Shared Services and Consolidation Strategies for Small Colleges

Shared services and consolidation strategies are helping struggling small colleges stabilize operations, reduce costs, and pursue sustainable growth—without compromising institutional identity or student outcomes. In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, host Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Jason Duggan, CEO of Thesis Elements, about how these approaches are being used to help small colleges strengthen efficiency and financial sustainability.

Drawing on his experience helping small colleges modernize their operations through cloud-based student information systems, Duggan explores how shared services, academic partnerships, and digital transformation are enabling institutions to manage costs and expand capacity. He also offers insights into how leadership teams and boards are approaching these strategies in the current financial and demographic environment.

This conversation is especially relevant for presidents, trustees, and senior leadership teams evaluating whether shared services or consolidation strategies could support their institution’s long-term mission and sustainability.

Topics Covered:

• The financial and operational pressures driving small colleges to explore shared services and consolidation

• How administrative shared services are helping reduce overhead and improve service quality

• Strategic approaches to institutional consolidation and how they can support enrollment and operational goals

• Academic resource-sharing models and their role in expanding offerings while managing instructional costs

• Innovative financial and academic strategies to strengthen institutional resilience

• The role of cloud-based systems and digital transformation in supporting shared services and operational agility

• How presidents and boards are facilitating leadership conversations about shared services and consolidation

• Key considerations for aligning shared services and consolidation initiatives with institutional mission and values

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Clarify institutional mission and target audience to guide strategic planning and resource allocation.

2. Prioritize student success and retention as core drivers of institutional resilience.

3. Evaluate shared services and consolidation strategies as potential options for improving efficiency and long-term sustainability.

This episode offers valuable insights for institutional leaders exploring new operational models to support their mission and navigate today’s higher education landscape.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, board members, chief financial officers, provosts, and senior administrative leaders focused on institutional sustainability and operational strategy.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/shared-services-and-consolidation-strategies-for-small-colleges/