Morris Brown College’s board removed President Kevin James effective immediately, citing no specific cause, as the HBCU prepares for an accreditation‑reaffirmation review. James said the termination came after positive evaluations and warned the timing jeopardizes the college’s near‑term stability. The board named trustee Nzinga Shaw interim president. Separately, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln chancellor left abruptly six months before his contract ended and received a $1.1 million exit package, prompting faculty outrage over program cuts and governance decisions. Both departures highlight intensifying trustee activity, rapid leadership turnover, and the reputational and operational risk that sudden executive exits create for campuses. For boards and presidents, the episodes underline the need for clear transition plans, transparent communication with accrediting bodies, and preservation of institutional operations during leadership gaps. Why it matters: leadership instability can imperil accreditation reviews, federal aid access, fundraising and faculty morale—practical governance risks trustees must manage proactively.