THE CHANGE LEADER

Category: Mergers and Alliances

A diverse team sitting at a conference table discussing University Mergers as a Strategic Option for Struggling Institutions | The Change Leader Consulting

University Mergers as a Strategic Option for Struggling Institutions:

The business reality of applying M&A rigor to higher education in a buyer's market

In this strategic analysis, Dr. Drumm McNaughton explores university mergers as a viable growth strategy for institutions facing enrollment pressures and financial constraints.

Rather than treating mergers as emergency measures, this article positions them as strategic opportunities for both expanding institutions and those seeking sustainable partnerships in a market experiencing demographic shifts.

What this article covers:

✓ Market Positioning: How institutions can leverage current conditions for strategic advantage through mergers and acquisitions.

✓ Growth Strategy: When inorganic growth through acquisition delivers better returns than organic expansion.

✓ Partnership Readiness: Practical steps for institutions to prepare for strategic alliances, from financial positioning to cultural alignment.

✓ Acquisition Evaluation: Key criteria for identifying merger partners that complement institutional strengths and goals.

✓ Integration Success: Real-world approaches to post-merger integration beyond standard checklists.

June 19, 2025 June 27, 2026
Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges - Changing Higher Ed podcast 263 featuring Drumm McNaughton and Jason Duggan

Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 263 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Jason Duggan

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jason Duggan, CEO of Thesis Elements, a cloud-based student information system purpose-built for small to mid-size institutions. The conversation explores how small colleges are evaluating shared services and consolidation strategies to improve operational efficiency, manage costs, and support institutional sustainability—while maintaining mission alignment and student outcomes.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Shared Services Insights: How small colleges are using shared services to reduce administrative costs and access specialized talent.

✓ Consolidation Options: Strategic approaches to institutional consolidation and how they can support enrollment and operational goals.

✓ Academic Partnerships: How academic resource-sharing is helping expand student offerings while managing instructional expenses.

✓ Financial Strategies: Innovative financial and academic approaches that support institutional resilience.

✓

June 10, 2025 June 27, 2026
The Growing Trend of Higher Ed Mergers-upward trendline showing higher education institution puzzle pieces that represent mergers

The Growing Trend of Higher Ed Mergers—Lessons from the Field:

Lessons and strategies from successful mergers to help leaders plan, align, and lead through change

The latest article from Dr. Drumm McNaughton explores the growing trend of higher education mergers and consolidations, offering practical guidance for leaders considering this strategy. Drawing from recent successful examples—including the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)—this article outlines how institutions can approach mergers with intentional planning to pave the way for a successful and sustainable future.

What you’ll gain from reading this article:

✓ Strategic Restructuring: Why more institutions are turning to mergers as a path forward

✓ Stakeholder Engagement: How to involve faculty, students, communities, and legislators

✓ Mission Alignment: Strategies to preserve identity, values, and public trust

✓ Regulatory Compliance: Proactive steps to meet accreditation and state requirements

✓ Post-Merger Integration: How to streamline operations and maintain service quality

✓ Communication Discipline: Tips for transparency and

May 15, 2025 June 27, 2026
Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from the Colleges of Law and TCS Education System-Changing Higher Ed podcast 258 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Matt Nehmer

Strategic Affiliation in Higher Education: What Colleges Can Learn from The Colleges of Law and TCS Education System:

Changing Higher Ed podcast 258 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Matt Nehmer

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Matt Nehmer, President of The Colleges of Law, about how the institution approached strategic affiliation to support sustainability while maintaining its mission and identity. Nehmer explains how the Colleges of Law joined The Community Solutions (TCS) Education System and what other institutional leaders should know when evaluating similar options.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

✓ What strategic affiliation is and how it differs from mergers or acquisitions

✓ How a dual-board governance model can preserve institutional autonomy

✓ Which shared services the institution accessed through the system affiliation

✓ How the affiliation aligned with accreditation expectations and requirements

✓ How legal structuring was used to protect institutional assets during transition

✓ Examples of academic collaboration enabled

May 6, 2025 June 27, 2026
Are University Mergers the future of institutional sustainability?

