AGB Trusteeship Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Board Independence Under Fire: Part II Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Boards play a critical role in protecting the autonomy of higher education institutions and must lead proactively to navigate challenges to independence. In part two of this podcast, Board Independence Under Fire, AGB Interim President and CEO Ellen Chaffee and AGB Senior Fellows and Senior Consultants Jill Derby and David Maxwell discuss the importance of education and dialogue within boards to understand their responsibilities, including safeguarding institutional integrity and academic freedom.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Board Independence Under Fire: Part I Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

While governing boards need to be open to input and recommendations from their college, foundation, or system's stakeholders, they must also discern between what's appropriate and what could compromise their independence and their institution's mission and integrity.

That's especially important these days, as political polarization is increasingly creating challenges for board members in fulfilling their fiduciary duties of loyalty, obedience, and care. AGB released a Board of Directors' Statement on Influences Impacting Governing Board Independence and Leadership in late 2023 to guide boards in the governance of their colleges, foundations, and systems; inform them of their roles and responsibilities; and clarify their relationships with those involved in the governance process.

In part one of this two-part podcast, AGB Interim President and CEO Ellen Chaffee speaks with two people who serve as AGB senior consultants and senior fellows: Jill Derby, who previously was chair of the Nevada Board of Regents and is the current chair of the American University of Iraq in Kurdistan, and David Maxwell, president emeritus of Drake University and board member and former board chair at Grinnell College.

Ellen, Jill, and David will explore the challenges faced by governing boards in upholding their fiduciary duty amid increasing external pressures, as well as highlight the importance of maintaining board independence and protecting institutions from any undue influences.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Higher Education Risk Governance in an Increasingly Complex, Expansive, and Regulated Environment Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

An effective enterprise risk management, or ERM, program is more than just identifying risks; it should add value to an organization by focusing on managing and monitoring risks over time. How do boards distinguish between disruptive and strategic risks? How do campuses address student mental health as a crucial area of risk? What are the key questions boards need to ask to assess the effectiveness of ERM and wellness initiatives at their institutions?

In this podcast, Barbara McCuen Jones, AGB's director of digital solutions speaks about the importance of adaptability, board involvement, and transparency in ERM programs with three leading experts: Leigh Goller, the chief audit, risk, and compliance officer for Duke University and Duke University Health System; Sharon McMullen, a consulting director at Huron, a global professional services firm; and Anne Pifer, a managing director at Huron.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

What Boards Need to Know about the Federal Budget Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

A federal government shutdown loomed large in September, but a last-minute agreement pushed the conversation to November. In this podcast, AGB's Morgan Alexander talks with Alex Nock of the Penn Hill Group about the top-line budget issues affecting higher education, where Congress is in its deliberations, and what colleges and universities need to understand how the next round of budget talks will affect them.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Reflections from a Foundation Leader Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

After a 33-year career at Wichita State University, Elizabeth King is retiring as president and CEO of Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement. In this podcast, Elizabeth and David Bass, AGB executive director of philanthropic governance, discuss shifting trends in advancement, cultivating a culture of philanthropy, best practices for working with your foundation board, and advice for future foundation leaders.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

The Board Professional Certificate Program Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

AGB's Board Professional Certificate Program, launched in July 2022, was created by board professionals for board professionals. In this episode, Patti Kunkle, AGB's senior vice president and chief membership experience officer, speaks with AGB Senior Consultant and Senior Fellow Lynnette Heard and Kent State University Vice President and University Secretary Charlene Reed, program task force members. They discuss why AGB created the program, the anticipated learner outcomes, and recommended additional professional development opportunities for board professionals.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Navigating Communication and Cultural Challenges on Campus: Insights for College and University Leaders Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

As the upcoming election season approaches, board members and top campus administrators must increasingly anticipate and navigate cultural challenges with tact and insight. In this episode, Erin Bossen and Simon Barker of Blue Moon Consulting Group speak with AGB's Morgan Alexander about proactive strategies that decision makers can pursue to foster inclusivity, navigate controversies, and maintain harmony within their institutions. Drawing upon their extensive experience in crisis and issues management, Erin and Simon shed light on the current cultural and political environment and the issues that the upcoming election season will inevitably exacerbate, addressing specific concerns that will likely shape the campus climate and impact student experiences at colleges and universities around the country.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the distinction between the board's and the administration's roles in managing cultural issues
Clarifying institutional values and using them as a guide through complex issues
Establishing parameters and processes for communicating (or not) with key constituencies Asking key questions of your leadership team to ensure your institution is prepared

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Intercollegiate Athletics: What Boards Need to Know Apr 14, 2023

Show notes

Intercollegiate athletics is changing at a rapid pace with implications for regulatory, programmatic, and governance oversight. In this podcast, Kent State University President Emerita and AGB Senior Consultant Carol Cartwright speaks with Huron's Tim Walsh and with Jim Delany, a former commissioner of the Big 10 Conference about conference realignment, name-image-likeness, regulatory environments, and what boards need to know.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Diversification: A Strategic Response to Enrollment Shifts Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Higher education is on the edge of change with more institutional closures and consolidations, and colleges and universities must continue to think strategically. Diversification of revenue streams is one such way to plan for the future. In this podcast, AGB's Associate Vice President of Content Strategy Doug Goldenberg-Hart speaks with RNL Senior Vice President Todd Abbott and Brad Goan, PhD, the senior advisor for strategic innovation at the University of Montana and an associate consultant with RNL about the Strategic Enrollment Growth Matrix, with a special focus on diversification and how the board of trustees can support the institution in an enrollment planning process.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Navigating the ESG Landscape in 2023 and Beyond Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

University endowments are starting to take sustainable investing seriously, not only because students are urging them to but also because ESG—environmental, social, and governance—investing is proving to be good investment practice. For endowments looking to get started, or to expand their sustainable practices, this podcast addresses new opportunities as well as potential challenges, particularly in the context of the current economic and political environment.

In this podcast, AGB's Executive Director of Philanthropic Governance David Bass speaks with Northern Trust Vice President, Director of ESG Sharee Hassan.

With more than 30 years of sustainable investment expertise, Northern Trust shares implications for the ESG landscape in 2023 and beyond.

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.