Governance Workshop Schedule

Thursday,
January 29

9:00 AM– 10:15 AM | "FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY" AS FAITHFULNESS TO MISSION

In today’s world, most Boards of Trustees think of “fiduciary responsibility” as primarily a matter of attending to budgets and fiscal sustainability of the institutions. In fact, the most important task of “faithfulness” for our CCCU Boards is tending to the uniqueness of our value proposition. In a world that would seek to make higher education—even Christian higher education--primarily about matters of individual and national economics, we want to explore together the distinctives of the God-Given treasure of Christian higher education that our Boards have been charged with stewarding. All too often, Mission is taken for granted in the face of the urgency of financial pressures. It is this urgent and persistent attention to Mission that requires the greatest vigilance and imagination, and that will, in the end, determine the long-term effectiveness of Christian higher education for God’s Kingdom. Shirley Mullen will lead this session, which will feature opportunities for interaction and offer practical implications for the work of our Boards.

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM | BREAK  

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | GOVERNANCE IN PRACTICE: KEY ISSUES EVERY BOARD MEMBER SHOULD UNDERSTAND  

This interactive governance workshop is designed specifically for board members of Christian colleges and universities, equipping them to navigate the complex challenges facing faith-based institutions today. The session will feature three focused presentations:

  • Advocacy & Legal Landscape – Joy Mosley will help board members understand the current legal and public policy challenges impacting Christian higher education, including threats to religious liberty and how boards can proactively support institutional mission and compliance.

  • Academic Challenges & Cultural Pressures – Ron Mahurin will explore how shifts in academic culture, curriculum expectations, and campus climate are affecting Christian institutions—and what board members need to know to support academic integrity and mission alignment.

  • Financial Health & Oversight – Dan Campbell and Rachel McMichael from Capin Crouse will help board members gain practical tools for financial oversight, including how to read an audit and balance sheet, identify red flags, and evaluate key indicators of financial health to ensure wise stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Whether you’re a new trustee or a veteran board leader, this session will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways to strengthen your board’s role in guiding your institution through today’s challenges with confidence and clarity   

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | BUFFET LUNCH AND ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | LEADING TOGETHER: BUILDING A STRONG BOARD-PRESIDENT PARTNERSHIP

A healthy, mission-driven institution depends on a strong, collaborative relationship between the board and the president. In this session, board members will explore key areas essential to an effective partnership, including, clarifying roles and expectations, strengthening communication and trust, and supporting and evaluating presidential leadership. In addition, we will discuss the board’s role in ensuring the well-being and spiritual health of the president, recognizing that leadership in Christian higher education can be uniquely demanding. Board members will engage with practical strategies for fostering a trusting, effective, and faith-centered partnership with their college president. Speakers are Ron Mahurin, experienced Christian higher education leader and Senior Design Consultant with Design Group International and Michael Martin, President and CEO of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | BREAK

3:00 PM – 4:45 PM | BEYOND CRISIS: LEADING PROACTIVELY THROUGH CULTURAL FLASHPOINTS

In today’s polarized climate, Christian colleges and universities are increasingly confronted with high-stakes “hot topics”—from political and social tensions to internal debates over theology, identity, and institutional values. Too often, institutions are forced into a reactive posture, responding only after a crisis has emerged.

In this timely session, Christian college presidents Deana Porterfield and Brad Johnson and David Brooks, an experienced board member at Baylor will share insights from the front lines of leadership. Together, they’ll explore how to create space for intentional, mission-centered dialogue before issues escalate, and how to lead your institution through difficult conversations with clarity and conviction. Topics will include institutional self-assessment, stakeholder engagement, and strategies for addressing controversy in ways that strengthen rather than compromise your mission.

This session will equip board members and executive leaders with practical tools to move beyond crisis management—and toward proactive, redemptive leadership in a complex cultural moment.