Are University Mergers the Future of Institutional Sustainability?:

Examining the Benefits, Challenges, and Alternative Strategies in an Era of Higher Education Transformation

As higher education evolves into a mature and declining market, many are asking: Are university mergers the key to institutional sustainability? While some see mergers as the path forward, offering opportunities to combine resources and strengthen market position, others point to successful alternatives. My latest article examines this pressing question by looking at what’s driving merger discussions, what makes them succeed or fail, and other options institutions might consider.

Some of what’s covered in the article:

✓ Economic Factors: The key financial pressures pushing institutions toward merger considerations
✓ Merger Benefits: Potential advantages in resource sharing and program expansion
✓ Main Challenges: Common cultural and administrative hurdles in university mergers
✓ Case Examples: Brief looks at both successful and unsuccessful merger attempts
✓ Other Options: Alternative

February 6, 2025 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 239 - Consolidation in Higher Ed with Drumm McNaughton and guest Michael Horowitz | New Models for Consolidation in Higher Education

New Models for Consolidation in Higher Education:

Changing Higher Ed® podcast 239 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Michael Horowitz

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Michael Horowitz, Chancellor of The Community Solution Education System, discussing innovative models for higher education consolidation. The conversation explores a unique collaborative approach that offers an alternative to traditional mergers and acquisitions, highlighting strategies for resource optimization while preserving institutional identity.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Consolidation Innovation: Learn about The Community Solution model, a system-based approach that enables collaboration rather than competition among member institutions.

✓ Resource Optimization: Understand how integrating non-student-facing operations can lead to cost savings while maintaining academic quality.

✓ Identity Preservation: Discover strategies for maintaining individual institutional identities while benefiting from system-wide resources.

✓ Market Trends: Gain insights into current higher education market conditions and closure rates affecting

December 24, 2024 June 27, 2026
higher education board room with board members panicing over their institution's climbing debt and shrinking merger options

College Merger Strategy: The High Cost of Waiting Too Long:

When Timing a Higher Ed Merger, Procrastination and Hope Put Your Future at Risk

In our latest article, we examine why waiting to explore merger options is becoming an increasingly dangerous strategy for institutions facing enrollment and financial challenges. The article centers around the strategic timing of merger considerations, revealing insights about market dynamics, institutional leverage, and the narrowing window of opportunity for struggling colleges and universities.

What you’ll gain from reading this article:

✓ Strategic Reality: Understand how waiting until crisis the crisis point severely limits merger options

✓ Market Insights: Learn why strong institutions aren’t interested in acquiring colleges after a certain point

✓ Timing Perspectives: Discover how early merger exploration provides greater negotiating power

✓ Stakeholder Management: Strategies for proactive communication with faculty, students, and alumni

✓ Financial Positioning: Learn how to position your financial stability and value proposition

✓ Value

December 5, 2024 August 4, 2026
post-merger integration planning for successful university mergers The Change Leader | connecting two universities by bridge

Post-Merger Integration: Planning for Successful University Mergers:

Strategic Framework for Successful Integration: Aligning Vision, Operations, and Culture in Higher Education Mergers

Higher education institutions are facing mounting pressures from declining enrollment to increasing competition. As mergers become a more common strategy for sustainability and growth, we’re seeing presidents and boards focused on the challenges of post-merger integration. In this article, Drumm shares planning considerations for university leaders, from initial vision alignment through operational execution.

