Held immediately before the Presidents Institute, CIC’s Presidents Governance Academy was facilitated by Richard T. (Tom) Ingram, senior advisor for president-board relations, CIC, and former president, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges; and (pictured) Richard J. Cook, president emeritus, Allegheny College (PA).

A diverse group of 18 presidents representing a wide array of CIC member colleges and universities examined ways to strengthen and sustain high-performing boards of trustees during CIC’s 2018 Presidents Governance Academy. The fifth annual Academy took place January 3–4, in Hollywood, Florida, immediately before the 2018 Presidents Institute.

The Academy provides an opportunity for experienced college presidents to contemplate best principles, policies, and practices for strengthening board performance and easing strains on president-board relationships. Sessions explored board composition, committee structure, trustee orientation, and board meeting structure. A key feature was a two-step critique of each participating institution’s governing board bylaws.

“The Academy was one of the finest professional development programs, perhaps the finest, in which I have participated,” remarked Kurt Dykstra, president of Trinity Christian College (IL). Participants also noted that the Academy’s focus on strategic board leadership and best practices for the assessment of board members and presidents were particularly helpful.

The seminar was led by Richard T. (Tom) Ingram, CIC senior advisor for president-board relations and former president of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, and Richard J. Cook, president emeritus of Allegheny College (PA). Jorge Diaz-Herrera, president of Keuka College (NY), remarked, “Ingram and Cook have great chemistry and coordination as a team. They combine honest feedback with humor and encouragement to stretch our goals of personal and board growth.”

The Presidents Governance Academy is supported by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. CIC is developing plans for the 2019 Academy, which will take place January 3–4 in conjunction with the 2019 Presidents Institute.

View additional information about the 2018 program.

2018 Presidents Governance Academy Participants