Higher Ed Advisor: Minnesota State System’s shared services model supports fiscal resiliency by improving processes, efficiencies and service

Welcome to Higher Ed Advisor, the Baker Tilly podcast series where we speak with higher education industry leaders about practical and proactive guidance to help colleges and universities protect and enhance their value.

This podcast is the tenth episode in our fiscal resiliency series for higher education institutions.

Taking advantage of streamlining processes makes good fiscal sense, and Eric Davis, vice chancellor of human resources at the University of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State), recognizes this as he continues to lead the implementation of a shared services model at his growing institution. In our tenth fiscal resiliency podcast series, Eric discusses how a shared services model offers Minnesota State opportunities to improve student service, boost efficiency, create greater consistency in work practices and reduce costs in an evolving environment due to many changes caused by the pandemic.

Listen to Eric and our higher education fiscal resiliency specialists as they discuss adopting a shared services model and its impact as a:

• Change agent supporting transformation from being transaction facilitators to creating strategic business partner relationships across campus
• COVID-19 mitigation strategy and response guide to other disruptions
• Leverage tool for talent management and recruitment in higher education
• Strength in capturing and using data more efficiently to drive decisions and manage costs
• Sound investment in fiscal resiliency

Plus, listen to how Eric and his teams overcame challenges throughout this journey and their secrets to achieving success, paving the way for other higher education institutions that may be considering a shared services operation.

Meet this episode’s guest speakers:

• Eric Davis, Vice Chancellor of Human Resource, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities – As vice chancellor of human resources since 2019, Eric has more than two decades of progressive experience in human resources management and has held director and executive positions at Minnesota State College and Universities.
• Carla Hirsch, Manager, Risk Advisory Practice, Baker Tilly