Dr. Chaffee serves as Interim President and CEO of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (2023-2024). She will return to her Senior Fellow role (2010-current) when her successor takes office in August.

Dr. Ellen Chaffee’s distinguished career spans institutional, system, policy, and national professional leadership in both public and private higher education, as well as extensive research and publication. Past president of two universities and two national professional associations, she has led executive, academic affairs, student affairs, research, and equal opportunity areas. She has served on and consulted with over 100 governing boards as well as national organizations in higher education research, accreditation, health care, allied health, and foundations.

Dr. Chaffee was President of Valley City State University for 15 years and served nine of those years simultaneously as President of Mayville State University. Throughout her career, Chaffee has focused on leadership and organizational effectiveness, governance, strategic thinking, organizational change, turnaround management, innovation, continuous quality improvement, accountability, decision-making, and the role of information and technology.