Practical support for university governance
Training & consulting
Cheryl provides a range of support and services to help improve the effectiveness of your university’s governance.
Discuss your governance needs01 · Support for leaders
Leadership support & coaching
For university presidents and senior leaders, board and senate chairs, and governance professionals.
Cheryl has advised and supported presidents/CEO’s and Board Chairs for over 20 years. She works with university presidents and senior leaders, board and senate chairs, and governance professionals to assist them individually in navigating governance challenges and to improve their governance skills and address governance challenges at their institutions.
Cheryl offers ad hoc advice as well as an annual advising retainer which includes twelve hours of coaching/advising on governance matters. This can be structured to best accommodate the client’s individual schedule and interests. This retainer is particularly helpful to new leaders and those facing specific governance challenges.
02 · Advice & perspective
Consulting services
Cheryl provides a full range of services and supports to university clients. Here are some of the situations in which Cheryl’s clients have sought advice and support:
Governance review
To review all or part of the university’s governance system (Board and Senate, Board alone, Senate alone, or other components) and identify opportunities for greater effectiveness with a focus on practical and workable recommendations.
Board effectiveness
To improve board effectiveness, relationships, and/or engagement.
Major decisions
To ensure that the board meets its obligations in a specific situation e.g. the organization is looking to undertake a large transaction (partner with another organization, acquire a piece of property, build a new building) and wants to understand the governance impact and role of the board.
Difficult periods & crises
During a difficult period such as organizational restructuring, termination of the employment of the President or CEO, conflict with a stakeholder or partner, litigation, or other organizational crisis.
Organizational strategy
Change in organizational direction or strategy.
Board mentorship
To mentor board members.
Examples of the work
Governance reviews
University of British Columbia
Vancouver Senate review, March 2024.
Read the Senate review PDFUniversity of Prince Edward Island
An external review of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Board governance.
Read about the UPEI governance reviewDalhousie University
It is a best practice for universities to review their governance practices. I was pleased to work with my project partner Dr. Julia Eastman to conduct a comprehensive review of Dalhousie’s governance. This review arose from its most recent strategic planning exercise. Dalhousie is to be commended for recognizing the importance of effective governance to the realization of strategic goals.
Read the governance review PDF
03 · Build board capability
Training, education & assessment
An effective way to improve board functioning is through training and education sessions. Cheryl will work with your governance professional to design a training program to respond to specific concerns.
Examples of training sessions offered include University Governance 101, University Governance and Your Governance Model, Board Effectiveness, Senate Effectiveness, Maximizing Institutional Autonomy, A practical approach to fiduciary duty, Asking Good Questions and many more.
Reflect & improve
Board assessment
One of the best things a board can do is reflect on its own performance, discuss it, and set goals to improve it. Cheryl will design a self-assessment tool, administer it, and deliver a session in which the board will discuss the results. Ideally, this assessment process will be repeated at regular intervals (annually or every two years), and will result in a list of goals and steps to be taken to address performance concerns – these goals and plans to address them become your board’s governance improvement plan.
Clarify roles & responsibilities
Policy framework and policy development
Cheryl can help you develop a policy framework for the university. She can help you develop current and effective board, academic and administrative policies addressing the full range of policy topics universities must address.
Governance training
Professional development
Cheryl is currently engaged with both the University of Manitoba and with the Canadian Association of University Business Officers to offer governance training opportunities.
Governance in Canadian Universities
Cheryl designed and delivered for three years the Governance in Canadian Universities senate approved credential targeted at those working in governance in universities through the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD). Cheryl is no longer the lead instructor but still teaches components of the program.
Explore the CHERD programCAUBO workshop
Cheryl participates annually in a Canadian Association of University Business Officers program targeted at senior administrators who are new to the sector or new in their roles. Spend a half-day with Cheryl learning about how administrators can best support their presidents and successfully navigate the complexities of university governance.
Explore the CAUBO workshopWorking together
Working with you
As a board or board governance professional, you play a vital role in ensuring that your organization fulfils its role and mandate. The role of a board is a challenging one and the task of taking on a leadership role in a board can be daunting. Fulfilling these roles is crucial to the success of your organization. Having worked with boards for over 20 years, Cheryl is passionate about the role the board plays and about helping boards improve their effectiveness. Cheryl looks forward to working with you.
Rates
We understand that university budgets are constrained. As such Cheryl’s rates are discounted for universities. Programs are offered on a discounted fixed price basis. Please contact Cheryl to discuss your consulting needs and budget.
Talk through your needs & budgetLet’s talk
Contact Cheryl to discuss your governance questions.
The book
An Introduction to University Governance
This book introduces you to the aspects of university governance that are unique. It’s a book intended to help you learn about the sector more quickly so that you can contribute more fully and feel more engaged.
About the Book