In Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM), institutions commonly focus on recruitment, but long-term fiscal sustainability is far more influenced by what happens after students enroll. Academic Affairs, through curriculum design, advising, learning supports, and early intervention, plays the most substantial role in ensuring that students persist, progress, and graduate. In a period of declining enrollment and rising costs, retention has become not only a student-success prior

Belonging as the New Retention Driver The data are precise: students who feel like they belong are significantly more likely to persist and graduate. Crawford (2024) found that sense of belonging directly predicted students’ motivation, academic engagement, and persistence across multiple institutional types. Similarly, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Teaching and Learning Lab (2023) reports that belonging positively correlates with both academic performance and m

When we discuss governance, we're not simply referring to policies outlined on paper or structures shown in organizational charts. Governance encompasses organizations and institutions at all levels—from federal and state systems to individual businesses and campuses. It involves the ways these entities interact to shape decisions that affect real people (Kezar & Eckel, 2004). Good governance is not an abstract concept; it’s a daily practice that requires balance, humility, a

A strategic plan is more than a document; strategic planning should be continuous. It demands a quick and realistic approach. For many leaders, the last few years have revealed just how quickly internal and external conditions can shift. Whether due to new federal legislation, changing state accountability frameworks, or evolving local community needs, the strategic compass must continually be recalibrated. When done well, strategic planning becomes a powerful framework for a

Leading with Clarity, Capacity, and Courage In an environment marked by complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change, organizations can no longer afford to move at yesterday’s pace or rely on outdated plans. The key to success today is nimble agility (Flahiff, 2015), the ability to shift direction quickly while maintaining a clear vision for the future (Forbes Business Development Council, 2022). Agile organizations aren't just fast; they are focused . They are equipped to respo

Leading Through Uncertain Times In today's climate, marked by office closures, reductions in force (RIFs), and shifting organizational landscapes, authentic and empathetic leadership is more critical than ever. Leaders are facing unprecedented challenges, balancing organizational stability with the personal and professional impacts these difficult decisions have on teams, students, and the broader community. Navigating this environment effectively requires intentional strateg

In today’s professional landscape, individuals across varied fields are experiencing unprecedented emotional and mental strain. The cumulative impact of ongoing global uncertainties, intense workloads, societal stressors, and personal challenges have left many feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, or disconnected. Recognizing this collective state of mind is crucial, not only for personal wellness but for fostering healthy professional environments and inclusive communities. Underst

As an African American woman who has served in several leadership roles at various types of postsecondary institutions, there are some...

Over the past couple of years, TSG has provided executive coaching as a part of the firm’s organizational effectiveness portfolio. And although the popularity of executive coaching has increased dramatically in both the practitioner world and academia, we are not sure that we have kept up with assessing the effectiveness of executive coaching.  As with the organizations we represent, the coaching frameworks used reflect the individual entity's vision and mission as well as th

Martin Luther King Jr. is surely the most famous HBCU alumni, having entered Morehouse College at age 15 and graduating at 19. Martin...

Philanthropy as charitable acts or other good works that help others or society as a whole, can include donating   money to a worthy...

What is innovation? Innovation is change to style, process, or procedure that aligns with an existing organizational structure. It may be new branding or software, or a new initiative. It may be another step in a process or an addition to a policy. Innovation is a change to the appearance or surface level of a thing and does not alter the underlying framework. Innovation is  change  through the lens of rethinking and reimagining what the work in its process or outcome  looks

What is a change agent in organizational transformation? A Change Agent is a leader who adopts and exhibits a transformational leadership style. Transformational leadership is the ability to motivate people to want to change, improve, and be led.  Similar to the Courageous Leader we’ve described previously [link to Courageous Leadership blog], a change agent has strong decision-making skills, collaborates and supports the mission cross-functionally, holds themselves and other

As a leader, before we can effectively do anything else, it is essential to gain the trust and support of decision-makers, peers, and our team members. Trust is how we build collaboration, establish coalitions, and get the big and impactful work of our organization done successfully. While strategies may be applied differently with each cohort, building trust is ultimately about being in relationship with others and bringing self-awareness, self-management, and intentionality

What is innovation? Innovation is a change to style, process, or procedure that aligns with an existing organizational structure. It may be new branding or software, or a new initiative of some sort. It may be another step in a process or an addendum to a policy. Innovation is a change to the appearance or surface level of a thing and does not alter the underlying framework. Innovation is  change  through the lens of rethinking and reimagining what the work in its process or

The importance of finding authentic alignment with the work. We have discussed the importance of leaders acting in alignment and integrity with their values and those of the organization. This skill builds the trust among stakeholders necessary for leaders to move the work forward. Leaders are also more than a job description or role in an organizational chart, and those who rise to leadership positions often do so beca use they are ambitious as well as passionate about the w

In fast-paced, mission-driven environments, transformational leadership is essential to achieving an organization’s goals. Transformational leadership involves shifting others’ views on typical approaches, practices, and procedures to more efficiently and effectively serve constituents and bring about the organization’s vision. A transformational leader works to understand the underlying motivations of current mindsets and works to support team members in stepping outside of

Institutional leaders must often balance multiple competing interests. When they rise to positions of increased responsibility and influence, it can be challenging to maintain integrity and alignment within themselves and with the organization's mission while balancing the requirements and expectations of stakeholders. But it need not be impossible. Leaders can begin by defining their own values and aligning them with organizational goals and interests. Secondly,  leaders mus

What is organizational transformation? In assessing outcomes, organizations often think about innovation and less about transformation. But transformation is at the heart of organizational effectiveness. Innovation refers to creating new products, services, or business models that solve existing problems or meet unmet needs. Transformation enables organizations to update and evolve both internal practices and external interactions with customers, clients, or partners.  When c