In recent years, the circumstances under which private colleges and universities operate have caused unusual pressures on both presidents and trustees as they seek to balance short-term needs with long-term strategic judgments. The strains on presidents and governing boards sometimes have been severe, often resulting in adverse consequences for the colleges they serve—and presidential tenures. The roots of those problems are sometimes attributed to conflicting personalities or personal styles but are more often traceable to board culture, norms, and faulty structure—that is, misalignment with best governance principles, policies, and practices.
The Presidents Governance Academy is unique in its exclusive focus on the perspective of the independent college president. While it respects the distinction between the president’s and the board’s authority, the Academy starts with the premise that the president must have the tools and the mandate to advance efforts, with board leaders, to develop an effective governing board.
“I strongly recommend the Presidents Governance Academy to other presidents. The discussion about the increasing importance of the committee on trustees was particularly helpful.”
—Mary Eileen O’Brien, OP, President, Dominican College (NY)
“The program far exceeded my expectations. In particular, I appreciated the variety of viewpoints reflected in the advance readings along with consideration of board assessment practices and procedures during the Academy.”
—Laurie M. Hamen, President, Mount Mercy University