10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

11:00 – 11:20 a.m.

11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In this foundational session, you will learn about recent trends in mergers across the industry including emerging pressures and opportunities. You will then begin to tie these trends to your own institutional context and set the stage for our opening discussion.  

REFLECTION AND ROUND ROBIN: You will share how you see your own campuses reflected in the trends.

12:00 – 12:15 p.m.

12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Though much depends on the current landscape of higher ed and your institutional context, our faculty have identified common practices across the landscape that lead to successful mergers. 

12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
WEBCAM DISCUSSION PANEL: Share how your institution is preparing for the future of higher ed, and answer questions that will help us address your institution’s needs and goals in the conference content.

1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Institutions embark on mergers and joint ventures with a great deal of good will. As things progress, there are times when due diligence sheds light on areas for concern. We will examine a potential merger that did not come to fruition and discuss what strategies to consider from start to finish. 

REFLECTION AND WEBCAM DISCUSSION: You will analyze a merger scenario and answer the following questions:

1. What went wrong in the process for X university?
2. What type of analysis should have been done differently?
3. What was/is the future of X University?
4. How does this case study reveal considerations for your own institution?

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
The recent statutory reorganization in the University System of Georgia highlights some of the key trends in higher education. From this, we can draw many lessons on how to gain buy-in and find the common pathway for alignment and working towards the future.

WHITEBOARD ACTIVITY: Given the size and scale of your institution, what is one takeaway from this case study that you can apply or learn from?

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.

4:00 – 4:45 p.m.
President Nivine Megahed from National Louis University will discuss the acquisition of Kendall college, a for-profit Laureate Education college. Through acquiring Kendall College, they were able to add three new programs including hospitality, early online childhood, and culinary. Nivine will highlight the opportunistic mindset that drove at faster than normal speed transaction (taking less than one year).  Since the acquisition, they are more aware of the day to day realities. This case study may also help dispel myths about what happens after integration. 

WEBCAM CHAT: What is one myth about mergers that has been dispelled or affirmed through today’s sessions?

4:45 – 5:00 p.m.

5:00 – 5:15 p.m.
For those of you who would like to meet with a presenter individually, you will have an opportunity during this time. Our informal reception is your chance to decompress and expand your network of connections. Our programs are intentionally designed for smaller groups, so this is a great time to catch-up with attendees and speakers whom you may not have connected with yet.

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Institutional expansions and acquisitions can take on a number of forms. Acquiring distressed assets as an institution is going out of business is one way to expand your portfolio. President Nivine Megahed from National Louis University will discuss this approach that requires rapid intensive regulatory and institutional accommodation but circumvents all the legal costs required to do a standard acquisition of assets. When these opportunities arise, an institution must move very quickly to address student needs successfully.

WHITEBOARD ACTIVITY: Given the size and scale of your institution, what is one takeaway from this case study that you can apply or learn from? 

12:00 – 12:15 p.m.

12:15– 1:00 p.m.
During this time, we will break into smaller groups for several rounds of discussion, so you can share an informal space to probe further into the case studies and get your questions answered. Our experts are open to frank conversations about their experiences.

BREAKOUT GROUPS: Attendees will decide how to divide into groups, and we’ll set up the rotations for the afternoon. 

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
We will continue rounds of discussion, so you can share an informal space to probe further into the case studies and get your questions answered.

BREAKOUT GROUPS: You will have the chance to change groups to consult with other speakers and attendees.

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
BWEBCAM DISCUSSION PANEL: Following the mentor group discussions, our panelists will support the group in further distilling the key process considerations for your specific challenges. Themes may include:

• Strategies during the due diligence process
• How and when to involve key players
• Gaining support from the campus and community
• How to gracefully exit a deal
• Transparent communication, internally, and externally
• How changes in leadership could potentially impact a deal

3:30 – 3:45 p.m.

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
You will be guided through a series of discussions and planning exercises to map out strategies for better defining your profile and becoming more active in finding potential partners and identifying future opportunities.

REFLECTION AND VIRTUAL CONSULTING: You will complete a series of reflective exercises and sign up for one-on-one consulting with faculty.

4:45 – 5:00 p.m.