What makes a foundation innovative? How does a foundation catalyze innovation if the institution doesn’t have a culture of innovation? AGB's publication, The New Realities for Public Higher Education Foundations, focuses on the opportunities and risks institutionally related foundations face in a dynamic and uncertain higher education environment. In this podcast, former AGB President Rick Legon edited the book and interviews Gretchen Buhlig, CEO of the Arizona State University Foundation and author of the New Realities chapter, “The Innovative Foundation.”

Trusteeship Radio

Innovative Foundations

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Board of Trustees recently voted to establish a Committee on Sustainable Racial Justice. This standing committee at the regional public institution will provide board-of-trustee oversight of the university’s efforts to eradicate systematic racism. In this podcast, MSU Denver’s Board Secretary David Fine discusses the work behind the new committee with trustees Mario Carrera and Albus Brooks, the board members who called for the formation of this committee.

Board Leadership for Racial Justice

 During this time of unprecedented challenges, the financial health of colleges and universities is a critical concern. Boards, investment committees, institutional leaders, and their advisors must work together to assess and plan for both the short- and long-term implications of the Covid-19 crisis, which is accelerating many of the negative trends that were already underway for higher ed.  In this podcast discussion, Tim Yates, President of Commonfund Asset Management and head of the firm’s OCIO practice, discusses with AGB’s George Watt the challenges institutions are facing, shares the key questions they need to address, and offers strategies to help them face these challenges. 

The Key Endowment Questions for Challenging Times

Join AGB’s George Watt and Bank of America’s Bill Jarvis in a conversation on governance issues facing investment committees and institutional / foundation boards as campuses gradually reopen. Regardless of your institution’s specific situation, Bill emphasizes the importance of knowing three crucial things: Where you stand – the risks to which your investment portfolio and institution are exposed, and the effect on them of potential future scenarios; Why you stand there – the rationale behind portfolio and institutional structures and how they are intended to work together Where you are going – the intersection between science and society that will determine the investment and operational regime in which you will be operating This conversation is intended to provoke productive thought at a time when decisions are being made in an environment that remains uncertain and very fluid. Speakers: Bill Jarvis, Managing Director, Bank of America (William_Jarvis@bofa.com) William Jarvis is a managing director with Bank of America based in New York, responsible for strategic thought leadership with institutional and private philanthropic clients. He joined Bank of America in 2017 from Commonfund, where, as the executive director of the Commonfund Institute, he led that firm’s educational, research and professional development activities. He holds a BA in English literature from Yale University, a JD from the Northwestern University School of Law, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He does not provide legal advice in his role at Bank of America. George P. Watt, Jr. AGB Senior Fellow George Watt joined AGB as a senior fellow in July 2017, with a focus on AGB’s support of institutionally related foundations. In this role, he assists and advises on programs and research supporting the work of public university foundation boards and business operations, including AGB’s annual Foundation Leadership Forum, which brings together hundreds of board members and CEOs from across the country for a three-day program focused on governance practice, endowment management, and fundraising leadership. Prior to joining AGB, Mr. Watt served as executive vice president of institutional advancement at the College of Charleston (SC) and executive director of the College of Charleston Foundation. Mr. Watt came to the College of Charleston from the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, where he served for nearly nine years as the joint president and chief executive officer. Mr. Watt previously held executive positions with First Union Corporation’s Enterprise Solutions Group, as well as IBM Consulting Group’s North American Financial Services practice. He is a 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds the retired rank of Captain, U.S. Navy.

Building the Bridge: Endowment Governance and Philanthropic Support During and After the Pandemic

Corvias Founder John Picerne explores how colleges and universities can transform themselves through strategically partnering with an innovator in the private sector, allowing for the monetization of existing resources and eradication of debt.

Solutions Through Partnerships: Higher Education & The Private Sector

In this episode, AGB examines how University of Washington Alumni Association engaged with the state legislature and other policymakers to support university priorities through the work of UW Impact, the advocacy arm of the Alumni Association. Featuring Paul Rucker (executive director of the University of Washington Alumni Association) and Courtney Acitelli (program director of UW Impact), this episode explores the strength of engaging with alumni, community leaders, businesses, and other higher education institutions to promote higher education initiatives with lawmakers.

