Board Training
A State Priority
While many board members bring expertise from their respective fields, most are not familiar with the intricacies of state higher education systems and university operations. Required training helps board members approach their roles with greater confidence, better understand state and national issues affecting Kentucky higher education, and avoid decisions that could negatively impact their institutions.
In 2016, Kentucky’s legislature directed the Council to “develop in cooperation with each public university and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System a comprehensive orientation and education program for new members of the council and the governing boards” (KRS 164.020, Section 25).
This training requirement applies to all newly appointed or elected board members of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), public universities, and KCTCS, and must be completed within the first year of appointment. The statute also requires that CPE provide continuing education opportunities for all board members actively serving their terms.
New Board Member Education and Orientation Program
All newly appointed or elected board members of the Council, public universities and KCTCS must complete a minimum of six hours of orientation and training within their first year of appointment.
The Council and the appointed institution share in this responsibility of providing orientation to new board members. State-level training provides high-level overviews of CPE, higher education governance, and the role of a trustee. Campus-level training focuses more specifically on institutional information needed to carry out duties. Both trainings will touch on legal issues such as open meeting and open record laws, and both must be completed within one year of appointment or election.
The state-level training is offered through an eLearning platform in two courses that are accessible on your desktop, tablet, and phone.
- State-level Course 1: Postsecondary Education Governance in Kentucky & Effective Board Leadership - This course discusses the structure of postsecondary education in Kentucky and provides an overview of effective board leadership.
- State-level Course 2: Statewide Strategic Agenda for Kentucky Postsecondary Education - This course gives an in-depth look at CPE’s strategic agenda, Higher Education Matters, A Statewide Strategic Agenda for Kentucky and Postsecondary Education and goals for higher education in Kentucky.
When accessing the site, create your own log-in credentials using your email or your Facebook, LinkedIn or Google credentials. If at any time you need to leave the course, the program will document your progress and allow you to pick back up where you left off. Progress and completion are tracked by your individual login and then reported to CPE staff.
Continuing Education Opportunities
- Postsecondary Education Trusteeship Conference - The Council hosts a biannual Postsecondary Education Trusteeship Conference in the fall. The event is a key opportunity to hear from higher education experts on a variety of relevant topics. It also provides ample opportunity to network with regents, trustees and institutional leaders from the other campuses, as well as the state and nation's educational stakeholders. Access past event agendas and resources here.
- Webinars and Policy Briefs - The Council conducts and releases research that is important for trustees, regents, and higher education leaders. In addition to CPE's online data portal, board members are encouraged to review the numerous publications available and sign up for related special events.
Guiding CPE Policies
- New Board Member Orientation and Training Policy
- New Board Member Orientation and Training Form: Approval of Campus Programs
Guiding Legislation
To access other legislation about Kentucky's postsecondary education boards, visit LRC's postsecondary webpage.
For information about campus board appointments, roles and responsibilities, view the following legislation:
- Boards of directors for community colleges and community and technical colleges - KRS 164.600
- Boards of Regents of Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State, Western Kentucky, Kentucky State, and Northern Kentucky Universities, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System - KRS 164.321
- Board of Trustees of University of Kentucky - KRS 164.131
- Board of Trustees of University of Louisville - KRS 164.821
Those with questions about board training should contact Heather Faesy.
Last Updated: 6/12/2025