91: Governance — AGB President Rick Legon on Breaking Norms to Build Great Boards

In part two of our series on governance, we turn to Rick Legon. In his role as president of the Association of Governing Boards, Legon has worked with institutions around the world, helping to strengthen board relationships and further the dialog for change.

The challenge lies in creating a shared dialog, according to Legon. “Cultural norms exist to keep stakeholders in their place. We can’t continue that way, but the behavior is entrenched."

This week on the show, Howard Teibel and Rick Legon discuss the challenges in fostering strong board leadership to help institutions face their collective crises ahead. 

90: Governance — Leadership, Strategy, & Creativity at the Top

Howard Teibel

The forces impacting higher education add complexity to a carefully balanced system of leadership in our institutions. Unique issues face boards, administrators, and faculty, and finding alignment between them is key in demonstrating progress toward strategic goals.

Today we begin a series exploring governance in higher education from the perspective of leaders across the institution. In a series of conversations with trustees, presidents, faculty and beyond, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright host a dialog around authority, accountability, and responsibility for leadership. 

This week, we set the stage for our conversations to come and introduce the big questions we’ll attempt to answer as we take on governance—leadership, strategy, and creativity at the top.

See our complete Governance series.

89: Datapoints — Learning to Love your Institutional Research with Loyola's Terra Schehr

Do you know your institutional research team? If not, you should. This question of data, and how we use it most appropriately and effectively is becoming an ever-increasing tool in driving change. But what comes with data is complexity. 

Today on the show, we welcome Terra Schehr, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at Loyola University Maryland. Terra shares her experience leading the IR team in demonstrating and serving the institution through data. Terra is being asked to collect and report new kinds of data — and reflects on some of her practices in benchmarking and longitudinal data around lifelong student experience. It’s a fascinating conversation on an incredibly powerful set of tools in service of institutional growth and change.

88: President George Martin on Investing in Our Future at St. Edward’s University

Dr. George Martin has served as president of St. Edward’s University for over 15 years. In his tenure there, he has become an expert navigator of the waters of institutional change. This year, under Dr. Martin's leadership, the university has launched an administrative review designed to capitalize on the university’s successes, and prepare it to face the challenging landscape of higher education before us all. 

This week on Navigating Change, Dr. Martin shares his experience in cultivating top-down and bottom-up decision making that positively engages the entire university community. He outlines is rationale behind embarking on such an audacious change project now, and what success will mean to the finance office — and the culture — of St. Edward’s in the future. 

Links & Notes

• Learn more about Dr. Martin, and read his welcome letter to the St. Edward’s community

Photo Credit: "Moon over St. Edward's" by Stuart Seeger

86: AGB President Rick Legon on Board Leadership, Adaptability in the Face of Tectonic Change in Higher Ed

The 2015 National Conference on Trusteeship from the Association of Governing Boards is coming up April 19-21 in Phoenix and this year’s event promises a rich line-up of leaders and board members tackling the biggest issues facing higher ed institutions around the world. Howard Teibel is on the docket  this year, joining the list of facilitators for the Leadership Institute for Board Leaders and Executives the day before the main session, April 18. 

We’re thrilled to welcome AGB President Rick Legon to the show this week. Rick has served as AGB President since 2006. This week, he shares his keen insights in the challenges facing board leadership in today’s institutions, and how the Conference on Trusteeship serves to align leaders to face them. How do we maintain an affordable education while ensuring the highest quality? How do we address the glass ceiling of tuition revenue in supporting the institution? How do we adapt to the changing relationship between state and federal regulation and the education experience? This is a wide-ranging conversation that dives into the fundamental question: how do we frame the board’s role as one critical piece of the institutional leadership puzzle?

85: Loki's Wager — Building Trust through Difficult Negotiations

In Norse mythology, Loki was the trickster. In one of his particularly sticky exploits, he wagered his head with a group of dwarves and lost, creating a wonderful metaphor describing the complexities of difficult negotiations for us today known as “Loki’s Wager.” 

Seemingly impassable problems are common in the boardroom. But in most cases, such challenges stem from weak trust and a poor culture around handling conflict. Astute leaders know that the great benefit of team work is leveraging different perspectives toward big problems. To do so requires reframing the intractable, and moving beyond Loki’s most frustrating wager. 

