Governing board professionals, described in The Chronicle of Higher Education as "a pocket of power advising both the board and the administration," (Jesse, 2023, para. 3) are charged with ensuring governing boards meet their fiduciary obligations and operate effectively. Despite the role's growing recognition as a "linchpin…

The quality of a research study application sends a distinct signal to the institutional review board (IRB) about the skills, capacities, preparation, communication, experience, and resources of its authors. However, efforts to research and define IRB application quality have been insufficient. Inattention to the quality of an IRB application is…

Nonprofit organizations many times are more dependent upon both volunteers and paid staff to achieve their mission than for-profit companies (Lakey 2010). Depending on the size and maturity of the nonprofit, the role of the board may be more operational than strategic, potentially leading to a conflict or confusion of roles between the volunteer…

At a time of the British government's heightened interest in Further Education (FE) college governance, this paper explores Academic Staff Governor (ASG)'s professional and power status at three colleges in England. The study draws upon relevant literature to identify concepts related to ASGs' power and professional status in governance. An…

This article considers the contribution of the governance professional to the governing of further education colleges in the United Kingdom and arises from a wider study of the ways in which college boards develop and implement college strategy. This is the first observational study to focus on what the governance professional does within the…

A wave of presidential transitions is expected in higher education within the next several years (ACE, 2017). While the transition of a president can be a monumental and celebrated occasion for a college or university, it is many times accompanied by work disruptions, job uncertainty, and turnover of senior administrators (Overend, 2011; Smerek,…

Background/context: A growing body of evidence indicates that trustees link the boards of research universities to organizations in other fields. It is less clear whether these board characteristics indicate distinct university contexts with which particular activities would be associated. Research questions: We ask three questions. The first two…

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, so too do the challenges associated with the job of University President, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Heightened public scrutiny pertaining to topics such as minority degree completion rates, college debt, and gainful employment, combined with low…

The study sought to learn how governing boards of public university systems located along the U.S.-Mexico border exercise their roles and influence over matters of student diversity. Traditionally, governing boards have been dominated by older white males and have concentrated their attention on high-level financial issues. In addition, the boards…

Purpose: Analyzing data collected from the charter school board members and the superintendent in a charter school district in a southeastern state about the quality and usefulness of training, the purpose of this paper is to provide an important foundation for understanding training and development for charter school boards in the USA.…

The county boards of developmental disabilities in the state of Ohio have experienced significant change in vision, mission, programs, services, and funding over the last several years. In times of vast change, the ability to successfully lead an organization becomes challenging. In an effort to identify the leadership behaviors and styles of…

"Advice from the Principal's Desk: 5 Pillars of School Leadership" is a fresh, new take on school leadership from award-winning former school administrator and professor of education Dr. David Franklin. In the book, you'll find the tools and strategies that veteran school administrators need to succeed in their roles. You'll learn how to…

Board professionals play crucial planning, coordination, and support roles in the day-to-day life of college, university, and foundation governing boards. Their work is often conducted behind the scenes but is critical to board success and performance. The coronavirus-necessitated switch by higher education to new modes of operation, often at high…

In this highly disruptive and uncertain period for higher education, while governing boards and the senior leadership of colleges and universities may be fulfilling their roles conscientiously, their efforts may not be enough to ensure the long-term viability of their institution's business model. Pre-COVID-19 market forces presented significant…

This post-intentional phenomenological study examined the experiences of women who served on public higher education governing boards, including how women's presence shaped the work of the board and what structures and practices impacted women's experiences. Results indicated that gender along with other social identities influence women's…