Across the United States, college and university boards of trustees have been making headlines this March, enacting significant changes that will shape the future of their institutions. From transformative construction projects and leadership appointments to staffing realignments and administrative investigations, these developments highlight the pivotal role boards play in steering the direction of higher education.
At Pomona College in California, trustees have set the stage for what many are calling a new era in global education. On March 6, 2026, the Pomona College Board of Trustees formally approved the construction of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), a 100,000-square-foot facility designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and immersive learning. According to the college’s official statement, the $125 million project will house 200 students and serve as a hub for academic, meeting, and conferencing spaces, as well as a forum dining hall and event space. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2026, following the demolition of the Oldenborg Center during the summer, with the CGE tentatively set to open in fall 2028.
President G. Gabrielle Starr described the project with palpable enthusiasm, stating, “The Center for Global Engagement is not just a project. It is key to Pomona’s path forward—our opportunity to imagine what a 21st century liberal arts college can be, and to build the structures that make that possible.” The vision for the CGE is rooted in Pomona’s longstanding commitment to global education, dating back to its early study-abroad programs in the 1920s and the opening of the Oldenborg Center in 1966. Board Chair Janet Benton emphasized, “The Center for Global Engagement will harness this potential, providing a home base for scholarship and hands-on learning that helps address issues facing all of humanity.”
Pomona’s new center will not only expand capacity for international students—who already make up 14% of the student body, hailing from 65 countries—but will also support a wide range of programs. These include Global Gateways, shorter-term faculty-led study-away courses, and interactive seminars with global experts. Kara Godwin, assistant vice president and chief global officer, explained, “The phrase ‘global engagement’ is deliberate. It signals a move away from thinking that is bound by geography or academic major to focus on the problems we want to solve and the skills we want to develop.”
The CGE project was greenlit after the college successfully raised $50 million toward its cost, a threshold set by the Board in 2022. Vice President for Advancement Maria Watson noted, “The success of the Center for Global Engagement is inherently tied to the generosity of our Sagehen community. Philanthropy has always driven bold ideas at Pomona, and this project is no exception.”
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, Tougaloo College’s Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Corey Wiggins as the institution’s 15th president, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Wiggins, a Mississippi native and the current federal co-chair of the Delta Regional Authority, will succeed Dr. Donzell Lee. Board Chair Blondean Y. Davis lauded the appointment, saying, “He is a visionary leader whose commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional integrity aligns deeply with the historic mission of Tougaloo College.”
Dr. Wiggins brings a wealth of experience in public health and academic leadership, having served as executive director of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP and holding faculty appointments at several universities. He holds degrees from Alcorn State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and has completed fellowships with renowned organizations such as the Kaiser Family Foundation and MIT. In his statement, Wiggins called the appointment “an honor,” adding, “I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the broader Tougaloo community to advance the College’s mission and strengthen its future.”
The reaction from alumni has been overwhelmingly positive. Dr. Ro’chelle D. Williams, a 2014 graduate and active alumni association member, remarked, “I think this appointment is historic for the institution, given that we are 156 years old and we have a story of service and leadership. I think Corey will help to propel the story forward and strengthen the institution.” Williams highlighted Wiggins’ deep understanding of Mississippi’s landscape as a key asset in broadening Tougaloo’s regional and national presence.
Tougaloo College, founded in 1869 as a private historically Black liberal arts institution, has enjoyed recent financial growth. Its endowment grew from $6.7 million in 2018 to $23 million in 2025, fueled by donor engagement and significant grants, including an $8 million award from the National Institutes of Health in October 2024. Among Wiggins’ early priorities will be advancing a capital campaign to raise an additional $5 million in matching funds for a new Biomedical Research and Training Center.
Elsewhere, the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees has addressed operational needs by approving several updates affecting its buildings and grounds staff. On March 14, 2026, the board voted to replace a 30-hour technician position with a 40-hour role aligned with Carpenter’s Union standards. Robert Meyer was approved for employment as a Buildings and Grounds Technician, pending reference and background checks. The board also approved base salary increases for four technicians, in accordance with union agreements, to better align staffing levels and compensation with operational needs and labor standards. Officials at Kaskaskia College emphasized that these changes are designed to ensure the college remains competitive and meets the evolving demands of campus maintenance.
Finally, in Michigan, Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is grappling with administrative challenges as Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, a member of the GRCC Board of Trustees, was placed on administrative leave from her Deputy Superintendent position with Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This marks the second time Mitchell has been placed on leave since starting her role in August 2022; the first occurred in 2024 during an investigation into claims of disrespectful behavior. Luke Stier, Director of Communications for GRPS, confirmed the news but did not provide additional details regarding the decision.
Mitchell previously served as Chairperson of the GRCC Board of Trustees from February 2024 until December 2026, with Salvador Lopez newly appointed to the chair seat thereafter. At this time, no clear decision has been made about whether Mitchell will resume her role as deputy superintendent following the ongoing investigation. Neither Mitchell nor GRPS Superintendent Leadriane Roby could be reached for comment.
As these stories unfold, one thing is clear: the decisions made by college and university boards reverberate far beyond boardrooms, affecting students, faculty, staff, and the broader communities these institutions serve. Whether it’s building for the future, appointing visionary leaders, ensuring fair labor practices, or navigating complex personnel matters, trustees continue to shape the trajectory of American higher education in profound ways.
With each new appointment, initiative, and challenge, these boards remind us that the future of higher education is being written now—one decision at a time.