September 9, 2:00–3:00 PM ET

The ground beneath higher education is shifting—fast. With the enrollment cliff, unpredictable international student flows, changes to federal grants, and cuts at the Department of Education, many institutions are grappling with how to remain financially sustainable while staying true to their mission.

For governing boards and senior leaders, the time to explore bold, structural strategies is now.

In this webinar, we’ll explore how mergers, affiliations, and mission-aligned partnerships can help institutions proactively and strategically respond to external pressures while preserving academic integrity and building resilience for the future. The session will offer practical guidance to board leaders and presidents on how to assess readiness and frame strategic options. Experts will also discuss experiences in integration as well as new research from the past several years on trends and insights.

You’ll learn how to:

Evaluate your institution’s preparedness to navigate financial and demographic headwinds.
Determine the board’s readiness to undertake contingency planning for the institution’s future.
Incorporate merger, affiliation, and partnership (MAP) discussions as part of institutional growth planning.
Utilize a mental model that considers merger options, leverages strengths, and considers post-merger integration.
Consider the role of the president and the chief financial officer in MAP processes.

Whether you’re seeking transformation or simply weighing your options, this session will help your board and leadership team lead with clarity and purpose.

Speakers:

Mark Heckler, PhD, president emeritus, Valparaiso University; consultant, AGB
Paul Friga, PhD, professor of strategy and entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School; consultant, AGB
Ali Malekzadeh, PhD, president, Roosevelt University; consultant, AGB