Challenges to Governance Facing US Higher Education

Tuesday, March 11, 2014
12noon - 1:30pm
768 Evans Hall (map)
Jane Wellman
Consultant in Higher Education and Public Policy, currently serving as Executive Director, AGB National Commission on College and University Board Governance
Changes among students, in technology, and in the financing of higher education in the United States are putting great pressure on traditional approaches to decision making and governance in most institutions.  This seminar will explore the nature of the governance challenge facing higher education in both public and p rivate nonprofit institutions, and ways that the traditions of shared governance are being challenged in all sectors.  Examples of some of the most problematic aspects of governance will be discussed.  Options for changes and even improvements will be explored, with a particular emphasis on ways to improve the functionality of public sector governing boards.

BIOGRAPHY

Jane Wellman is an independent consultant specializing in public policy and postsecondary education in the United States. She is an expert in state and federal policy for higher education, with particular expertise in changing finances, cost analysis and cost management, institutional governance and change management. She currently serves as Executive Director of the National Commission on Postsecondary Board Governance for the Association of Governing Boards, and also consults with the National Association of System Heads and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. She is a public member of the WASC senior college regional accrediting commission, and a lecturer in the University of Pennsylvania’s executive doctoral program. She has previously served as the Executive Director of the National Association of System Heads, the founding director of the Delta Cost Project, the Vice President for Public Policy for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Deputy Director of the California Postsecondary Education Commission, and Chief of Staff to the California Ways and Means Committee. She started her career at the University of California Office of the President, and received BA and MA degrees from UC Berkeley.