The Tie That Binds: Trusteeship, Values, and the Decision-Making Process at AME-Affiliated HBCUs

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to discover how trust is established during the decision-making processes of boards of trustees at private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This study also aimed to address if and how board composition and individual board members’ value systems play a role in the decision-making process and work of the board. Using a multisite case-study approach, currently serving board members of 3 African Methodist Episcopal church-affiliated HBCUs were interviewed regarding the way in which they engaged with the presidential selection process at their institution. Major findings from this study were that personality and character traits of presidential candidates may have a heavier influence on the perception of candidates’ suitability than their resume or past performance. Furthermore, there was a direct reflection of board members’ values in the personality and network traits found desirable and nondesirable in presidential candidates. These shared values create a sense of trust between board members and candidates, which in turn affects which candidates do and do not have a viable chance of attaining the presidency. These findings have implications on board member selection and training at HBCUs, and they provide insight into the role of culture in governance practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Black colleges
• board of trustees
• governance
• HBCUs
• leadership

Notes

¹ In this manuscript the word values will be defined as “a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.”

² To protect the anonymity of the participant institutions and board members, pseudonyms have been assigned.

³ The AME Church considers itself a “connectional” organization, meaning that each local church is part of a larger connection. This description also explains how church members “connect” across the international organization (http://www.ame-church.com/our-church/our-structure).

⁴ The words “trustee” and “board member” will be used interchangeably throughout this document to refer to members of institutional boards of trustees.