Blog Posts

April 09, 2026 - You are viewing the Institutions and Systems version of this CEO Update. An Institutionally Related Foundations version is also available. As we return from the 2026 National Conference on Trusteeship (NCT), which just wrapped up in Denver, one message resonates clearly: …

April 06, 2026 - In late March, AGB hosted the annual National Conference on Trusteeship, which brought together board chairs, trustees, presidents/chief executives, board professionals, and other experts from across the higher education sector. As a member of the AGB Consulting team, I’m in the …

March 24, 2026 - Organized, collaborative, and well-run meetings are necessary for governing boards to maintain the appropriate strategic focus and fulfill their missions to support student success, foster innovation and research, and steward resources effectively. A successful meeting addresses the right topics and …

March 13, 2026 - Colleges and universities are navigating one of the most complex operating environments in recent history. Demographic shifts, financial pressures, and heightened scrutiny around institutional value are forcing boards and leadership teams to reexamine how they define sustainability and accountability. At the …

March 09, 2026 - Whether from public or private institutions, foundations, or systems, all governing board members share an interest in and commitment to their institutions, to their mission, and to the students they serve. They are eager to use their expertise, knowledge, and …

March 04, 2026 - You are viewing the Institution and Systems version of this CEO Update. An Institutionally Related Foundation version is also available. As campuses move through the final stretch of the academic year, March offers a natural moment for reflection and renewal. Spring …

March 03, 2026 - Is your board portal helping you govern, or just helping you get by? For board professionals, governance leaders, and trustees in higher education, understanding the true impact of your board portal is crucial. This article will highlight the patterns to …

February 20, 2026 - Higher education governing boards are stewards of both legacy and possibility. Board members are fiduciaries who must protect the legacies of their institutions by safeguarding institutional assets, ensuring financial sustainability, and upholding mission integrity. Yet the urgency of now presses in: …

February 10, 2026 - You are viewing the Institution and Systems version of this CEO Update. An Institutionally Related Foundation version is also available. This is my first CEO Update since the AGB Board of Directors announced that I will serve as the association’s permanent …

February 10, 2026 - Crises don’t send RSVPs, but you can decide, well in advance, whether your institution will wobble or hold steady when one arrives. When a crisis developed at our institutions, the first call came the way these calls always do, short, urgent, …