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Inside College Mergers

Stories from the Front Lines

edited by Mark La Branche
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A firsthand account by seven college and university leaders who went beyond traditional boundaries of operation and identity to preserve, sustain, expand, and enhance their missions.

Hear from seven college and university leaders who went beyond traditional boundaries of operation and identity to preserve, sustain, expand, and enhance their missions.

While the specter of closure looms over many colleges and universities, mergers can offer a pathway to success and growth. In Inside College Mergers, editor Mark La Branche offers firsthand accounts of how he and six other college and university...

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A firsthand account by seven college and university leaders who went beyond traditional boundaries of operation and identity to preserve, sustain, expand, and enhance their missions.

Hear from seven college and university leaders who went beyond traditional boundaries of operation and identity to preserve, sustain, expand, and enhance their missions.

While the specter of closure looms over many colleges and universities, mergers can offer a pathway to success and growth. In Inside College Mergers, editor Mark La Branche offers firsthand accounts of how he and six other college and university leaders embarked on transformative journeys to preserve, sustain, expand, and enhance their institutions' missions. The nuanced circumstances, responses, and outcomes that shape the merger landscape reveal practical insights to guide your own institution's journey.

Through personal experiences and lessons in leadership, each chapter author shares their institution's unique journey, offering valuable insights for those considering mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships. These contributors share tactical strategies for decision-making and delve into the philosophy of leadership, providing a trove of wisdom for all leaders in higher education. With predictions of college closures looming, it is imperative for institutions to explore options beyond traditional boundaries.

Designed for presidents, provosts, chancellors, trustees, and aspiring higher education leaders, this book serves as a rare playbook, showcasing successful mergers, pitfalls to avoid, and the critical evaluation of institutional missions that mergers can catalyze. Inside College Mergers is an essential guide for shaping the future of higher education through strategic collaborations.

Contributors: Paul Baldasare Jr. on St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Mary L. Churchill on Wheelock College, Robert E. Clark II on Wesley College, Mablene Krueger on Robert Morris University Illinois, Mark La Branche on Martin Methodist College, Paul J. Maurer on Montreat College, Christine Plunkett on Iowa Wesleyan University

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Reviews

La Branche and his coauthors generously share real-life stories about the new world of higher education mergers. In addition to offering a wealth of practical advice, they demonstrate that courageous leadership, genuine care for students, and a commitment to institutional mission are key factors for success. There are lessons here for all who care about the future of higher education.

— Marjorie Hass, President, The Council for Independent Colleges / author of A Leadership Guide for Women in Higher Education

Colleges are being confronted with a wide range of existential threats. Books like Inside College Mergers serve as critical resources during these difficult times. This work provides the reader with a wealth of experiential wisdom from leaders who have walked the complex path of acquisitions and mergers. Learning from these difficult experiences is vital to the future of higher education in America.

— Claude Pressnell, President, Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association

The reality is that mergers are a more common occurrence in higher education than ever before. Whether by force or choice, a merger may ensure institutional longevity, and, more importantly, ensure that students continue their education. This book gives the real behind-the-scenes perspectives and actions higher education leaders take to create new futures.

— Joe Sallustio, Lindenwood University, coauthor of Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education

This book provides the leadership of colleges and universities faced with the possibility of merger, acquisition, or partnership with another institution with a practical guide for such actions as a proactive rather than reactive institutional strategy. A must-read for leaders of colleges and universities.

— John M. Braxton, Vanderbilt University / Resident Scholar, Tennessee Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
176
ISBN
9781421448602
DOI
Illustration Description
1 b&w illus
Subject
Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Honoring Legacy and Preserving Mission
Mary L. Churchill
2 Rebirth of a University: Martin Methodist College Becomes the University of Tennessee Southern
Mark La Branche
3

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Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Honoring Legacy and Preserving Mission
Mary L. Churchill
2 Rebirth of a University: Martin Methodist College Becomes the University of Tennessee Southern
Mark La Branche
3 Intractable Path to an Alternative Future: Expanding and Filling the Strategic Toolbox
Christine Plunkett
4 A Strategic Partnership: Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Paul Baldasare Jr.
5 Better Together: Imaginative Integration
Mablene Krueger
6 How a Failed Merger Attempt Helped Create the Conditions for Success
Paul J. Maurer
7 Redefining Success: Creating Urgency and Changing Perceptions
Robert E. Clark II
Conclusion
Index

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Author Bio
Mark La Branche
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Mark La Branche

Mark La Branche (PENSACOLA, FL) is Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Tennessee Southern.
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