Building a Connected College by Aligning Strategy and Services

Most colleges rely on more than 20 disconnected systems to support students, creating confusion, reducing engagement, and lowering graduation rates.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Elliot Felix is the founder of brightspot Strategy (acquired by Buro Happold in 2020) and the author of The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success about how building integrated systems where strategy, services, and technology work together can improve student outcomes without increasing institutional complexity or cost.

Felix, who has worked with more than 100 institutions including MIT, NYU, and the University of Virginia, draws on his background in architecture and design thinking to offer practical solutions for breaking down silos and creating seamless student experiences. This conversation provides actionable strategies for institutional leaders seeking to move from fragmentation to alignment while managing limited resources.

This episode is particularly valuable for presidents, trustees, and senior administrators looking to redesign operations and improve student success through systemic coordination rather than adding more programs and services.

Topics Covered:

• Why the "additive culture" in higher education creates operational sprawl and student confusion
• How design thinking can transform institutional strategy and student experience
• Practical approaches to breaking down silos without major reorganizations
• Using RACI models and governance structures to enable faster, smarter decisions
• The critical importance of aligning strategic planning with budget decisions
• Reframing risk as a condition for progress through prototyping and piloting
• Strategic partnerships as tools for expanding capacity without internal complexity

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• NYU's transformation of computer labs into "connect and create" collaborative spaces
• UVA's co-location of different advising functions for seamless student support
• Purdue University's Communicators Council as a model for decentralized coordination
• Colorado State's IT governance process for strategic technology investments
• The pitfall of institutions with both writing centers and writing labs in the same building
• Quinnipiac's healthcare partnership providing both services and talent pipeline
• Amarillo College's community partnerships that increased graduation rates from 14% to 65-80%

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

• Create a focused strategy that prioritizes where to invest, makes hard tradeoffs, and aligns budget with institutional goals
• Break the cycle of fragmentation by consolidating services and systems to improve access, reduce duplication, and enhance outcomes
• Reframe risk as progress by encouraging piloting and iteration to unlock innovation without waiting for consensus or perfection

This episode offers institutional leaders a clear, actionable framework for moving from fragmentation to alignment while improving student outcomes through strategic execution rather than adding complexity.