Southern New Hampshire University’s board selected Lisa Marsh Ryerson as president following Paul LeBlanc’s departure and extended her contract through 2030, with a leadership-transition approach built around early listening to students, faculty, and staff. The interview emphasizes how institutional relationships and stakeholder engagement helped avoid disruption. In a separate governance moment, George Mason University’s Board of Visitors extended President Gregory Washington’s contract through June 2031 after the Trump administration’s investigations into alleged unlawful DEI policies. The board praised Washington’s performance amid “turbulent times,” while his conflict with regulators remained a central backdrop. Together, the coverage highlights how boards are managing the intersection of compliance scrutiny, leadership continuity, and stakeholder confidence—often while enrollment and fundraising are simultaneously being managed. For higher education professionals, these cases provide concrete examples of how governing boards use contract extensions and transition planning to preserve institutional stability amid external political and legal pressure.