2026 Strategic Planning for Higher Education | The Change Leader | The outlook for higher education in 2026 and insights for presidents and boards to know before completing their planning for 2026 and beyond

2026 Higher Education Strategic Outlook: Converting 2025 Shocks into Executable Decisions:

Before your 2026 strategic plan is finalized, pressure-test the assumptions that no longer hold

In this post, Dr. Drumm McNaughton outlines the decisions and oversight questions presidents and boards should be focusing on as 2026 planning, budgeting, and governance cycles are underway. It is written to help leadership teams translate current conditions into clear priorities that protect execution and preserve institutional options in the

June 27, 2026

Board meeting at a higher education institution discussing Academic Realignment and Organizational Redesign for Stronger Programs

Academic Realignment and Organizational Redesign: Why Your Institution Can’t Afford to Wait:

Strategic transformation lessons from the field—and why most institutions are getting it wrong

Across campuses, leaders are confronting structures that no longer fit the way higher education works today. Academic models built for a different era are colliding with current realities, slowing the progress institutions urgently need to make.

In his latest article, Dr. Drumm McNaughton explains how aligning academic programs with organizational

June 27, 2026

Using AI for Higher Ed Board Governance: Improving the Trustee Experience While Protecting Fiduciary Responsibilities:

Exploring practical applications, security concerns, and the fundamental role of human oversight

In this latest blog post, Dr. Drumm McNaughton examines the practical applications of artificial intelligence in higher education board governance, exploring both the opportunities and implementation considerations that trustees need to consider when evaluating AI tools for their institutions.

The article addresses the growing matrix of board oversight responsibilities and

July 27, 2026

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

June 27, 2026

Agile Strategic Planning for Higher Education:

Building Adaptive Institutional Agility and Strategic Resilience in an Era of High Volatility

The Change Leader and Dr. Drumm McNaughton have published a new article that outlines an adaptive model of strategic planning to help higher education institutions lead through today’s volatile policy environment and operational uncertainty.

Traditional five- and ten-year plans no longer meet the demands facing colleges and universities. This article

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

June 27, 2026

Illustration showing effective change management in higher education with icons representing holistic thinking, strategic alignment, and stakeholder engagement in front of a university building.

Effective Change Management in Higher Education:

A Holistic Framework for Institutional Transformation — Addressing the Change Management Realities, Barriers, and Breakthroughs

Most change initiatives in higher education fail—not because of poor vision, but because implementation breaks down. In this new article, Dr. Drumm McNaughton outlines what works, what doesn’t, and how presidents and boards can lead more effectively through the complexity of college and university transformation.

The article covers:

✓ Why

June 27, 2026

How Lumina’s 2040 Vision Can Help Restore Public Confidence in Higher Education:

Creating Pathways to Rebuild America's Trust in Colleges and Universities

Public Trust in Higher Education is Declining—Can Lumina’s 2040 Goal Help Restore It?

A staggering one-third of Americans now report having no confidence in higher education. Once seen as a reliable path to opportunity, college is increasingly viewed as too expensive, out of touch, and misaligned with workforce needs.

June 27, 2026

Why Public Trust in Higher Ed Is Declining — And What Leaders Can Do About It- Addressing the crisis of confidence in higher education

Why Public Trust in Higher Ed Is Declining — And What Leaders Can Do About It:

Rebuilding Confidence in Higher Education: Addressing Challenges Through Transparency, Affordability, and Workforce Alignment

This article examines the declining confidence in U.S. higher education, drawing on recent survey data and institutional examples to explore how colleges and universities are responding to challenges in affordability, political perception, and workforce alignment.

What you’ll gain from this article:

✓ Public Sentiment: How trust in higher education has

June 27, 2026

Top 12 Challenges Facing Higher Ed in 2025—and the Exemplars Solving Them: A university board meeting with concerned board members discussing the challenges.

Top 12 Challenges Facing Higher Ed in 2025—and the Exemplars Solving Them:

An overview of the most urgent issues impacting higher education, with examples of how some institutions are beginning to respond.

The Greatest Challenges Facing Higher Education: A Comprehensive Analysis for 2025 with Exemplars in Navigating Solutions Higher education is no longer coasting—colleges and universities now face a defining moment. In the “go-go” days just 15 years ago, higher education had 21 million students (graduate and undergraduate) and 18.1 million undergraduates.

June 27, 2026

Presidential Evaluations: How Boards Strengthen Oversight

Presidential Evaluations: How University Boards Strengthen Oversight:

Structured evaluations strengthen governance, accountability, and institutional success

University presidents are responsible for leading institutions toward long-term success, but without structured evaluations, accountability suffers. While accrediting bodies mandate presidential reviews, many boards still rely on informal or verbal assessments, weakening governance and decision-making.

