Higher Education Enters a New Age of Mergers and Partnerships

Constitutional and public law attorney Christopher Riano authored a column for University Business on the changing playbook surrounding mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships in higher education. As institutions face declining enrollment, rising costs and increased federal oversight, presidents and trustees are turning away from the traditional financial model reliant on tuition revenue and endowment income and toward collaborations and cooperative alliances to preserve financial viability. Mr. Riano highlights full mergers and acquisitions, system affiliations, strategic partnerships and shared services models as examples of options for schools, encouraging leaders to tailor solutions to mission, scale and geography. The article concludes by contending that, when done right, consolidation represents an act of stewardship, preserving academic programs and maintaining independent governance while adapting to change.

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