Are students learning what they need to know to thrive in the 21st century? Boards can answer that question positively by ensuring that students are engaged in the kind of activities that encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and other important skills. In this article, the author discusses why student engagement matters and describes the features of student engagement. Engagement increases the odds that any student--educational and social background notwithstanding--will attain his or her educational and personal objectives, acquire the skills and competencies demanded by the challenges of the 21st century, and enjoy the intellectual and economic advantages that come with earning a degree. Allocating time to reviewing engagement data, and the student and institutional behaviors associated with them, sends a strong message to the senior leadership and others on campus that enhancing the quality of the student experience is a continuing board priority. To encourage their institution to value and use student-engagement data productively, the author offers key steps that governing boards can take to help students succeed. (Contains 2 online resources.)