This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright discuss Loki’s Wager, and share insight that can help to adjust our natural assumptions around conflict, trust, and the ground rules required for an effective problem-solving and decision-making engine at the negotiating table. 

Photo Credit: Inspired by Escher by Morgan Paul

84: Year in Review: 4 Big Trends to Watch in Higher Ed 2015

Howard Teibel

Holiday breaks are coming to a close and students are heading back to classes as we celebrate one more trip around the sun. This week on Navigating Change, we take on four key trends bound to influence your decision making in 2015 as we reflect on the year gone by. In doing so, we’re setting the stage for our own conversation for year to come around institutional responsibility for external mandates, the role of academic performance measurement in data driven decision making, continued consolidations and shared services, and the leader's role in positively engaging the workforce in the face of great change. 

Photo credit: Chris Schroeer-Heiermann
Faculty of Theatre and Dance — ArtEZ, Arnhem, Holland

82: UMass Lowell Provost Ahmed Abdelal on Building Collaboration from Competition in Academic Leadership

Over the last year, we’ve returned to the topic of administrative and academic collaboration a number of times. Our lesson: successful change projects are the result of academic leaders and administrative leaders working in concert with one another. 

This week we welcome Dr. Ahmed Abdelal, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at UMass Lowell. His work provides a framework for the structure and culture that makes for a collaborative leadership model that transcends competition and gridlock. 

This week on the show, Provost Abdelal joins Howard Teibel and Pete Wright to reflect on his philosophy around academic leadership and his successes in working toward respectful and reciprocal leadership across the institution.

About Ahmed Abdelal

As Provost, Ahmed Abdelal serves as the chief academic officer, overseeing long-term planning, curriculum, instruction, research, outreach and assessment, libraries and academic services. In his role, he is also a member of the Chancellor's Executive Cabinet. Prior to joining UMass Lowell, Abdelal served as Provost of Northeastern University ('02-'08), and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Georgia State University ('92 -'02). 

Notes & Links

• Provost Abdelal references the UMass Lowell 2020 Report Card. You can find the 2014 report here.

Photo: Terageorge

81: Exceptional Group Decision-Making

Howard Teibel

Creating a culture adept at group decision making is one of the great leadership challenges. It requires alignment in the face of personal stakes on the team, political motivations, individual belief systems and ego. It requires individual contributors to have a keen ability to listen, and an even deeper ability to dig into a key question that is almost never asked, but may be the most important question for team processing: Why are we doing this? This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel illuminates the decision making process for teams, shares his own  insights for making difficult decisions, and creating teams that do the same.

80: How the Struggle for Perfection can Stifle the Team

Howard Teibel

For those who live with it, perfectionism can be a powerful tool for creating great work, or a blunt force impeding forward motion. In either case, we often refer to perfectionist traits as profoundly personal, a set of behaviors that impacts us, but that we confidently stow away when teams are involved. The truth: the team is an organism made of individuals. And as individuals, we bring all our behaviors with us. It is the collection of individual traits that determines the identity of the teams in which we work. 

This week on the show, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright unravel the nature of perfectionism on teams. From our common understanding of team norms to how this drive toward perfection can hinder the discovery of key insights that can live in the gap between awareness and action. 

79: How do you Transition from Sage to Guide?

Howard Teibel

As leaders, it’s critical that we engage change on our campuses with enthusiasm, curiosity, and courage. Our teams are counting it, as are our extended constituencies — students, parents, and our community at large. In our efforts to engage with enthusiasm, our first and most important challenge is to embrace our own ignorance. 

This week on the show, Howard Teibel and Pete Wright discuss the key tenets of process consultation, and offer guidance for asking tough questions of our own assumptions in our work to drive change in our institutions.

Links & Notes

• Navigating Change 75: Building Outstanding Consulting Partnerships

78: Regional Leaders on Regional Challenges in Higher Ed — Live from EACUBO 2014

This week on Navigating Change we’re coming to you once again from the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Speakers at the conference have been taking on some of the most challenging issues facing chief business officers in higher education. This week, we’re joined by all four regional CUBO presidents for a conversation on the challenges they’re facing in their regions. From dropping high school populations to a changing demographic landscape to dramatically declining state subsidies, each region is working hard to ensure their members are prepared to face tomorrow’s challenges today.