Engaging Alumni in Advocacy

Academic research played a role in some of the most transformative technologies today, in medicine, communications, and a host of other disciplines. However, skepticism of higher education and budget fears are cause for concern, encouraging policymakers and the public alike to question the value of university research. AGB interviewed former University System of Maryland Regent and former CEO of Lockheed Martin Norm Augustine, as well as former Emory University President Jim Wagner, to dig into the value of university research.

Understanding the Power of Research

In April 2019, AGB released a new advisory statement, “Reclaiming Higher Education’s Leadership in Support of Civil Education.” In this episode of Trusteeship Radio, Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University, and Kristin Hodge-Clark, former AGB vice president for best practice and innovation and a trustee at the College of Saint Benedict, share examples of how civil education works on their campuses, in the classroom and the board room. 

Support of Civil Education

Endowments allow colleges and universities, like other public and charitable organizations, to fund a portion of their work continuously, generation after generation. The ways in which these funds have been solicited from donors, applied to expenses, and stewarded over time are ultimately unique to each institution, and public misconceptions have proliferated on each of these points. Hear from Sandy Baum, a nonresident fellow at the Urban Institute and trustee of Bryn Mawr College, explain why endowments exist, what they provide to institutions and students, and why they are at risk.

Demystifying Endowments

When it comes to intercollegiate athletics, board members should consider the totality of the student experience—from success on the playing fields to success in the classroom. Sometimes, the scales get tipped, and when problems emerge the board can find itself caught up in scandal. Boards need to understand their larger role and accept their accountability.

Fans or Fiduciaries? Boards and Intercollegiate Athletics

Has higher education lost the public's trust? This episode of Trusteeship Radio explores the realities and data behind confidence in higher education, featuring guests Patricia Brown Holmes, managing partner at Riley, Safer, Holmes, and Cancila and a former Illinois state court judge, and Brandon Busteed, executive director, education and workforce development at Gallup. Listen to these two experts weigh in on the factors that affect public confidence, including cost, access, and political viewpoints. More about AGB's Guardians Initiative at www.agb.org/guardians.

The public's trust in higher education

What is the true measure of ROI in higher education? Michelle Tellock, a senior associate at Hogan Lovells, and Horacio Valeiras, a board member at Virginia Tech, discuss how the role of American higher education has evolved in our society in this Trusteeship Radio episode (formerly Higher Education Nation). How did the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, the GI Bill, and Pell grants shape the public perception of higher ed, and how is value being discussed in the board room? And what qualitative and quantitative data—including information about civic engagement and public health—should be included in these conversations with the public and legislators? For more information on ROI in higher education, see agb.org/guardians.

Return on investment in higher education

What is innovation in higher education? Nancy Zimpher, immediate past chancellor of the State University of New York, and Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University, discuss how innovation applies to higher education, as well as the challenges and opportunities that come with it. Listen to each discuss the board's role in innovation and mission, as well as effective methods to introduce innovation to the board. More about AGB's Guardians Initiative at www.agb.org/guardians.

Innovations in higher education

Having the right information is crucial when responding to questions about why college costs so much. But does it? Most students don't pay the full "sticker price" once financial aid is taken into consideration. Listen to Sandy Baum, economist and senior fellow at the Urban Institute, discuss the costs and benefits of a college degree–and why you never hear a news story about an unemployed high-school graduate. More about AGB's Guardians Initiative and The Business of Higher Education report mentioned in the podcast at www.agb.org/guardians.

Why does college cost so much?

Higher education is often criticized for its costs and its relevancy. How can you be an advocate for higher education, even when public trust is eroding? Listen to AGB President Rick Legon and Kevin Reilly, president emeritus of the University of Wisconsin System, discuss how to respond to higher education's critics in a candid dialogue about these important issues. More about AGB's Guardians Initiative at www.agb.org/guardians.

It’s time to fight for higher education

Trusteeship Radio, the podcast from the Association of Governing Boards, provides perspective on the issues facing the nation's universities and colleges. Through insider insight and expert analysis, Trusteeship Radio (formerly Higher Education Nation) helps leaders in this vital sector advance the public trust in higher education.

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