Beyond the Bubble: Expanding the College Board's Horizon for Better Governance

In the dynamic and complex landscape of higher education, the effectiveness of college governing boards hinges on their ability to understand and navigate myriad challenges and opportunities. Traditionally, boards have relied heavily on their administrations to provide the lens through which they view the institution. While this relationship is invaluable, it can sometimes limit the board's perspective, confining their understanding to a singular viewpoint. Boards must venture outside this "bubble" and cultivate a more comprehensive view of their institution's role in the broader higher education ecosystem.

The Case for a Broader Perspective

Engaging with Diverse Stakeholders: Incorporating insights from faculty, staff, students, alums, and the community can provide a multi-dimensional view of the institution's strengths, challenges, and opportunities. These diverse perspectives enrich the board's understanding and contribute to more informed, holistic decision-making.

Leveraging External Expertise: Advisory panels and professional development opportunities expose board members to innovative practices and trends in higher education governance. This external expertise can inspire new approaches to perennial challenges and strategic opportunities.

Benchmarking and Comparative Analysis: Understanding how the institution compares to its peers can highlight pathways to improvement and differentiation. This benchmarking is essential for positioning the institution competitively in a crowded and evolving landscape.

Data-Driven Insights: Institutional research and analytics offer a factual basis for understanding the institution’s performance across various domains, from student success to financial stability. This data-driven approach supports strategic, evidence-based governance.

Strategic Visioning: Future scenario planning encourages the board to think beyond immediate challenges to long-term possibilities, ensuring the institution remains relevant and adaptable in the face of change.

Presidential Perspectives: Embracing, Not Fearing, Broadened Board Horizons

Presidents might initially view the board's efforts to broaden its information sources cautiously, concerned it might undermine their leadership or signal a lack of trust. However, these efforts should be seen as complementary to the president's vision, not as a challenge to their authority. Here’s why:

• Strengthened Decision-Making: A board equipped with a multi-faceted understanding of the institution can provide more substantial support and strategic guidance, enhancing the president's ability to lead effectively.
• Shared Leadership: By fostering a culture of shared leadership, where the board and the president collaborate with a rich tapestry of insights, the institution can navigate complex challenges more adeptly and seize opportunities more confidently.
• Trust and Transparency: Efforts by the board to diversify its perspectives can strengthen the trust and transparency between the board, the president, and the broader institution, creating a more unified and resilient governance structure.

Implementing the Shift

For boards ready to expand their horizons, the journey begins with a commitment to openness, curiosity, and collaboration. Implementing structured processes for engaging with diverse stakeholders, leveraging external expertise, conducting benchmarking analyses, and embracing data-driven governance will require time and intentionality. However, the benefits—a more informed, agile, and strategic board—far outweigh the costs.

Conclusion

The governance of higher education institutions in today's rapidly changing landscape requires a broad, informed, and dynamic approach. By stepping outside their traditional "bubble," college governing boards can ensure they are meeting their institutions' current needs and leading them toward a thriving future. In partnership with their boards, presidents play a pivotal role in this process, embracing a broadened network of information sources as an opportunity to strengthen the institution's governance and strategic direction.

Robert (Skip) Myers, Ph.D., directs Casagrande Consulting's Board Effectiveness Practice and provides advice and counsel to college and university governing boards seeking to optimize their performance.