NEWS IN BRIEF March 2026

ARTICLE

Presidential Searches in a New Era: How Boards Can Succeed in a Complex Environment

Presidential searches in higher education are increasingly shaped by external pressures, resource challenges, and heightened scrutiny of institutional leadership. Drs. Rod McDavis and Melissa Trotta share strategies that Boards of Trustees can employ - from mitigating external influences to developing a comprehensive transition plan - to execute a well-run, successful search and set the new leader up for success.

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY

Secure a Consultation with Executive Search Experts at the AGB Board Professionals Conference & National Conference on Trusteeship

March 26-30, 2026; Denver, CO

Members of the AGB Search team will be available for private, one-on-one consultations to answer your questions about executive search and leadership development. Our executive search experts will offer strategic guidance on topics such as navigating challenging searches, maximizing interim leadership, cultivating emerging leaders, and more. Once you register, we’ll reach out to schedule a specific date and time to meet with the expert most suited to your topic.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Cohort 7 Completes AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance

Congratulations to Cohort 7 of the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance in Higher Education. This group of 24 higher education leaders from institutions across the country recently completed the six-month program in which they defined and articulated their individual theories of leadership, engaged deeply in the opportunities and challenges facing today’s presidents, and cultivated a close-knit cohort network. We congratulate Cohort 7 on this accomplishment and wish them continued success!

Interim Leaders Minimize Disruption and Maintain Progress

A recent Deloitte report suggests that institutions are increasingly appointing interim presidents for multi-year terms. The practice affords institutions the opportunity to benefit from an experienced leader to provide stability, while they develop and implement strategic or corrective action plans; it also allows the Board ample time to conduct a full presidential search. 

AGB Search assists institutions in finding interim presidents and other senior leaders by tapping into our network of carefully vetted and highly qualified candidates.

AGB UPDATE

Stay informed. Stay ahead. 

AGB’s Saturday Summary delivers five essential higher education news headlines each week along with quick context on why they matter for governing boards and institutional leadership. It’s a smart, efficient way to stay current on the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping the future of higher education. Subscribe to receive it every Saturday morning.

Executive Search | Interim Search | Executive Coaching | ExecComp |

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