LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

One Team, One Dream? The Promise of University Consolidations

🇺🇸 State governors are increasingly contemplating consolidating public institutions to address enrollment challenges and budget constraints. And the trend isn’t going anywhere. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster are the latest to discuss merges.

While the strategic facets of such mergers are often highlighted, the critical element of cultural integration within these transitions cannot be overstated. Harvard Business Review research indicates that 70%-90% of mergers fail largely due to cultural mismatches. In an ideal world, “one team, one dream” would prevail. However, the reality of distinct cultures, each with its unique ethos, poses a significant challenge that leaders must strategically navigate.

🦁 Leadership Insights »

While your institution may not be facing a merger at the scale of state-wide consolidations, the principles of effective cultural integration apply universally—whether it’s a re-org, team building, or adding a single individual to the mix.

Remember this formula:

Better Strategies + Better Systems + Better People = Best Results

Strategies and systems are pretty straightforward. People, not so much! As such, we advise leaders to pay special attention to chemistry and culture. Don’t take for granted the synergies you find on paper will translate to real-world outcomes.

 🎯 Cabinet Conversation »

• How are you considering the cultural aspects of your current or planned organizational changes?
• What strategies are in place to ensure a smooth cultural integration during the restructuring or merging of teams?
• How can you foster a culture of openness and collaboration to navigate the transitions effectively?

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Good Jobs Beyond City Limits: The Untapped Wealth of Rural America

A new report reveals that rural America has many of the nation’s good jobs. The report also shows that even without degrees, rural workers often secure good jobs. These findings challenge the perceived narrative of rural America and the necessity of a college education. 

Despite these findings, challenges that require targeted rural investments in education and workforce training to improve equity gaps remain:

• 50% of rural workers hold good jobs, nearly matching the 54% in urban areas.
• Rural workers with a high school diploma hold 26% of good jobs, outpacing their urban counterparts.
• Stark disparities persist, with 86% of good jobs held by white workers and significant gender gaps in job distribution.

Recommendations by the Center on Education and the Workforce include:

Building Rural Human Capital: Develop educational programs and training tailored to rural area’s specific economic and cultural needs. This involves creating curriculum paths that lead to local employment opportunities and entrepreneurial endeavors, ensuring that education is directly relevant to the region’s economic fabric.

• Utilizing Existing Human Capital: Recognize and harness the skills and experiences already present in rural communities. This might include offering certification and upskilling programs that validate and elevate the existing workforce, transforming untapped potential into a robust economic asset.
• Stimulating Rural Economic Growth: Collaborate with local businesses, government agencies, and community organizations to create ecosystems that foster innovation, support local industries, and attract new opportunities. By acting as catalysts for economic development, colleges can play a pivotal role in revitalizing rural economies.

🦁 Leadership Insights »

If you seek funding and serve rural and underserved populations, we encourage you to check out President Biden’s Justice 40 Initiative. Some of our partner institutions are connecting projects to the initiative and are hopeful they’ll receive funding.

What is Justice 40? The historic plan calls for the federal government to direct 40 percent of “certain investments” to disadvantaged and marginalized communities. These investments include climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure development.