History of CSIG
The Center for Strategic and Inclusive Governance (CSIG) emerged from a persistent observation at the nexus of higher education governance and the urgent pursuit of equity. Its roots stretch back to a pivotal academic conference where Dr. Demetri Morgan and Dr. Felecia Commodore first connected with Dr. Raquel Rall. This initial meeting sparked a sustained and fruitful collaboration, leading to an extensive body of work – dozens of book chapters, empirical articles, and opinion editorials – and countless presentations at conferences, institutions, and organizations across the U.S. This rich background in both research and practice consistently brought Rall and Morgan to a singular, profound realization: the often-underestimated, yet utterly central, role of higher education governing boards.
Time and again, in countless conversations and scholarly endeavors, a critical disconnect became apparent–discussions about advancing equity rarely extended to the board room, and dialogues on effective institutional leadership and decision-making frequently overlooked the imperative of equity. It became unequivocally clear that without the intentional inclusion and informed engagement of board members, truly mission-centric governance – governance that genuinely integrates an institution’s stated values with its strategic direction – was simply not possible.
This void ignited the genesis of CSIG. Our aspiration was to establish a vital starting point, a comprehensive and, crucially, open-access repository where board members could readily find key information and resources. We understood, as many postsecondary leaders articulated, that trustees often lack deep expertise in higher education and are eager for foundational resources that can provide a jumping-off point for their governance work, which they can then personalize for their specific institutional contexts. The absence of a centralized, open-access resource for boards was a glaring gap we felt compelled to fill.
As we began to share this vision with colleagues, potential funders, our advisory board, and a broader network, the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The consistent feedback underscored the profound necessity and timeliness of CSIG’s work. They, like us, recognize that while establishing CSIG is a significant step – a “drop in the bucket” for now – it is a vital beginning towards empowering higher education governing boards to strategically advance and protect mission-critical and inclusive practices at the heart of their institutions, now and into the future.