USC Rossier Academy Header

School Board Member Academy in Partnership with University of Southern California

The NSBA-USC Rossier Academy for Excellence in Board Governance will bolster support for school board leadership by grounding participants in the core responsibilities of effective governance—setting vision and strategy, ensuring fiscal stewardship, evaluating superintendent performance, and navigating complex political and policy landscapes. Board members will examine real problems of practice and sharpen their decision-making through research-informed sessions, case studies, and interactive breakout activities. They will learn from national experts, leading scholars, accomplished practitioners, NSBA leaders, and USC faculty. Topics span governance fundamentals, budgeting and fiduciary responsibilities, federal and emerging legal issues, community engagement, ethical leadership, and partnerships with higher education. Executive coaching is available for participants seeking individualized support as they translate academy learning into stronger board performance.

Enroll Today

Course Details

Class Dates:

  • April 23 – 26, 2026

This session is in person at University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA.


Cost:

  • $4,950.00

Curriculum:

This academy is designed to help school board members continue to become a better board member. National experts and leaders with proven results and strategies will be guest lecturers throughout the program.

CEU credits available

Keynote Speaker

Pedro Noguera, Ph.D Photo

Pedro Antonio Noguera, Ph.D.
Dean, Rosser School of Education
University of Southern California

Pedro Noguera is one of the nation’s leading scholars on issues related to race, inequality, and education. Since 2020, he has served as the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California (USC). Previously, he served as a professor of education and holder of endowed chairs at UCLA, NYU, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley. A sociologist, education researcher, and former public school teacher, Noguera is the author of 15 books, including the award-winning A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Tough Questions and Complex Issues Confronting K-12 Education in the United States Today, written with Rick Hess and published in 2021.

Read More

Agenda (as of Dec. 10, 2025)

5 – 7 p.m. Reception

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Keynote Address
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Research on Board Governance
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. – Noon Effective Governance Practices
Noon – 1 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1 – 4:30 p.m. Continuation of Effective Governance Practices & Breakout Activity
4:30 – 5 p.m. Closing Remarks

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – Noon Budget
Noon – 1 p.m. Buffet Lunch
1 – 2:30 p.m. Navigating the Political Aspects of Their Roles
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Federal Policies
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Engagement of ALL Community Members
4:45 – 5 p.m. Closing Remarks
5 – 7 p.m. Reception

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Full Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Emerging Legal/Policy Issues
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Building Partnership with Higher Education, 2-year and 4-year Institutions, and Philanthropy
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 – Noon Ethical Leadership
Noon Closing Activity