PODCAST · education
AGB Trusteeship Podcast
by Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
The Trusteeship Podcast from the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) provides perspective on the issues facing the nation's universities and colleges. Through insider insight and expert analysis, AGB's podcast helps leaders in this vital sector advance the public trust in higher education.
Episodes
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Restoring the Public Trust: A Governance Agenda for Higher Education
Public trust in higher education is under strain, but rebuilding it requires more than a stronger communications strategy. In this episode, AGB's Jackie Gardina and Jeremy Young of the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) discuss AAC&U's The Trust Agenda, and the critical role...
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Federal Policy Update: July, 2026
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…
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Who Wants to Be a College President? Leadership, Purpose, and the Modern Presidency
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...
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Federal Policy Update: June, 2026
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?
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...
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The Citizen Service: Partnering for Civic Engagement and Democracy
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…
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Federal Policy Update: March, 2026
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....
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Protecting Talent, Values, and Opportunity: Governing Boards and Immigration Policy
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…
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Federal Policy Update: December, 2025
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…
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Free Speech on Campus: What Boards Need to Know
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…
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Title VI: What Board Members Need to Know
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...
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Communicating Differences across the Boardroom
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...
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Federal Policy Update: September, 2025
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...
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Antisemitism on Campus: What Boards Need to Know
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...
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Accreditation: What Boards Need to Know
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...
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Understanding Fiduciary Duty: The Foundation of Strategic Governance
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…
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Higher Education at a Constitutional Crossroads
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…
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The Shifting 2025 Higher Ed Policy Landscape: What Boards Need to Know
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…
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Venture Capital: What Board Members Need to Know
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...
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Board Independence and Neutrality
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...
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Endowments: Spending Policy vs. Practice
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...
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Crafting Robust Succession Plans for Foundation Continuity and Growth
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…
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Black Woman on Board
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…
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Artificial Intelligence and Fundraising
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…
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Higher Education and the 2024 Election
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...
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Title IX Regulations: What Boards Need to Know
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…
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Strategic Enrollment Planning
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...
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Digital Transformation
Changing student expectations, technological advances, and the need for flexibility have been driving a digital transformation in higher education. To make the most of that transformation, colleges and universities—and the boards that oversee them—need to develop a strategic plan and align...
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New Overtime Regulations - What Boards Need to Know
The Department of Labor recently issued a new rule affecting exempt and non-exempt employee status, which classifies employees based on job characteristics and determines if employees are eligible for overtime pay. The new rule could change who falls into those classifications, including staff…
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FAFSA Delays: What Boards Need to Know
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the crucial link for students pursuing higher education by determining their financial support needs. However, this year's revised FAFSA rollout has encountered significant challenges—including false starts, communication issues, and...
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Board Independence Under Fire: Part II
Boards play a critical role in protecting the autonomy of higher education institutions and must lead proactively to navigate challenges to independence. In part two of this podcast, Board Independence Under Fire, AGB Interim President and CEO Ellen Chaffee and AGB Senior Fellows and Senior...
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Board Independence Under Fire: Part I
While 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...
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Higher Education Risk Governance in an Increasingly Complex, Expansive, and Regulated Environment
An effective enterprise risk management, or ERM, program is more than just identifying risks; it should add value to an organization by focusing on managing and monitoring risks over time. How do boards distinguish between disruptive and strategic risks? How do campuses address student mental...
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What Boards Need to Know about the Federal Budget
A federal government shutdown loomed large in September, but a last-minute agreement pushed the conversation to November. In this podcast, AGB's Morgan Alexander talks with Alex Nock of the Penn Hill Group about the top-line budget issues affecting higher education, where Congress is in its...
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Reflections from a Foundation Leader
After a 33-year career at Wichita State University, Elizabeth King is retiring as president and CEO of Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement. In this podcast, Elizabeth and David Bass, AGB executive director of philanthropic governance, discuss shifting trends in advancement,...
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The Board Professional Certificate Program
AGB's Board Professional Certificate Program, launched in July 2022, was created by board professionals for board professionals. In this episode, Patti Kunkle, AGB's senior vice president and chief membership experience officer, speaks with AGB Senior Consultant and Senior Fellow Lynnette Heard…
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Navigating Communication and Cultural Challenges on Campus: Insights for College and University Leaders
As the upcoming election season approaches, board members and top campus administrators must increasingly anticipate and navigate cultural challenges with tact and insight. In this episode, Erin Bossen and Simon Barker of Blue Moon Consulting Group speak with AGB's Morgan Alexander about…
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Intercollegiate Athletics: What Boards Need to Know
Intercollegiate athletics is changing at a rapid pace with implications for regulatory, programmatic, and governance oversight. In this podcast, Kent State University President Emerita and AGB Senior Consultant Carol Cartwright speaks with Huron's Tim Walsh and with Jim Delany, a former...