What you’ll find in this article:

✓ Integration Planning: Understanding the elements of a successful integration team and timeline

✓ Strategic Decisions: Evaluating autonomy levels and identity preservation

✓ Operations & Systems: Practical approaches to integrating technology, administrative functions, and academic support

✓ Cultural Considerations: Building cross-institutional collaboration while respecting traditions

✓ Regulatory Requirements: Planning for accreditation and agency approvals

✓ Stakeholder Engagement: Strategies for faculty, staff, and alumni communication

✓ Integration Success: Creating lasting value through

November 7, 2024 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 231 - Effective University Mergers & Lessons in Stability from PASSHE with Drumm McNaughton and Dan Greenstein

Effective University Mergers & Lessons in Stability from PASSHE:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 231 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Daniel Greenstein

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Dr. Daniel Greenstein, former Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), about his transformative efforts in higher education, including the integration of six smaller universities into two larger institutions to better serve students and communities.

What you’ll gain from listening to this podcast:

✓ Purpose-Driven Mergers: Gain insights on the importance of aligning mergers with student success and community needs, emphasizing financial stability as a natural result.

✓ Advanced Change Management: Understand the strategic role of change management in mergers, including effective planning, stakeholder engagement, and establishing governance and accountability.

✓ Regulatory Navigation Tips: Learn practical approaches for working with regulatory bodies like accreditors and the NCAA, ensuring smoother integration processes.

✓ Maintaining Brand Identity:

October 29, 2024 June 27, 2026
Changing Higher Ed Podcast 190 - Regulatory Changes and Their Implications for Higher Education Mergers with Drumm McNaughton and Mike Goldstein

Regulatory Changes and Their Implications for Higher Education Mergers:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 190 with Host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Guest Mike Goldstein

  In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, recent regulatory changes by the Department of Education, effective July 1st, have significantly redefined the processes for institutional mergers and acquisitions. These changes, emphasizing ownership and control, extend across all types of educational institutions – for-profit, nonprofit, and public. The new regulations introduce more comprehensive steps and extended timelines, adding complexity and burden to the merger process.   Implementation and Impact of July 1st Regulations The primary intent behind these regulations is to enhance accountability within higher education institutions, especially in managing federal student loan and grant programs. The goal is to safeguard students from the weight of unaffordable college debt, shifting the focus from targeting primarily for-profit higher education to a broader scope that includes all educational institutions.   Department’s Focus

January 16, 2024 December 11, 2025
Changing Higher Podcast 187- 2023 Higher Education Year in Review & 2024 Predictions

2023 Higher Education Year in Review and 2024 Predictions:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 187 with Host Deborah Maue and Guest Dr. Drumm McNaughton

  Join us in our 2023 Higher Education Year in Review and Predictions for 2024. In this sixth annual year-end podcast, Deborah Maue, Aurora University Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, takes the mic as our special host of the Changing Higher Ed podcast to interview Dr. Drumm McNaughton as they review (and grade) last year’s 2023 higher ed prognostications. The duo share their insights on 2023, discuss the unexpected developments, and what to prepare for with the higher education predictions for 2024.   Reviewing Dr. Drumm McNaughton’s Predictions for 2023 Continuing Decline in College Enrollment: A Closer Look at 2023’s Trends 2022 Prediction for 2023: College enrollment will continue to decline. Grade given by Deb Maue: A. In 2023, college enrollment continued its downward trajectory. Despite a contrasting

December 26, 2023 January 5, 2026
Success Strategies for Struggling Small to Medium Sized Colleges and Universities  – Changing Higher Ed Podcast 120 with Guest Rick Beyer

Success Strategies for Struggling Small to Medium-Sized Colleges and Universities:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast with Host Dr. Drumm McNaughton 120 with Guest Rick Beyer

In this episode of Changing Higher Ed podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Rick Beyer discuss innovative approaches and success strategies for struggling small to medium-sized colleges and universities.
Rick shares his perspective on the use of shared services in Higher Education, and how it can drive innovation and efficiency, both strategically and tactically to strengthen smaller schools while enabling them to remain independent.

September 13, 2022 April 7, 2026
TCS Education System's Secret Sauce for Growth and Sustainability

TCS Education System’s Secret Sauce for Growth and Sustainability:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 102 with Guest Dr. Michael Horowitz

In this podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Dr. Michael Horowitz discuss how TCS Education System’s forward-thinking approach to growth and sustainability has made a big impact on students, the community, and the medical education system.

