Questions for Boards

Recommended Resources

All Resources

Why this is important.

In today’s technology-driven world, higher education institutions cannot afford to be slow adopters of technology or resist technology-based challenges to the traditional classroom model of pedagogy. Institutions that successfully transitioned to online and hybrid-education environments during the COVID-19 pandemic relied on deeply interconnected technology to carry out their mission and many will continue to do so beyond the pandemic. There is no return to the status quo ante COVID-19. It is up to governing boards to ensure colleges and universities foster a culture that supports investments in technologies and leverages transformative technological opportunities.

Sources: Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards: Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Foundation and Institution Board Members by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
“After COVID-19: Driving Academic Transformation Through Public-Private Partnerships” AGB Blog Post by Michael B. Goldstein, April 29, 2021

Questions for boards.

Click below to reveal key questions for your board to consider:

Board Processes

Consequential Questions:

  1. What do we consider our most valuable assets and where do those assets reside? What additional layers of protection do we have for those assets?
  2. When was the last time our board discussed the ways we can increase our institution’s efficiency through smarter uses of technology?
  3. How has our board signaled to the campus community our commitment to support technological innovations that foster institutional change?
  4. Does our board keep current on new teaching and learning approaches in higher education and advances in information and instructional technologies that are critical to the higher education industry?

Sources:
Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards: Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Foundation and Institution Board Members by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
Top Strategic Issues for Boards 2020-2021 , AGB 2020

Board Engagement

Consequential Questions:

    1. Are our board members kept up to date on cutting-edge trends and technologies related to higher education and the institution?
    2. Is our board composed of individuals with diverse talents, skills, perspectives, and abilities— beyond just those related to providing financial support and raising money for our institution?
    3. Is the culture of our board supportive of technological innovation? Does our board have the right composition and committee structure to foster innovation?

Sources:
Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards: Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Foundation and Institution Board Members by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
Top Strategic Issues for Boards 2020-2021 , AGB 2020

Risk Management

Consequential Questions:

  1. Are we considering the cybersecurity aspects of our major business decisions, such as mergers and affiliations, partnerships, new program launches, etc., in a timely fashion?
  2. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our institution’s utilization of technology?
  3. Have our board and president discussed the need for patience, the potential for failure, and the risks involved in supporting technological innovation?

Sources:
Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards: Key Principles and Practical Guidance for Foundation and Institution Board Members by AGB in partnership with ISA and AIG, AGB 2021
Top Strategic Issues for Boards 2020-2021 , AGB 2020

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education, Part 1

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education, Part 2

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Aligning and Governing AI to Leverage Resources and Enhance Results

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All resources.

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Emails and PDFs Don’t Make Your Board Digital
October 23, 2023 - In a recent AGB webinar, Matt Maxwell, senior consultant at AGB OnBoard, and Ross Mugler, vice chair, AGB Board of Directors, and member of the Old Dominion University Board of Visitors, explored what true digital board management is and the …
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Webinar On Demand
Gaining an Edge for Education: An Introduction to AI in Advancement
October 17, 2023 - Watch this Webinar On Demand to learn about an approach that has been effective for many advancement shops, including why data collection and a thriving data ecosystem play an important role in the future of higher …
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AT&T
Forum: Navigating Innovation and Purpose
In today's rapidly evolving world, we are faced with the challenge and opportunity of incredible innovation and transformation. This requires a change in how we govern to meet current and future challenges. The impact of factors such as the pandemic, …
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Webinar On Demand
Emails and PDFs Don’t Make Your Board Digital
September 25, 2023 - Watch this Webinar on Demand with Matt Maxwell, senior consultant at AGB OnBoard, for an insightful delve into the limitations of dated board communication methods and to explore how embracing a digital board can save you …
View Webinar
Blog Post
AI: An Introduction for Advancement
September 19, 2023 - The recent, rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have created hype that can pose quandaries for advancement leaders and board members who are looking to explore the potential opportunities for their higher education institutions. This blog aims to provide some …
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Being Prepared: Tracking Skills, Diversity, and Term Limits of Board Members
August 11, 2023 - A great board of directors can have a large, positive impact on the higher education institution it serves. But it’s essential to ensure the right people are present at the boardroom table from the outset. Achieving this balance requires organizations to …
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Trusteeship Article
Student Talent Helps Brandeis Put Data to Work
Takeaways   For colleges and universities to realize the potential value of the “Data Science Internal Internship” concept, the Brandeis University experience so far shows the necessity of four key ingredients: Champions at the top: Explicit support by the Executive Vice President of …
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Trusteeship Article
News in Brief
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Landmark Admissions’ Ruling In a long-anticipated and landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to strike down race-based admissions policies at colleges and universities nationwide, ruling that they are illegal and violate the Equal Protection Clause of …
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Webinar On Demand
Being Prepared: Tracking Skills, Diversity, and Term Limits
June 27, 2023 - Watch this Webinar On Demand: Analyzing the critical board leadership skills needed to drive strategy does not have to be daunting. Board technologies can provide at-a-glance insights that enable efficient board composition and succession planning.
View Webinar
Blog Post
Aligning Your Board to Navigate Change
May 25, 2023 - Webinar Recap: Heather Fehn, chief of staff and secretary to the board of trustees at The College of New Jersey, and Matt Maxwell, senior consultant at AGB OnBoard, explored how your board can more effectively navigate change. There’s an old saying …
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