Title VI: What Board Members Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 to strengthen compliance efforts. The conversation offers trustees and administrators practical guidance for maintaining a safe and inclusive campus climate amid rapidly changing expectations....
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Communicating Differences across the Boardroom
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 Innovation at the (CDI). They explore research-based habits for constructive disagreement and share strategies to build trust, improve board culture, and keep shared purpose front and...
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Federal Policy Update: September, 2025
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 insights into the Department of Education's spring Unified Agenda and what it signals for accreditation and Title IV rulemaking in 2026. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers...
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Antisemitism on Campus: What Boards Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 , a nationally recognized scholar and advisor to the Brandeis University President's Initiative on Antisemitism. They discuss how higher education leaders and trustees can recognize contemporary expressions of antisemitism, ensure alignment with institutional policies, and foster learning environments grounded in safety, inclusion, and academic freedom. This timely...
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Accreditation: What Boards Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.
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Understanding Fiduciary Duty: The Foundation of Strategic Governance
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.
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Higher Education at a Constitutional Crossroads
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.
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The Shifting 2025 Higher Ed Policy Landscape: What Boards Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 them or of AGB.
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Venture Capital: What Board Members Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 unique risks and dynamics. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.
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Board Independence and Neutrality
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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' missions and values. Board independence is key to institutions maintaining their role as crucial incubators of innovation, discovery, and democratic values. In this podcast, AGB President and CEO Fram...
info_outlineWhile 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.