Framroze M. Virjee Named President and CEO of Association of Governing Boards

Virjee has an extensive history in higher education leadership. In addition to leading the development and completion of CSUF’s second five-year strategic plan in its 67-year history, Virjee was well-known for his deep and constant engagement with students, faculty, staff, and the broader CSUF community. He championed a shift in university culture from a transactional practice (tuition and services in exchange for a degree) to a transformational experience centered around student success in academics, job readiness, community building and service, and all other areas of life preparation.

Virjee also benefits from a history of service to governing boards. Prior to becoming president of CSUF, Virjee served as executive vice chancellor, general counsel, and secretary to the board of trustees at the California State University System, the largest public university system in the United States. He reported directly to the CSU Board of Trustees and provided legal counsel and advice on critical topics such as open meeting laws, rules and procedures, compliance requirements, collective bargaining, and more. He also oversaw comprehensive Title IX training and orientation for all presidents and championed a comprehensive review and revamping of the Title IX function at CSU. Before his tenure at CSU, Virjee was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers, one of the largest and oldest law firms in the United States.

“Higher education leaders have a lot on their plates right now,” said Virjee. “There is very little room for error, and the consequences are enormous. Boards can be pillars of strength for their institutions when they are 100 percent engaged and 100 percent committed to their role as fiduciaries and partners. I recognize just how critical AGB is to the future of our students, our communities, and society in the U.S. and around the world. I’m honored to play a role in shaping that future through AGB’s work.”

Virjee is a first-generation college student. He received his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (since renamed the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco), and a bachelor of arts degree (summa cum laude) in political science and sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has served on multiple boards, including (but not limited to) the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation, National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), and the Big West athletic conference. In addition, Virjee and his wife, Julie, are co-founders of Yambi Rwanda, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the lives of Rwandans through the sustained provision of basic human needs and equitable access to quality education through the celebration of Rwanda’s culture and arts.

New Publication: The Investment Committee 2nd edition

AGB Publications will release a revised print edition of The Investment Committee in July. Investment committees have important governance responsibilities in assuring the successful management of college and university endowments and other institutional pools of capital. The success or failure of the investment committee has a large, direct impact on the resources available to the institution to attract and retain quality faculty, offer scholarships, expand or improve programs, and build modern facilities. This booklet addresses the investment committee’s roles and responsibilities in the context of endowment management and examines recent challenges for investment time horizons and practices.

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