"The AGB 2017 Trustee Index" is the first in a series of three annual surveys, conducted by Gallup under the direction of AGB, to assess trustee perspectives on the state of higher education. This year's report reveals a number of interesting findings: the centrality of the liberal arts, the lack of trustee involvement in influencing public policy, and the need for trustees to lead innovation in their fiduciary roles as institutional leaders. We believe these rich data will be an important component of our larger Guardians Initiative.