Board chairs and vice chairs hold crucial roles in shaping the strategic direction and effectiveness of colleges and university management. We can help advance board leaders’ governance by providing custom-tailored advisory and issue-framing services, and expert grounding in the history, norms, financing and successes (and failures) in American higher education. Our aim is to help board leaders achieve even more success in navigating governance and management complexities, strengthening presidential partnerships, and driving lasting institutional evolution and success.
Governance and Leadership Support for Board Chairs
& Vice Chairs
We empower board leaders to govern with clarity, confidence, and impact in a rapidly evolving higher education ecosystem.
The Critical Role of Board Chairs and Vice Chairs in Higher Education
Effective governance starts with board leadership that has a sophisticated understanding of the unique finances, operations and norms of universities and colleges.
Chairs and vice chairs are responsible for setting the tone, guiding board priorities, ensuring fiduciary oversight, and fostering collaboration between the board, president, faculty, and key stakeholders. The landscape of higher education governance continues to evolve, presenting challenges such as:
Finding the sometimes elusive boundary between strategic governance oversight and directive operational engagement
Fully, fairly assessing presidential performance periodically or in special circumstances
Navigating shared governance dynamics with faculty and executive administration
Enhancing board performance, efficiency, protocols and accountability
Managing leadership transitions with clarity and stability
Our consulting services are designed to equip board leaders with the confidence and expertise needed to meet these demands, proactively and effectively, with sophistication and clarity.
Consulting Services for Higher Education
Board Chairs and Vice Chairs
Presidential Assessment and Accountability Frameworks
Establish clear, constructive evaluation processes to conduct periodic or special assessments of presidential performance. We help boards implement frameworks that support leadership development and institutional goals.
Board Performance and Succession Support
Conduct assessments to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in board function, committee structure, and approval protocols. We can also assist board leaders in planning effective succession for board leadership and membership to ensure continuity and strategic momentum.
Strategic Oversight and Policy Consulting
Assist board chairs and vice chairs in refining policies and oversight mechanisms to align governance structures with institutional mission and evolving higher education challenges.
Shared Governance and Faculty Engagement Strategies
Help board leaders navigate the complexities (and occasional frustrations) of shared governance with strategies that build trust and partnership among board members, executive management, faculty, and senior staff, fostering a collaborative and aligned institutional culture.
Board Governance General Consulting
Provide customized training programs to enhance understanding of fiduciary responsibilities, governance best practices, university finance, and regulatory compliance related to institutional missions. These sessions can foster engaged, informed, and effective board leadership.
Why University Board Leaders Choose Wrighton Cannon Consulting
With five decades of experience partnering with board leaders across higher education, our consultants bring deep insight into governance challenges and best practices. We combine practical governance expertise with an understanding of varied institutional cultures to deliver solutions that enhance board effectiveness and institutional impact. Our tailored approach ensures that each board leader receives personalized guidance aligned with their institution’s mission, governance structures, and strategic priorities.
