Refocusing Board Conversations on True Drivers of Change

University boards play a pivotal role in shaping institutional direction, but too often strategic discussions are derailed by operational minutiae or drift into abstract debates detached from campus realities. The result: lost time, diluted focus, and missed opportunities for action.

This 60-minute virtual session is designed for chief strategy officers, vice presidents of strategy, and chiefs of staff who are responsible for fostering productive board engagement. We’ll explore how institutional leaders can create the right conditions for their boards to engage meaningfully with long-term strategy—asking the right questions, challenging assumptions, and inspiring actionable decisions.

Discussion topics will include:
• Clarifying the board’s strategic role: How to balance oversight with forward-looking inquiry.
• Designing the right conversation structures: Using agenda design, pre-reads, and framing to move beyond tactical updates.
• Bridging context gaps: Equipping board members with sector intelligence to ensure discussions remain grounded in institutional and market realities.
• Driving follow-through: Converting board input into tangible institutional action.

Participants will leave with practical tools and frameworks to reimagine how their boards approach strategy, creating the conditions for dialogue that not only informs but drives institutional transformation.

Session

Click the Register button to sign up.

Attendance is limited to chief strategy officers, vice presidents of strategy, and chiefs of staff. Registration is limited to two attendees per institution.

• Friday, December 12, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time