Our Guests
Regional Presidents, Associations of College and University Business Officers

Michael Gower, EACUBO

Senior Vice President, Finance & Tresurer

Rutgers University 

Harold Hewitt, WACUBO

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Chapman University 

Mary Lou Merkt, SACUBO

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Furman University 

Kathy Qualls, CACUBO

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Finance & Administrative Affairs

University of Cincinnati 

77: Strategic Leadership at EACUBO 2014 with Marta Perez Drake and Lynne Schaefer

This week on Navigating Change we’re coming to you from the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Speakers at the conference have been taking on some of the most challenging issues facing chief business officers in higher education. We’re kicking off our EACUBO series with two people who serve as leaders in the effort to prepare CBOs for the demands of tomorrow’s institutions. 

Marta Perez Drake, Vice President for Professional Development — NACUBO

Lynne Schaefer, Vice President for Administration — University of Maryland Baltimore County

Lynne Schaefer is vice president for finance and administration at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and currently serves as EACUBO vice chair. Marta Perez Drake serves as vice president for professional development for NACUBO. This week on the show, Lynne and Marta join Howard Teibel and Pete Wright to share their work in developing CBOs as strategic leaders prepared for broader challenges beyond the typical expectations of the office.

Our special thanks to all who turned out to join us at this special live event in Orlando, and to the EACUBO team that helped to make this happen!

About Lynne C. Schaefer

Lynn Schaefer has served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 2005. In her role as chief business officer at UMBC, she is responsible for financial management, budget, reporting and control for annual operations exceeding $390 million. She also provides leadership for facilities planning, construction and operations, human resources, environmental safety and health, dining services, the bookstore, campus police, and general business services. Ms. Schaefer previously served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and as Budget Director and Vice President for Administrative Services at Wayne State University in Detroit. Ms. Schaefer began her career in state government in Michigan, and worked in the Governor’s Office, Departments of Management and Budget and Treasury, and as President of the Michigan Education Trust. She holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Wayne State University, and a B.A. from Michigan State University.

Marta Perez Drake, NACUBO

Marta Perez Drake has served as vice president for professional development of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) since 2010. Prior to assuming this position, Perez Drake served NACUBO for six years as Director of Constituent Programs. Before joining NACUBO, Perez Drake worked at Duke University, Georgetown University and three higher education associations: the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE). Perez Drake has served on several boards in the higher education, K-12, and non-profit sectors. She received her bachelor's degree from Duke University and master’s degree from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. 

76: Strategic Leadership and Big Change at Loyola Part 3 — VP of Administration Terry Sawyer

Terrence Sawyer, J.D., Vice President of Administration — Loyola University Maryland

This week on Navigating Change we conclude our three-part series in which we share the administrative and academic review from the inside out. Our final guest is Terry Sawyer, Vice President of Administration at Loyola University Maryland, and it was under his guidance as co-chair of the "New Way Of Proceeding" committee that deep investigation into institutional operations occurred. Terry’s role in senior administration, in partnership with his colleague and faculty co-chair Steve Fowl, put him in an ideal position to support challenging initiatives and difficult solutions across the institution.

This week, Terry shares his insights on the academic and administrative review from the administrative perspective, and how we were able to form a partnership to deliver both financial and cultural benefits to Loyola Maryland.

About Terrence Sawyer, J.D.

Terrence Sawyer became vice president for administration in 2004 after six years as special assistant to the president for government and community relations and trustee affairs. Prior to joining Loyola, Sawyer served as a director at the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. A 1992 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, Sawyer earned his juris doctor from Widener University in 1995. Sawyer currently leads the University's government and community relations offices, and oversees trustee affairs and the departments of public safety, environmental health and safety, transportation and parking, and human resources. Sawyer also serves as an affiliate faculty member in the department of law and social responsibility. 

75: Building Outstanding Consulting Partnerships

Howard Teibel

When navigating complex change initiatives, there may come a time when your team will face the challenge of calling on outside support for expertise, guidance, and potentially even leadership as you cruise uncertain institutional waters. How do you engage the right support, at the right time, in the right capacity? 

