and Toolkits

What Is It? Shared governance is a fundamental tradition in U.S. higher education in which the governing board and other campus stakeholders share decision-making responsibility for certain aspects of the institution’s work. The governing board retains ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the …

What Is It? Student access allows qualified students to pursue their educational goals without unnecessary academic, administrative, financial, geographic, or technological barriers. It is central to higher education’s mission because colleges and universities exist to extend educational opportunities and benefit society. …

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.