In his latest article, Drumm explores how university boards can implement structured presidential evaluations to

June 27, 2026

Board Independence in Higher Education Drives Better Governance | The Change Leader | A higher education board room with a diverse group of board members listening to the university president and board chair present proposed academic restructuring.

Board Independence in Higher Education Drives Better Governance:

How Independent Boards Strengthen Leadership, Decision-Making, Accountability, Oversight, and Institutional Sustainability

In his latest post, Dr. McNaughton examines why board independence is critical for institutional sustainability, particularly in today’s challenging higher education environment.

What you’ll gain from reading this post:

✓ Beyond Basic Duties: Why traditional fiduciary training often falls short of addressing key governance challenges.

✓ Presidential Oversight: How long-serving

June 27, 2026

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

June 27, 2026

Scaling online education with centralized operations for state university systems - Building Centralized, Scalable Online Models for Higher Education Financial Sustainability

Scaling Online Education for State University Systems:

Building Centralized, Scalable Online Models for Higher Education Financial Sustainability

In this strategic analysis, we examine an auspicious path forward for state university systems in scaling online education to meet evolving student needs and ensure institutional sustainability. The discussion centers around successful models of centralized online operations, drawing insights from institutions that have successfully grown their institutions and expanded student

June 27, 2026

Turning pages of a book with 2025 predictions for higher education and Higher ed 2024 year in review

Higher Ed 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Predictions:

A Year of Change and Challenges

The higher education landscape in 2024 has been marked by significant upheaval and transformation – some might say that it has been the most turbulent year in its history. We have seen political polarization, demographic challenges, and rapid technological advancements intersect, resulting in higher education institutions facing immense pressure to

June 27, 2026

Three pillars of strategic planning in higher education - Strategic Planning for sustainable growth, Alignment of strategy structure and process, Stakeholder Engagement with a collaborative vision and participation.

Three Pillars of Strategic Planning in Higher Education:

A Framework for Building Sustainable Institutions Through Holistic Planning, Alignment, and Stakeholder Engagement

In his latest article, Dr. Drumm McNaughton explores the three pillars of strategic planning in higher education for building institutional sustainability. The article centers around holistic strategic planning, alignment of strategies and structures, and stakeholder engagement – revealing practical insights about transforming institutions through continuous planning and data-driven decision making.

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

August 4, 2026

academic realignment frameworks higher education board or directors in a conference room discussing academic realignment frameworks for their institution

Three-Year College Degrees: A Strategic Response to Enrollment Challenges:

An Academic Realignment Framework for Modern Higher Education

In this comprehensive analysis, we examine how three-year college degrees and academic realignment can help institutions address enrollment challenges in higher education.

Article Overview:

✓ Analysis of why students and parents choose accelerated degree programs, and what this means for your institution’s future.

✓ Practical strategies for implementing three-year degrees

August 7, 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

June 27, 2026

Is Shared Governance Obsolete or Has it Just Gone Off the Rails-The Change Leader

Is Shared Governance Obsolete or Has It Simply Gone Off the Rails?:

Repairing and Updating Derailed Shared Governance for Effective Collaboration

Higher Education leadership is facing a dilemma in addressing the systemic dysfunctions within shared governance. We explore the challenges and solutions for revitalizing shared governance, offering actionable insights for presidents, boards, and leaders seeking to enhance institutional effectiveness.

We outline the necessity of redefining roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms

April 7, 2026

Strategic Adaptation of Higher Education - Navigating 2024 and Beyond - The Transformation of Higher Education by Tamara Taylor

Strategic Adaptation in Higher Education: Navigating 2024 and Beyond:

Embracing Transformation and Resilience in Higher Education Business Models

A Fundamental Rethink of the Higher Education Business Model In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, institutions must embrace educational innovation and strategic adaptation to change. This involves recognizing new realities in the academic world to stay relevant and effective. The landscape of higher education is being reshaped

June 10, 2026

Presidential Turnover Crisis in Higher Ed–Solutions and Challenges - The Change Leader

Presidential Turnover Crisis in Higher Ed–Solutions and Challenges:

The Role of Politics, Policies, Processes, Performance, and Public Relations

The role of politics, policies, processes, performance, and public relations on the Presidential turnover crisis in higher education.

October 25, 2024

Unlocking Potential in Higher Ed Enrollment and Student Success:

Navigating Financial Barriers, Support Systems, and Diversity

Higher education institutions need to address financial barriers, provide transparent information, enhance support systems, foster a sense of belonging, align with students’ values, and adapt to the changing needs of students to overcome enrollment and retention challenges.

