For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Chris Jacobs
Joe Brenckle
media@AGB.org
202-776-0846
WASHINGTON, DC (January 30, 2025)—The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) proudly announces the selection of five higher education governing boards as recipients of the 2025 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership. Established in 1992, the Nason Award is presented to higher education governing boards that demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative.
This year’s awardees were chosen from a diverse pool of nominations representing four-year public and private colleges and universities, two-year institutions, and institutionally related foundations. The 2025 Nason Award recipients are:
• Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees: Demonstrating exceptional leadership in higher education, the Metropolitan State University of Denver Board of Trustees fostered free expression and academic freedom through foundational policies. Years before navigating one of the longest campus protests in the nation, the board implemented the Freedom of Expression Policy (2019) and the Statement on Free Expression and Inquiry (2022), creating a culture of open dialogue and intellectual diversity. The board’s strategic governance allowed the university to handle complex protests with transparency and inclusivity, utilizing tools such as a dedicated microsite and regular community updates to maintain trust. By balancing free expression with inclusive governance, the board has become a model for addressing the evolving challenges of higher education.
• Northern Arizona University Foundation Board of Directors: Strengthening the university’s mission of excellence and social impact, the Northern Arizona University Foundation Board of Directors redefined governance structures and launched transformative initiatives. Among its achievements are the $10 million Equitable Value Venture Fund, $20 million secured for workforce development, and $3.8 million directed to community college students. The board’s dedication to equity is further highlighted by a $5 million matching investment in the Mellon Foundation’s Seven Generations Signature Initiative. Through innovative programs such as Lumberjack Link and performance-based staff incentives, the board’s efforts have elevated donor engagement, operational excellence, and student-centered education, setting a benchmark for institutional transformation and community impact.
• Notre Dame of Maryland University Board of Trustees: From 2019 to 2024, the Notre Dame of Maryland University Board of Trustees led transformative growth, tackling enrollment and financial challenges with bold strategies. Guided by the Going Beyond: Vision 2025 strategic plan approved by the Board, NDMU launched new academic programs that included a doctorate in occupational therapy (the first to be offered by a private university in the state) and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies (the first to be offered by a private university in the state), and acquired the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Additionally, under the direction of the Board, the University admitted male students for the first time to its traditional undergraduate degree program. Record-breaking fundraising surpassed $50 million, increasing the endowment by 46 percent. Fiscal innovations, including debt refinancing and a senior living partnership have positioned the institution to generate sustainable non-tuition revenue. Collectively, these efforts stabilized finances, reduced debt, and fueled student enrollment growth with record-breaking undergraduate classes, solidifying the university’s leadership in higher education and its mission to educate leaders to transform the world.
• Tennessee Technological University Foundation Board of Directors: Committed to student success, the Tennessee Technological University Foundation Board of Directors has become an indispensable partner to its institution through a decade of strategic governance. Prioritizing donor engagement, the board revamped bylaws, professionalized operations, and increased diversity, including student representation. The board’s leadership drove record-breaking fundraising, including the $125 million “It’s Personal” campaign, and boosted privately funded scholarships by 83 percent. Community partnerships, such as the donation of Oakley Farm and investments in athletics and facilities, have enhanced the student experience and supported regional growth. Anchored by a “Students First” ethos, the board continues to elevate Tennessee Tech as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university.
• University of Tulsa Board of Trustees: Amid profound challenges, the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees redefined itself as a model of strategic leadership in higher education. Facing accreditation warnings, financial instability, and campus unrest, the board conducted a self-assessment to create a smaller, more active body with diverse skills and a commitment to shared governance. Bold decisions, such as appointing interim and permanent presidents aligned with the university’s strategic goals, and fostering faculty collaboration, drove reforms, including revitalizing academic programs, launching an Honors College, and achieving record-breaking National Merit Scholar enrollment. A unified strategic plan led to a clean accreditation report, stronger finances, and a boosted national reputation, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future.
“Effective governance is at the heart of transformational leadership in higher education,” said Fram Virjee, AGB president and CEO. “This year’s Nason Award honorees exemplify the power of visionary boards to navigate complex challenges, foster innovation, and strengthen institutional impact. These governing boards have set a high standard for leadership, demonstrating a deep commitment to their students, communities, and missions. I am inspired by their achievements and confident their efforts will serve as a beacon for others across higher education.”
Recipients of the 2025 awards will be honored at AGB’s Foundation Leadership Forum (January 29–31) and National Conference on Trusteeship (March 31–April 2).
The Nason Award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, who served as the chair of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council and helped more than 4,000 interned students continue their college studies across the nation during World War II. Learn more about AGB’s Nason Award at AGB.org/Award
About AGB
At the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), we believe in the power of higher education to transform lives, strengthen inclusive democracy, and support a thriving society. We believe that strong higher education starts with great governing boards. AGB provides advocacy, leading practices, educational resources, expert support, and renowned programs that advance board excellence for 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations. For more than 100 years, AGB has been the trusted authority for board members, chief executives, board professionals, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership. Learn more at AGB.org.
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