This week on Navigating Change, Howard Teibel shares his experience in building outstanding relationships with external consultants as a consultant himself. From setting clear boundaries for communication, to taking on key strategic responsibilities, Howard’s insights offer a keen view into what makes a consultative partnership valuable in achieving the strategic goals of the institution.

74: The Academic’s View in the Administrative Review at Loyola Maryland Part 2 — Professor Steve Fowl

This week on Navigating Change we continue our three-part series in which we share the administrative and academic review from the inside out. Our second guest is professor Steve Fowl of Loyola University Maryland, and it was under his guidance as co-chair of the "New Way Of Proceeding" committee that deep investigation into institutional operations occurred. Steve’s role as chair of the faculty senate at the time made him the perfect representative in the review process.

This week, Steve shares his insights on the academic and administrative review from the faculty perspective, and how we were able to form a partnership to deliver both financial and cultural benefits to Loyola Maryland.

About Stephen Fowl

Stephen Fowl is professor of theology at Loyola College in Maryland. He holds the Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield (England). He has written several books including Reading in Communion (with L. Gregory Jones), Engaging Scripture and a forthcoming commentary on Philippians. He has edited several volumes including The Theological Interpretation of Scripture. He has written widely on topics in New Testament, ethics and theology. Fowl is an Episcopal layperson. 

73: Gail Gregory on Strategic Communication at CACUBO Annual Meeting

The Central Association of College and University Business Officer’s Annual Meeting is coming up fast — October 5-7, Kansas City will play host to central region change leaders and business officers addressing the crossroads of higher education. 

Gail Gregory will be on-site at the conference delivering her presentation, “Communicating Financial Information Effectively.” This week on the show, Gail joins Pete Wright to share her perspective on strategic communication and the evolving role and responsibility of the business officer, with a great review of the big events coming up this weekend. Listen in! 

72: The Administrative and Academic Review at Loyola Maryland Part 1 — CFO Randy Gentzler

Randall D. Gentzler, Vice President of Finance — Loyola University Maryland

This week on Navigating Change we begin a three-part series to share the administrative and academic review from the inside out. Our first guest is Vice President of Finance of Loyola University Maryland Randy Gentzler, and it was under his guidance that the project ensured its focus not only on ideas for change consistent with mission but also ones that would have a positive financial impact.  

As the chief business officer, Randy describes the project from its inception to deal with the short-term operating budget as well as defining a new model of financial success. Randy and Howard share their experience working as true partners in this project and offer key learnings for getting the most out of this unique relationship.

About Randall D. Gentzler

Randall Gentzler joined Loyola University Maryland in May 2011 and serves as the University’s chief financial and investment officer. He provides senior leadership and direction to the major operating divisions of financial services, technology services, and facilities and campus services. He joined Loyola from Philadelphia University where he held the position of vice president for finance and administration/treasurer since 1995. He received his MBA from Philadelphia University; his B.S. in Accounting from Elizabethtown College; and attended Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management (IEM). 

71: UNE's Nicole Trufant on Communicating for Clarity at EACUBO 2014

There are two fundamental considerations when communicating complex information from the business office. First, do you have the right data for your audience. Second, are you communicating that data using the right tools. Our special guest Nicole Trufant has been polishing her communications practice from the business office as Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at University of New England  Next month, Nicole will join Howard Teibel on stage at the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting in Orlando as presenting, “Communicating Strategically to Make and Impact.”

This week on the show, Nicole joins Howard and Pete Wright to discuss how the role and responsibility of the business officer has changed in the last decade, and shares insights into her daily work to support her president, administration, faculty, students and parents across the institution. 

Join the Teibel Team at the EACUBO 2014 Annual Meeting! We'll be recording live at the Cheers Reception on Monday evening, October 20. Come by and join the conversation, share your insights with Howard and Pete, and have a few well-earned laughs at the end of a long day of learning!

About Nicole L. Labbe-Trufant

Nicole Trufant serves as the Vice President for Fiscal Affairs at the University of New England (UNE).  UNE was named as the 9th fastest Master's growing institution in the country by the Chronicle of Higher Education.  Nicole leads all functional areas of finance and general accounting, resource planning and budget, human resources, legal affairs, student financial services and information technology services. Nicole is a CPA.  She holds a BS in Accounting and BA in Sociology from the University of Southern Maine, an MSM in Management from New England College and is a graduate of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education Institute of Executive Management.