Fiscal resiliency in higher education: strategic integrations to achieve institutional sustainability and student success

This blog summarizes the key takeaways from our fiscal resiliency podcast, episode six.

As college and university leaders navigate strategies to support student success while achieving their mission and goals, the idea of completing an institution- or system-wide integration can seem overwhelming. Planning and implementing a transformative combination or integration of any size, with any organization, is a large undertaking. With that in mind, it is important to learn from industry peers that have previously gone down this path to enhancing student outcomes and supporting fiscal resiliency.

Our recent Higher Ed Advisor fiscal resiliency podcast features Shelley Nickel, who served as the interim president of Georgia Southern University as they executed a major consolidation with Armstrong State University, in a discussion with Baker Tilly higher education specialists. They are currently consulting on other institutional integrations and in the podcast, Gaining fiscal resiliency through strategic integrations and creative combinations, they share insights on how to effectively implement a strategic combination across multiple universities.

Strategic integrations: Start with data and a diverse team

When making a decision to combine institutions (or even departments or programs), support the decisions with data. Executives and board members who seek this kind of large transformation will be asked why – from every direction. Stakeholders asking “why” likely have not seen data that demonstrates the need for change, like drops in enrollment or rising costs, and how such factors are impacting the institution. Integration champions must be prepared to share relevant data (and to communicate what it means). Through analysis and a clear case for change with supporting data, those reluctant to support the combination will better understand the expected student and institution benefits of integration.

Include key stakeholders in integration planning to collaborate on desired outcomes and further develop the strategic vision behind the combination. Be sure to involve the “big thinkers” who are deeply invested in the success of students, faculty and staff. These key leaders need to be receptive to unique ideas, think outside-the-box and be open to doing whatever it takes to achieve the best outcomes.