Higher Ed Outlook Series: Lessons From College Mergers
May 1, 2026College mergers are becoming a strategic choice, rather than a response to financial challenges. Drawing on high-profile partnerships announced over the last 18 months, this webinar will explore what 2025 revealed about why institutions pursue mergers, who participates, and what differentiates successful mergers from risky ones. Attendees will explore how both financially strong and financially constrained institutions are using mergers to help advance their mission, expand programs, improve sustainability, and position themselves for long-term success. Presenters will place special emphasis on the importance of clarifying the “why” behind a potential merger before partnership discussions begin.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Identify the primary strategic drivers behind recent mergers.
- Differentiate between proactive and crisis-driven mergers.
- Apply key leadership questions to assess readiness at your own institution.