AGB Trusteeship Podcast

Who wants to be a college president, and what does it take to succeed in the role?  In this podcast, Melissa Trotta, associate managing principal and senior vice president of AGB Search, speaks with Thomas Gibson, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and Roderick McDavis, former president of Ohio University and managing principal and CEO of AGB Search, about leadership, governance,...

In this episode, AGB's Joe Brenckle speaks with Penn Hill Group's Alex Nock about proposed changes to federal grant regulations, the latest developments in congressional appropriations, and what the next six months might look like for higher education.

In a time of market volatility, inflation concerns, and growing financial pressure across higher education, how can colleges and universities ensure their endowments remain both resilient and mission-aligned? In this episode, AGB's David Bass speaks with Kyle Adams of Cerity Partners about the evolving role of the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) model and what boards and investment comm...

At a time when trust in institutions is strained and civic participation often feels out of reach, a growing effort is underway to reimagine how Americans engage in public life. The Citizen Service is advancing a national civic education model rooted in pragmatic, no-blame, community-based problem solving—designed to equip people not just to understand democracy, but to actively participate in str...

A projected $17 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program is putting federal student aid—and institutional planning—under increasing pressure. AGB's Joe Brenckle and Penn Hill Group's Alex Nock discuss what's driving the gap, how Congress may respond, and why timing matters in an election year. They also cover new accreditation rulemaking and what to watch for in the president's upcoming budget,...

Immigration impacts nearly every dimension of higher education—from who enrolls and teaches, to how institutions fulfill their mission. In this episode, AGB's Jackie Gardina speaks with Miriam Feldblum, co-founder and president of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, about the practical steps governing boards can take to support students, faculty, and institutional sustain...

What's next for federal higher education policy? Alex Nock of Penn Hill Group joins AGB's Joe Brenckle to unpack the latest developments in this episode. From federal enforcement initiatives and accreditation shake-ups to judicial rulings on tuition access and political interventions, board leaders are facing complex challenges that demand attention now. With key regulatory decisions slated for 20...

What do higher education boards need to know about free speech today? In this episode, AGB's Jackie Gardina talks with Jonathan Friedman of PEN America to explore what every governing board should understand about free speech, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy. Together, they explore the First Amendment's role in public vs private institutions, the misconceptions around hate speech, and...

What should campus leaders know about the shifting federal enforcement of Title VI? In this episode, AGB's Jackie Gardina speaks with former Department of Education Office of Civil Rights attorney Beth Gellman-Beer about the surge in investigations and the growing focus on shared-ancestry discrimination. Together, they break down what institutions should expect if they come under scrutiny and how...

Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB. In an era of polarization and heightened scrutiny, how can higher education boards ensure that disagreement leads to progress—not gridlock? In this podcast, AGB Consultant and Senior Fellow  Terry MacTaggart talks with Mylien Duong , Vice President of Research and...

What's next for federal higher education policy? Alex Nock of Penn Hill Group joins AGB's Joe Brenckle to unpack the latest developments in this episode. They explore the upcoming negotiated rulemaking process for student loans and Workforce Pell, a sweeping executive order on race and admissions data reporting, and the potential implications of a looming government shutdown. Alex and Joe offer in...

What do board members need to understand about the rise of antisemitism on college and university campuses—and why does it matter for institutional leadership? In this episode, AGB Senior Fellow Mary Papazian speaks with Rachel Fish , a nationally recognized scholar and advisor to the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism. They discuss how higher education leaders and trustees...

Accreditation affects everything from financial aid to institutional viability—but many board members don't realize how directly they're accountable. In this episode, AGB's Natalie Boehm talks with AGB Consultant John Cavanaugh about what every board should know: why accreditation matters, how it connects to fiduciary duties, and what questions boards should be asking. Opinions expressed in AGB po...

What does it really mean to serve on a higher education board? In this podcast, governance expert Tom Hyatt breaks down fiduciary duty—not just as a legal requirement, but as the cornerstone of courageous, strategic leadership. Learn why showing up, speaking up, and standing by your mission matters more now than ever. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily...

What do governing boards need to know to protect their institutions' missions and values during these politically charged times? Constitutional scholar, former University of Vermont President, and AGB Board Member Tom Sullivan discusses the legal challenges facing higher education today with AGB's Vice President for Content Strategy and Development Doug Goldenberg Hart. Opinions expressed in AGB p...

What's next for higher education policy? AGB's Director of Strategic Communications Joe Brenckle and Penn Hill Group Principal Alex Nock break down major federal proposals that could reshape funding, student aid, and accountability, and why governing boards must stay engaged. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ the...

Recorded on March 17, 2025  Venture capital can be a powerful portfolio driver for institutional investors when approached strategically. In this podcast, Cerity Partners Senior Principal Nat Fraser speaks with AGB Senior Consultant John Griswold about how venture capital is a critical asset class that offers significant return potential but requires boards to have a careful understanding of its u...

As colleges and universities face mounting pressures from all directions - donors, politicians, alumni, and various interest groups - the ability of governing boards to maintain their independence has never been more crucial. This autonomy isn't about resisting political influence; it's about ensuring that boards can fulfill their fiduciary duties and make decisions that serve their institutions'...

As colleges and universities attempt to navigate today's challenging economic environment, they are increasingly relying on their endowments to fund operating costs. That sometimes means spending beyond their endowment's spending policy guidelines, which presents a difficult dilemma: How do they serve present needs yet also safeguard the institution's long-term financial sustainability? In this po...

Foundation boards must create leadership succession plans for themselves and their CEOs. In addition, a strong institution-foundation partnership is crucial when a university leadership transition occurs. In this podcast, originally presented as a webinar, AGB Consulting's Natalie Boehm speaks with AGB Senior Consultant Jane DiFolco Parker and AGB's Executive Director of Philanthropic Governance D...

Dr. Claudia Hampton was the first Black woman to serve on the California State University Board of Trustees and was a key force in the fight for affirmative action in the CSU system. Hampton gained the trust of her predominantly male, white fellow board members by employing "sly civility." In this podcast, AGB Executive Vice President Mary Papazian, former President of San Jose State University, s...

Artificial intelligence plays a key role in digital transformation, allowing institutions to scale their efforts and streamline their work. In this podcast, David Bass, AGB's executive director of philanthropic governance, and Fundmetric CEO Mark Hobbs discuss the use of AI in fundraising in higher education. Effective use of AI and an improved data infrastructure can help you prioritize and perso...

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election on the horizon, how do the Democratic and Republican Party platforms address higher education policy? The election outcome will affect students and institutions, and board members should prepare so they aren't caught off guard. AGB's Morgan Alexander and Penn Hill's Alex Nock discuss the potential impacts of the election, highlighting the GOP's call for eli...

The U.S. Department of Education released the final rule on Title IX on April 29, 2024. These new regulations emphasize broader reporting standards and more mandatory reporters, which could lead to an increase in Title IX reporting. In this podcast, Sally Mason, president emerita of the University of Iowa and AGB Senior Consultant and Senior Fellow, and Peter Lake professor of law and director of...

Strategic enrollment planning goes beyond attracting new students. It involves supporting current students, evaluating program offerings, and understanding the broader environment. In this podcast, Stuart Jones of Southern Utah University and Lew Sanborne of RNL speak with AGB's Cristin Toutsi Grigos about the importance of board and campus-wide engagement in strategic enrollment planning, regular...