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Diversification: A Strategic Response to Enrollment Shifts
Higher education is on the edge of change with more institutional closures and consolidations, and colleges and universities must continue to think strategically. Diversification of revenue streams is one such way to plan for the future. In this podcast, AGB's Associate Vice President of Content...
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Navigating the ESG Landscape in 2023 and Beyond
University endowments are starting to take sustainable investing seriously, not only because students are urging them to but also because ESG—environmental, social, and governance—investing is proving to be good investment practice. For endowments looking to get started, or to expand their...
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Higher Education and Democracy: A Call to Action for Governing Boards
Growing political intrusion into higher education, insufficient preparedness to address demographic shifts impacting campus communities, and public skepticism regarding the value of higher education have the potential to weaken our colleges and universities and severely limit their ability to…
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Enrollment Strategies for Boards
Demographic and market changes are having a serious impact on higher education enrollment. Board members need a solid understanding of their institution's marketing position and reputation, as well as of the relationship between institutional mission and enrollment strategies. In this podcast…
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What Boards Need to Know about Real Estate Optimization: Driving Stronger Performance in Higher Education
By taking proactive and strategic approaches to their leased and owned real estate holdings, colleges and universities can generate the liquidity and occupancy-costs savings they need to support their ongoing business strategies. In this podcast, Helen Drinan, president emerita of Simmons...
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Campus Activism and Protests: How to Use the Summer Holidays to Prepare
With an expected higher level of student activism when students return to campus in the fall, what can institutions expect and how can governing boards and administrations plan—together—to be prepared? In this podcast, Simon Barker and Pam Roskowski from the Blue Moon Consulting Group discuss…
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Endowment Management for Higher Education
AGB recently released the second edition of Endowment Management for Higher Education. Since the first edition was published in 2017, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a quick stress test for endowments. In this podcast, AGB's Executive Director of Philanthropic Governance David Bass discusses with...
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Board Leadership in Uncertain Times
In today's uncertain higher education environment, colleges and universities rely on forward-looking governing boards to respond to rapidly evolving issues and challenges. Trustees must stay on top of strategic issues affecting their institutions and actively engage with their administration…
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Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards
Cyberattacks on colleges, universities, and foundations have become more frequent, more sophisticated, and more dangerous. Governing boards must recognize that these are enterprise-level risks, not simply an IT issue. AGB's new publication, Cyber Risk Oversight for Higher Education Boards,...
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The Essential Partnership between Foundations and Institutions
Institutionally related foundations are critical to the future success of colleges and universities. The most effective foundations foster relationships between the president and the foundation through the CEO and board chair based on trust, transparency, and open communication. In this podcast,...
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Higher Education Business Models Under Stress
In this podcast, AGB Consulting's Chris Moloney interviews Higher Education Business Models Under Stress coauthors Melody Rose and Larry Large about the importance of financial stress testing, and the pivotal role of governing boards in transforming the business model to lower costs and restore...
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Graduate Online Enrollment Marketing
Online program management is more important than ever before since nearly every student in America has now taken online classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher education institutions can no longer afford not to learn, master, and perfect the creation, marketing, and enrollment of online...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Trusteeship Podcast from the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) provides perspective on the issues facing the nation's universities and colleges. Through insider insight and expert analysis, AGB's podcast helps leaders in this vital sector advance the public trust in higher education.
HOSTED BY
Association of Governing Boards (AGB)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does AGB Trusteeship Podcast have?
AGB Trusteeship Podcast currently has 73 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is AGB Trusteeship Podcast about?
The Trusteeship Podcast from the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) provides perspective on the issues facing the nation's universities and colleges. Through insider insight and expert analysis, AGB's podcast helps leaders in this vital sector advance the public trust in higher education.
How often does AGB Trusteeship Podcast release new episodes?
AGB Trusteeship Podcast has 73 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to AGB Trusteeship Podcast?
You can listen to AGB Trusteeship Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts AGB Trusteeship Podcast?
AGB Trusteeship Podcast is created and hosted by Association of Governing Boards (AGB).
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