Protecting Talent, Values, and Opportunity: Governing Boards and Immigration Policy
Release Date: 01/23/2026
Federal Policy Update: July, 2026
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
Congress is juggling Department of Education interagency agreements, the College Transparency Act, and a new framework for college athletics. In this episode, Joe Brenckle speaks with Penn Hill Group’s Alex Nock about these higher education developments as well as updates on regulation and the Pell grant shortfall. 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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Who Wants to Be a College President? Leadership, Purpose, and the Modern Presidency
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, student success, and the evolving demands of the presidency. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of...
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Federal Policy Update: June, 2026
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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.
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Beyond the Benchmark: Are You Paying for an OCIO Partner or Just a Portfolio?
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 committees should expect from their investment partners today. Together, they discuss how institutions of all sizes can strengthen decision-making, navigate uncertainty, and position their endowments to...
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The Citizen Service: Partnering for Civic Engagement and Democracy
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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. 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 strengthening it. In this podcast, John Silvanus Wilson, president of The Citizen Service and a former president of Morehouse College, and Rashawn Davis, who serves as a senior advisor to The Citizen Service, discuss...
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Federal Policy Update: March, 2026
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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, offering key insights for boards tracking federal policy developments. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that...
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Protecting Talent, Values, and Opportunity: Governing Boards and Immigration Policy
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 sustainability in a rapidly shifting immigration landscape. Board members will gain insights into the key populations affected, current policy pressures, and what fiduciary leadership looks like when...
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Federal Policy Update: December, 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. 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 2026, this timely conversation offers insights to help boards stay ahead. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations...
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Free Speech on Campus: What Boards Need to Know
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
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 how governing boards can uphold both inclusion and open inquiry in an increasingly polarized environment. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of...
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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....
info_outlineImmigration 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 sustainability in a rapidly shifting immigration landscape. Board members will gain insights into the key populations affected, current policy pressures, and what fiduciary leadership looks like when it comes to protecting talent, values, and opportunity.
Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.