December 11, 2024

Florida vs Department of Education: Background and Implications

Florida vs Department of Education: Implications and Background:

Redefining State Control in Higher Education

On June 21, 2023, the State of Florida filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, Florida vs Department of Education. The implications of this lawsuit can be far-reaching. This lawsuit has the potential to change how much influence state governments can have on both higher education accreditation and their

August 2, 2024

The Changing Perceptions of Higher Education - Perception is everything.

Addressing the Changing Perceptions of Higher Education:

The Challenges in Public Perception and Exploring Solutions to Ensure Sustainability

In this article, we will explore the shift in public opinion regarding higher education, its challenges, and what higher ed needs to do to turn this perception around and ensure its sustainability.

September 24, 2024

Improving Institutional Accreditation Transparency:

A Call for Change and the Need for Accountability

Why is accreditation transparency important? Accreditors serve as the gatekeepers for over $150 billion in financial aid. Institutional accreditation is the gold standard for higher education institutions in the US and globally. Indeed, without accreditation, most employers and other universities and colleges will not accept a degree from a graduate,

September 19, 2023

Navigating Institutional Accreditation: How to Get it and Keep it. Guidance for institutional accreditation in higher education. Stamp of approval.

Navigating Institutional Accreditation—How to Get it and Keep it:

Helping colleges and universities navigate the accreditation process successfully

A comprehensive overview of the institutional accreditation process, including the initial accreditation, reaffirmation, and sanctions, and offers insights and recommendations for institutions seeking to obtain and maintain their accreditation.

May 19, 2025

Improving Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation Rates:

Learning from the Arrupe College Strategic Enrollment Model

Higher education institutions need help improving enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Despite the pandemic “being over,” enrollments have not recovered to the pre-pandemic levels. Exacerbating this, higher ed is facing significant headwinds to recovering enrollments, including the demographic cliff, reduction of public funding, and a robust job market.

June 14, 2023

How Innovation and Shared Governance Influence Turnaround Success:

The National Louis University Story

Successfully reinventing a college or university into a truly innovative school after cutting a significant portion of programs sounds near impossible. However, the experiences at National Louis University (NLU), a four-campus private institution in Chicago, proved that presidents and other decision-makers can turn around an institution without having the complete

April 8, 2024

Embracing a New Model for Higher Ed Governance Part 5 - Building a Culture of Continuous Board Improvement and Accountability | The Change Leader

Embracing a New Model for Higher Ed Governance Part 5: Board Improvement:

Building a Culture of Continuous Board Improvement and Accountability

The fifth and last installment in our series explores how higher education can reflect the ever-changing landscape of society and industry to meet their expectations. At The Change Leader, we propose a culture of continuous board improvement and accountability as a way to avoid the detrimental impact of stagnant governance.

September 9, 2023

Embracing a New Model for Higher Ed Governance Part 4 | The Change Leader

Embracing a New Model for Higher Ed Governance Part 4:

How The Board and President Relationships Have Evolved

In the last of our Embracing a New Model for Higher Ed Governance series, we discuss how board roles continue to shift, even as higher education’s focus evolves with the rapidly changing environment. These shifts bring pressure on the board to embrace their responsibilities for oversight as well as the

November 12, 2024

Embracing a New Model for Higher Education Governance Part 3:

How New Board Roles Facilitate Institutional Transformation

In our series Embracing a New Model for Higher Education Governance, part 1 discussed raising the bar for college and university leaders. In part 2 we covered the updated board duties. Now we continue the series and discuss how new board roles can facilitate institutional transformation.

Higher education continues

September 9, 2023

Embracing a New Model for Higher Education Governance Part 2:

The Updated Board Duties

In this second post of our three-part series on the New Higher Education Governance Model, we discuss the updated board duties in higher ed and how boards can embrace their new roles and responsibilities as they work to meet the challenges facing colleges and universities today. As institutions continue to

May 22, 2024

Embracing a New Model for Higher Education Governance Part 1:

Raising the Bar for College and University Leaders

Our institutions of higher learning must begin embracing a new model for higher education governance and shared governance. As change continually buffets colleges and universities, higher education boards are increasingly finding themselves in the hot seat. Trustees are facing challenges such as the pandemic, the enrollment cliff, declining state funding,

April 7, 2026

Preparing Higher Ed for the Turnover Tsunami:

7 Key Decisions University Leaders Must Make Post-Pandemic

Higher education isn’t immune from the anticipated post-pandemic Turnover Tsunami. College and university leaders must prepare and plan for the way the pandemic changed the way of work—and now the labor force is rapidly making its feedback known about what will be required for them to remain at work. Will

April 7, 2026

How the Pandemic Changed Higher Ed:

Accelerated Transformation One Institution at a Time

Many higher education institutions are deep into planning for the fall term, and how the pandemic changed higher ed is coming into full view. The face of higher ed is changing – and the pandemic has dramatically accelerated these changes.

