The Change Leader
We Are a Higher Education Consulting Firm with a Holistic Approach to Strategy, Implementation, and Transformational Change Management
The Change Leader consulting firm focuses solely on helping leadership at higher education institutions create and implement strategies for long-term success, including navigating accreditation, governance, mergers, and change management.
Keeping pace with change is challenging — and the impending enrollment cliff, FAFSA fallout, and shifting Title IV regulations have greatly accelerated the pace of change for colleges and universities. We’re here to help your board, faculty, staff, students, and entire institution thrive in any situation.
We focus on systems working in sync, not silos. Let’s get your higher ed institution on the path of high-performing growth and sustainability.
We’re not just about theory; we’re about actionable insights and proven results. Search our site to dive deeper into our blogs, podcasts, webinars, and consulting pages to find practical strategies based on real-world implementation. Get inspired by how others have tackled similar challenges and how we can help unlock the potential of your institution.
The Change Leader's Consulting Services
The Change Leader’s experts help college and university presidents, boards, and executive leaders overcome their most critical challenges to grow enrollment, improve accreditation standing, mitigate risk, and build financially sustainable educational institutions.
We provide innovative solutions with the additional benefits of international, cross-industry experience to help you overcome your most complex issues.
ACCREDITATION
Validate your institution's excellence by gaining & keeping accreditation
BOARD GOVERNANCE
Strengthen board oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and presidential alignment
SHARED GOVERNANCE
Clarify faculty, administration, and board roles in institutional decision-making.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Planning & management to position your institution for greater success & growth
RISK MANAGEMENT
Overcome challenges by positioning your institution with a plan for success
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Defy the 80% failure rate & implement critical changes without resistance to change
MERGERS & ALLIANCES
Produce higher enrollment & profitability while creating greater efficiencies & strength
ACADEMIC REALIGNMENT
Cut overhead, boost funding, break silos, and modernize workforce readiness.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Drives progress, improves governance, builds financial stability, and retains talent.
The Change Leader's Approach to Improving Higher Education Institutions
Holistic Thinking is Key to Your Success
Our approach for our clients is to remove barriers to success, build collaboration, and ensure institutional communication and systems align, which results in a shared vision and business model that can be implemented with little resistance to change.
In other words, we approach things holistically with a systemic view of your institution.
Your students, faculty, employees, and board deserve nothing less than a consulting firm that takes all stakeholders into account for decision-making, processes, and transformation.
Our Latest Industry Insights for Higher Education Leaders
What Our Clients Say
“Dr. McNaughton is a sought-after consultant to management in the areas of board governance, academic operations and accreditation, strategy and change, and organizational transformation and leadership….Dr. McNaughton brings professionalism, congeniality and collegiality to his relationships, and intellectual and emotional intelligence to his leadership activities. I recommend Dr. Drumm McNaughton for appropriate board and consulting roles – he is a difference maker.”
Dr. Bill Reed
Board Chair, LIGS University
“The Board raved today about their experience with you. Thank you for inspiring them and providing focused perspective. I look forward to future collaboration.”
Kahler Schuemann, Ph.D.
Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Western Michigan University
“During our recent accreditation special visit, our institution received six commendations and one recommendation, that being “we recommend you keep doing what you’re doing. . . . Accordingly, we strongly recommend Dr. McNaughton’s services to any institution who is in need of accreditation, governance, strategic planning, or personnel management expertise.”
John Stead, PhD
Interim CEO and SVP, The Master's University and Seminary
PHONE: (760) 740-0200
EMAIL: inquiry@changinghighered.com
ADDRESS: 693 Black Hawk Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122