The Academy

The Academy draws on the respective areas of expertise and experience of the Gardner Institute and AGB to offer an ongoing professional development program that will better prepare governing boards to:

• Understand the centrality of equity in student success in the future of their institutions, economy, and society;   

• Understand the respective roles and responsibilities of board members, administration, and faculty in shared governance for student success;  

• Develop a solid understanding of policies and practices that contribute to student success and the connections between equity, student success, financial vitality, and other areas of board responsibility (enrollment, athletics, financial aid, campus climate, etc.); 

• Consider how equity in student success affects the reputation of the institution and its accreditation; 

• Ask better critical questions about student success and equity and come to shared definitions so all stakeholders will be “speaking the same language”;

• Ensure that their boards are structured in ways that elevate issues of equity and student success and maintain sustained commitment, even in the face of CEO or CAO transitions;

• Consider key board-level metrics and institutional best practices for equity in student success and how to interpret/use this information;

• Provide sample dashboards and encourage boards and leadership teams to create a set of metrics related to equity in student success that are regularly reviewed and discussed; and  

• Generate and share new ideas for how boards and senior leaders can work together to address aspects of institutional culture that facilitate or inhibit equity in student success; for boards, gain a better understanding of the challenges presidents face in enhancing equity in student success and how they can be more effective thought partners in overcoming these challenges.

Format and Content

The Academy consists of:

• Two annual seminars organized in conjunction with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education as part of the Trusteeship Symposium and the Student Success Summit.

• Webinars asynchronous or recorded) -- opportunities will be offered throughout the year, live and/or on-demand, to deepen understanding of issues and serve as resources for new and continuing board members and administrators.

• Peer-to-Peer Conversation in an ongoing Governing Board Community of Practice.

• Access to specialized dashboards examining equity in student success analytics.

• A dedicated website with selected readings concerning student success; justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and governance, available to project participants. This will include resources from AGB and the Gardner Institute as well as participating institutions and other sources.

• Blog Posts—Academy participants and project staff will be invited to share best practice ideas with each other and the higher education community through blogs posted on AGB.org.

• A culminating virtual event for the broader higher education community featuring project participants and representatives of KY CPE, AGB, and the Gardner Institute to share best practices and lessons learned about equity in student success.

Applications

Applications are currently being accepted from institutions located in the state of Kentucky.

Applications are available here.

You will create a my.jngi.org account, choose The Governing Board Equity in Student Success Academy, and complete 4 short questions.

Institutions may join the Academy at any time and have access to recordings of materials previously covered.

Questions? Contact Dr. Vicki McGillin

About AGB

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the premier membership organization that strengthens higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they serve within their organizations. Through our vast library of resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with nearly 100 years of experience, we empower 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations, and govern with confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief executives, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership.

About the Gardner Institute 

The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with colleges, universities, philanthropic organizations, educators, and other entities to increase institutional responsibility for improving outcomes associated with teaching, learning, retention, and completion. Through its efforts the Institute strives to advance higher education’s larger goal of achieving equity and social justice. Specific focus is given to helping institutions develop and implement strategic action plans for first-year, second-year and/or transfer student success; improving teaching, learning and success in gateway courses; and conducting professional development focused on advancing educational excellence. For more information, visit www.jngi.org.

Funded by Ascendium

About Ascendium Education Group

Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping people reach the education and career goals that matter to them. Ascendium invests in initiatives designed to increase the number of students from low-income backgrounds who complete postsecondary degrees, certificates and workforce training programs, with an emphasis on first-generation students, incarcerated adults, rural community members, students of color and veterans. Ascendium's work identifies, validates and expands best practices to promote large-scale change at the institutional, system and state levels, with the intention of elevating opportunity for all. For more information, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.