Better Governance

Stronger Boards. Stronger Presidents. Stronger Institutions.

Effective governance begins with a strong, productive relationship between the president and the governing board. Better Governance, an Elevate Academic Answers LLC program, helps presidents and trustees build the trust, clarity, communication, accountability, and shared understanding necessary to lead their institutions effectively.

Every institution is different, so Better Governance is customized around the needs of the president, board, and institution. EAA provides an independent and meaningful space for conversations about expectations, institutional priorities, governance responsibilities, presidential leadership, board effectiveness, and the challenges and opportunities facing the institution.

Better Governance is not a one-time retreat. It can serve as an ongoing governance partnership throughout the year, providing structured opportunities for the president and board to assess progress, address concerns early, establish measurable goals, and remain aligned around the institution's mission and strategic direction.

Whether the institution is welcoming a new president, strengthening an established partnership, or working to restore alignment after a difficult period, EAA helps presidents and boards move forward with greater clarity, accountability, and purpose.

Better Governance Is a Relationship, Not an Event

A retreat can begin an important conversation, but effective governance requires continued attention. EAA can remain engaged throughout a presidential transition and beyond through scheduled check-ins, facilitated conversations, annual goal setting, presidential and board evaluations, and ongoing advisory support.

Our goal is to help presidents and boards develop governance relationships that are clear in responsibility, candid in communication, accountable in performance, and united around institutional success.

Presidential Transition & Onboarding

A presidential appointment marks the beginning of a new leadership relationship—not the end of the search process. EAA helps governing boards and newly appointed presidents intentionally build that relationship from the start.

Our Presidential Transition & Onboarding Support brings the president and board together to establish expectations, clarify governance and leadership responsibilities, identify institutional priorities, establish communication practices, and define what a successful first year should look like.

Transition support may include a Board–President Transition Retreat, first 100-Day Plan, first-year presidential goals, board-chair/president communication plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, scheduled transition check-ins, and preparation for the president's first performance evaluation.

Whether the president was selected through a national search, promoted from within, or transitioned from an interim appointment, EAA helps the board and president move intentionally from appointment to alignment to action. A successful search identifies the leader. Better Governance helps the president and board succeed together.

 

 Sitting Presidential Support &       Board Alignment

Strong president-board relationships require ongoing attention. EAA provides support not only when a president is beginning a new appointment, but also when change, challenge, or an unexpected event has caused the president and governing board to fall out of alignment.

Financial pressures, enrollment challenges, accreditation concerns, changes in board membership, institutional restructuring, and difficult personnel decisions. 

Public controversy, unmet expectations, communication breakdowns, or differences over strategic direction can place even well-established governance relationships under strain.

Through Better Governance, EAA serves as an independent facilitator to help presidents and boards address concerns constructively, clarify expectations, restore productive communication, revisit roles and responsibilities, establish shared priorities, and determine a path forward. The purpose is not to take sides, but to help both the president and board remain focused on their respective responsibilities and the best interests of the institution.

Support may include confidential conversations with the president and board leadership, facilitated phone or virtual conferences, board-president alignment sessions, customized retreats, goal setting, governance assessments, presidential evaluation, board self-evaluation, communication protocols, and structured follow-up.

Better Governance helps institutions build strong relationships—and strengthen them when tested.

To enroll in the Better Governance services or ask a question, fill out the form below.

Better Governance Services

  • President–Board Relationship Development
  • Presidential Transition & Onboarding
  • New President Transition Retreats
  • First 100-Day Presidential Planning
  • First-Year Presidential Goal Setting
  • Board Chair–President Alignment
  • Sitting President Support
  • Board Retreats & Strategic Planning Sessions
  • Facilitated Phone & Virtual Conferences
  • Governance Roles & Responsibilities
  • Presidential Performance Evaluation
  • Board Self-Evaluation & Effectiveness Assessment
  • Board Chair Development
  • New Trustee Orientation & Onboarding
  • Strategic Priority Alignment
  • Board Communication & Decision-Making
  • Governance Policy Review
  • Board Development & Continuing Education
  • Conflict & Relationship Facilitation
  • Customized Governance Workshops
  • Annual Governance Planning
  • Ongoing President & Board Advisory Support