October 24, 2025

Strategic Management meeting with man and woman

Five Reasons to Throw Out Your Strategic Plan:

Strategic Management, Planning, and Disruptions in Higher Education

Strategic management and planning are critical parts of a Higher Ed leader’s tool kit to deal with disruptions — and 5 reasons to throw yours out.

August 7, 2026

Strategic Planning in Higher Education 101:

Is it time to go back to basics or move forward with new standards for the planning process?

Strategic planning in higher education 101: planning in times of consistent change. As colleges and universities step into a sense of “new normal,” it is becoming increasingly important for higher education leaders and boards to recommit to the strategic planning process. Times are far from normal as institutions face the enrollment

October 5, 2023

ERM - Enterprise Risk Management in Higher Ed Part 3

Enterprise Risk Management in Higher Ed Part 3:

Risk Oversight and the Board’s Role in Higher Education Risk Management

The need for enterprise risk management (ERM) in higher ed was underscored by the chaotic nature of 2020. However, as noted in our previous blogs in this Enterprise Risk Management for Higher Ed series Part 1 -an overview of risk planning and Part 2 – Risk Planning And Its Critical

August 6, 2024

Enterprise Risk Management in Higher Ed Part 2:

Risk Planning and its Critical Role in Higher Education

Enterprise risk management is a critical part of higher education’s toolkit in preparing for and mitigating disruptions. As mentioned in part 1 of the Enterprise Risk Management in Higher Ed series, these disruptions can be hazards/accidents, societal, governmental, and technology. There are two parts of enterprise risk management—risk planning, which

January 16, 2022

Enterprise Risk Management In Higher Ed Part 1:

An Overview of the Planning Process

Enterprise risk management in higher ed is widely ignored, but in the traditional business world, enterprise risk management has become an integral part of the business vocabulary.
Living in a VUCA World: We currently live in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment due to a myriad of factors

October 19, 2021

Defining the Role of Academe in the Future of America:

The Latest Higher Ed News from Dr. Drumm McNaughton

Defining the role of academe in the future of America needs to be addressed and defined by leaders in the Academy. A new administration took office this week—and this is one of the most important transitions in our country’s history. The national acrimony and strife that has been building since

April 7, 2026

2020: A Year of Crises and Opportunities in Higher Education

The year 2020 has been a year of crises and opportunities in higher education. The year’s challenges have given higher ed institutions a chance to practice change management, as well as necessitated a sustained focus to build leadership capacity for higher ed and more targeted higher ed branding.

September 5, 2025

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

November 25, 2023

Election 2020 Implications for University Leaders

What are the Election 2020 implications for university leaders? The Democrats and Republicans continue to offer two distinct visions for the nation, and that perspective is seen in their higher education platforms. This newsletter attempts to offer a non-partisan look at the presidential candidates and also offers some suggestions to

November 25, 2023

COVID and In-Person Classes: A Lost Cause or Need for University Crises Recovery?

In-person classes have been shredded by COVID, and many are wondering if they are a lost cause for now or can applying university crises recovery and change management principles save them. Modern times have allowed humans to become comfortable with feeling like they can predict the future.

November 25, 2023

Will COVID Cause University Transformation? Maybe…

University transformation could be the silver lining of the pandemic. COVID has caused a massive disruption in higher ed, and many question whether it will transform or waste the opportunity.

We’re steadily moving toward the start of the new school year, yet something is off. Normally this time of the

November 25, 2023

#BlackLivesMatter in the Ivory Towers

Look back to 2017 when Inside Higher Education reported that Yale University and Harvard were forced to make changes in previous decisions that symbolically honored individuals who had ties to slavery. And these issues weren’t limited to the Ivy League; Centre College changed the name of McReynolds Hall when students

November 25, 2023

Innovating Higher Ed: Don’t Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste

In this post, Innovating Higher Ed: Don’t Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste, you’ll gain insights into ways the coronavirus is forcing higher education institutions to change in uncomfortable ways. But like any holistic change, this situation also is offering unintended consequences, both positive developments (blessings) and troubling realizations

April 7, 2026

Scenario, Risk and Budget Planning: Is Your University’s Fall Term Toast?:

Managing post pandemic enrollment

Scenario, Risk, and Budget Planning: Is Your University’s Fall Term Toast? The spring terms at higher education institutions are just about history. But what can you do to save your 2021 enrollment?

April 7, 2026

How to Move a University from Crisis to Transformation

How to move a University from Crisis to Transformation. There are three types of change: incremental, transformational, and revolutionary (think the internet).

November 25, 2023

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