AGB’s Govern NOW initiative provides guidance and how-to resources to help fiduciary governing boards understand and address today’s unprecedented challenges to board independence, academic freedom, and free expression, hallmarks of the American higher education system. In this turbulent environment, boards need to be prepared to protect institutional autonomy, embrace fiduciary responsibility, and continue to advance their mission and values.   

The Govern NOW Leadership Academy, led by AGB’s seasoned governance advisers, PEN America’s leading presenters on academic freedom and freedom of expression, and expert guest presenters, equips you to bring current thinking, resources, and networks to your board’s deliberations. The leadership academy will prepare you by focusing on the critical example of free expression and academic freedom; you will learn how to identify and deal with the highest priority new concerns emerging in today’s environment. 

This inaugural convening of the Govern NOW Leadership Academy will be limited to 30 participants. Discussions and outcomes will inform a learning program for board member development at scale. 

SOME BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION 

• Access a curated set of resources that address the most consequential opportunities and threats facing boards related to fiduciary responsibility, board independence, academic freedom, and free expression. 

• Engage in expert-led conversations and peer discussions focused on real-world governance dilemmas and explore strategies for thoughtful analysis and effective decision-making. 

• Examine the governance, academic freedom, and free expression challenges facing institutions today.. 

• Learn how to recognize and act on key governance opportunities or avoid potential threats and risks in order to govern effectively in today’s environment. 

• Articulate the roles of free speech and academic freedom in higher education, explain why they are critical to American higher education, and recognize and address threats to these freedoms. 

• Inform and influence a learning program that will be presented to higher education board members nationwide to strengthen institutional autonomy 

• Obtain a formal certificate of completion as evidence of your commitment to strong governance. 

• Receive a $3,200 stipend to cover partial or all registration and travel expenses for the 2026 AGB National Conference on Trusteeship.  

PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

The Govern NOW Leadership Academy consists of four 90-minute virtual sessions in January and February 2026, followed by a half-day workshop at the 2026 AGB National Conference on Trusteeship in Denver. Each virtual session will include a 20–30-minute presentation, followed by related break-out group activities, discussion of relevant situations at participants’ institutions, and further attention to participants' top-priority topics. 

Virtual Meetings: Four 90-minute virtual sessions, plus readings 

January 16, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | Board Governance NOW 
January 30, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | Dealing with Political Intrusion 
February 13, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | Academic Freedom 
February 27, 2026 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | Freedom of Speech 

Invitations to occasional virtual lunches for open discussion with AGB experts 

In-Person Meeting: Half-day workshop at the 2026 National Conference on Trusteeship in Denver 
The afternoon of March 28, 2026

• Applied learning: scenarios, tabletop exercises 
• Networking and strategizing 
• Focus attention and expertise on what matters most to participants
• Recommendations to your institution’s board and president 
• Participants are asked to commit to attending all sessions. To maximize the time available for case studies, exercises, and discussion, at least two hours of pre-reading or other preparation is expected for each session. Class discussions and activities are to be treated as confidential.

INVITATION TO APPLY 

The Govern NOW Leadership Academy is open to public, private, and system, governing board members, presidents, board professionals, and general counsels at no charge. The class is limited to 30 individuals. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers of enrollment will be granted until the cohort is full. Please send questions to registrar@agb.org.