For Governing Boards & Presidents
Higher Education Governance and Presidential Transitions
Supporting Governing Boards and the Presidents They Appoint
A presidential appointment begins a relationship whose effectiveness shapes the institution’s future. Clear expectations, sound governance, and an informed transition help boards and presidents establish trust and move institutional priorities forward.
HOPE360 partners with university and college governing boards, incoming presidents, and executive leadership teams to strengthen that relationship.
WHAT WE BRING
Executive coaching · Applied psychology · Organizational assessment · Firsthand university presidential experience
01. Board Effectiveness and Governance Advising
Effective governance requires clarity about responsibilities, constructive dialogue, and a shared understanding of institutional priorities.
We help boards examine how they make decisions, assess leadership, and work with the president.
THE OUTCOME
Agreed priorities and practical steps for strengthening governance.
ENGAGEMENTS MAY INCLUDE
- Governance assessments and facilitated board retreats
- Trustee orientation and continuing development
- Clarification of board, chair, and presidential responsibilities
- Examination of assumptions and biases that influence deliberation
- Alignment of presidential expectations, evaluation criteria, and institutional strategy
02. Presidential Onboarding and First Year Support
An incoming president must learn the institution while becoming responsible for its direction. Formal orientation alone cannot address every relationship, expectation, or cultural challenge.
HOPE360 provides confidential coaching and structured transition support beginning before arrival and continuing through the first year.
"Our approach begins with diagnosis: understanding the institution before deciding what must change."
TOGETHER, WE DEVELOP
- A stakeholder listening and relationship plan
- A first 100 days agenda informed by institutional conditions
- Clear working agreements with the board chair
- Priorities for executive team alignment and development
- A first year framework for progress reviews and adjustment
03. Board and President Alignment
Boards and presidents benefit from explicit agreement about what success requires and how they will work together. We facilitate conversations about institutional priorities, decision authority, communication, and performance expectations. We also support boards and presidents when leadership transitions, conflicting expectations, or institutional pressures require renewed alignment.
JOINT WORK
Establishes shared agreements between the board and the president.
INDIVIDUAL COACHING
Provides space for confidential reflection, with confidentiality and reporting boundaries defined at the outset.
Experience That Informs The Work
Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II
Twice-appointed interim university president · Business school dean · Global corporate executive · Psychologist · Certified executive coach
His work combines an understanding of institutional leadership with attention to how people think, communicate, and make decisions.
HOPE360’s broader team contributes executive human resources, organizational development, succession planning, and coaching expertise.
Who We Partner With
Governing Boards
University and college trustees, board chairs and committees
Incoming Presidents
From appointment through the first year
Executive Leadership Teams
Aligning around the president’s priorities