Board and President Alignment

Elevating Higher Education Leadership: Aligning Vision with Action

The Casagrande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness offers specialized consulting services to optimize the critical partnership between governing boards and presidents in higher education institutions. These services aim to drive institutional success through strategic clarity, competency assessment, and actionable roadmaps. Here, we outline the unique approach, process, and benefits of engaging with us to transform board-president partnerships and develop institutional excellence.

The Importance of Board-President Alignment

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, the alignment between governing boards and presidents has become more crucial than ever. This partnership forms the backbone of institutional leadership, driving strategic decisions and shaping the future of universities and colleges. Misalignment can lead to ineffective governance, stalled progress, and missed opportunities.

Recognizing this critical need, the Casagrande Institute has developed a specialized approach to optimize board-president relationships. By focusing on strategic alignment, competency assessment, and actionable planning, we help institutions navigate complex challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. This tailored approach helps leadership teams develop alignment in vision and the necessary skills and strategies to drive institutional success.

Our Unique Approach

Strategic Imperative Alignment

We facilitate in-depth discussions to identify and prioritize key strategic imperatives, employing proven methodologies to build consensus and a shared vision among all stakeholders. This increases alignment on the institution's critical priorities, creating a strong foundation for future actions.

Readiness and Competency Assessment

Our comprehensive evaluations of board and presidential capabilities provide objective insights into the institution's readiness to tackle strategic challenges. We identify strengths, gaps, and areas for development, allowing for targeted improvement efforts.

Customized Roadmap Development

Based on the strategic imperatives and assessment results, we create tailored action plans with clear, achievable milestones and timelines. These roadmaps include strategies for ongoing monitoring and adjustment, to enhance long-term success.

What Sets Us Apart

Decades of Experience

Our team brings extensive higher education leadership experience, providing insights that can only be gained through years of hands-on involvement in the sector. This deep understanding allows us to offer nuanced, practical advice tailored to each institution's unique context.

Comprehensive Understanding

We possess a profound grasp of board dynamics and presidential responsibilities, enabling us to navigate complex institutional relationships effectively. Our holistic and thorough approach addresses organizational effectiveness in governance, leadership, and institutional culture.

Proven Track Record

Our history of successful institutional transformations speaks to the effectiveness of our methods. We have helped numerous institutions overcome challenges and achieve their strategic goals, resulting in improved performance and enhanced reputations.

Data-Informed Solutions

Our commitment to data-informed and results-oriented solutions grounds all recommendations and strategies in objective analysis. This approach leads to more effective decision-making and measurable outcomes for our clients.

Our Comprehensive Process

Initial Consultation

We begin with an in-depth discussion of your institution's unique challenges and aspirations. This preliminary assessment of board-president dynamics allows us to develop a tailored proposal that addresses your specific needs.

Strategic Alignment Workshop

Through facilitated sessions, we guide stakeholders in identifying and prioritizing strategic imperatives. Consensus-building exercises ensure all voices are heard, resulting in a documented set of agreed-upon priorities.

Comprehensive Assessment

We conduct thorough board and presidential competency evaluations, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and analysis of institutional data. This multi-faceted approach provides a clear picture of current capabilities and areas for improvement.

Roadmap Development

Collaboratively, we create action plans with key performance indicators, implementation timelines, and milestones. This roadmap serves as a guide for achieving strategic goals and measuring progress.

Implementation Support

Our engagement continues with regular check-ins, progress evaluations, and ongoing coaching. We provide support in adjusting strategies as needed, ensuring long-term success and sustainability.

Benefits of Our Services

We aim to provide the following benefits to higher education institutions:

Fostering a more cohesive leadership team through enhanced board-president collaboration and trust.
Focused resource allocation through clarity on institutional priorities and direction.
Improved decision-making processes, leading to more effective governance.
Increased confidence in addressing current and future challenges.
Measurable progress towards strategic goals.
Strengthened institutional reputation and performance, to attract top talent and resources.

These benefits collectively contribute to a more robust, adaptable, and successful institution, better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern higher education.

For more information, contact:

Robert (Skip) Myers, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant, Board Effectiveness
Casagrande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness
remyers@viterbo.edu

David J. Bauer, Ph.D.
Director
Casagrande Institute for Higher Education Effectiveness
djbauer@viterbo.edu