In this episode of the In Trust Center’s Good Governance Podcast, host Matt Hufman talks with Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center, and the Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., Governance Initiative project director and founder and president of Windermere Consulting, about new research examining how governing boards and advisory bodies contribute to theological school effectiveness. Drawing on data from 71% of ATS-accredited schools, the findings challenge some conventional wisdom and emphasize the importance of clearly defined roles.
For embedded schools, the research shows that advisory bodies focused primarily on fundraising are positively associated with institutional effectiveness, while some close ties to university governing boards are negatively correlated. Kardash and Rowe also discuss the value of larger advisory bodies and fresh perspectives, suggesting that effective groups benefit from clear purpose, some independence, and regular membership renewal.