With the recent addition of the Kansas Health Science Center (KHSC) and the related Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, TCS Education System now has five colleges and universities across the United States. These schools serve students across the United States who can participate in TCS’s offerings, many of which are online because of the system’s investment early on into technology. Additionally, TCS’s institutions do offer some options for in-person classes. This also meant that as these new additions come online, TCS already has serves some students in Kansas.

February 6, 2022 April 7, 2026
Stakeholders Are Shaping a New M&A Model for Higher Education

Stakeholders Are Shaping a New M&A Model for Higher Education at PASSHE:

Changing Higher Ed Podcast 100 with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Guest Dr. Dan Greenstein

A new M&A model for Higher Education has taken shape with the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) merger. PASSHE has 14 public universities, and most of its institutions teach to the undergrad and master’s level and are regional institutions. The system has one research institution.

These institutions primarily serve rural areas, which is an area that is changing, especially due to the growing inequality in the United States. As a result, the system has seen a 27% decline in enrollment over the past 11-12 years. It currently enrolls 89,000 degree-seeking students, which is a large drop from its previous high of 120,000 students.

December 17, 2021 November 5, 2023
Innovation in Mergers and Acquisitions With 3 Universities

Innovation in Mergers and Acquisitions With 3 Universities:

with host Dr. Drumm McNaughton and guest Dr. Danielle Wilken | Changing Higher Ed Podcast 086

Innovations in mergers and acquisitions took place when three universities’ plans took a scenic route through the process.  The 2020 plan to merge the University of Bridgeport with three institutions – Goodwin University, Sacred Heart University and Paier College of Art – was considered an innovative model. However, as the effort began to unfold, one of the partners had a change of heart, which caused this effort to go in an unexpected direction. Now, the University of Bridgeport, which was founded in 1927, has new life and is working closely with Goodwin University to create innovative programs that leverage both institutions’ strengths. Changing Course – Innovation in Mergers and Acquisitions In 2020, an announcement was made that Goodwin University and Sacred Heart University would acquire the majority of the University

July 21, 2021 July 24, 2021
Universities: 7 Reasons to be Thankful in 2020

Universities: 7 Reasons to be Thankful in 2020

Universities: 7 Reasons to be Thankful in 2020. The year 2020 has been one for the books. However, we’ve reached Thanksgiving—and that means it is the perfect time to flip the paradigm and focus on the good. This experiment that is known as the United States of America is not perfect; however, our nation is growing and every citizen shares the common goal of seeing our nation prosper (even though we may not agree on how to achieve that mark). So in honor of Thanksgiving, we want to suggest 7 different reasons (in no particular order) why we’re thankful for this year.

November 12, 2020 November 25, 2023
Creative Alliances Help Universities Thrive with Mark Scheinberg | Changing Higher Ed 055

Creative Alliances Help Universities Thrive:

with Dr. Drumm McNaughton and Mark Scheinberg | Changing Higher Ed Podcast 055

Creative partnerships and mergers and acquisitions are helping colleges and universities get out of financial crises while also serving students’ needs. One example of this type of partnership involves three higher education institutions — Goodwin University, Sacred Heart, and Paier College of Art—that are working with the University of Bridgeport to create a partnership.

August 26, 2020 April 7, 2026
How to Merge Two Universities | with Dr. Tony Allen | Changing Higher Ed Podcast 053

How to Merge Two Universities:

with Dr. Tony Allen | Changing Higher Ed Podcast 053

How to Merge Two Universities. Many higher ed institutions are struggling with finances due to COVID and other reasons, but few higher ed leaders are seriously contemplating a merger with or acquisition of or by another institution. These processes can be a win-win proposition, allowing for increased capacity, services, and efficiencies for students.

August 3, 2020 November 25, 2023

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