At MGT, we approach institutional challenges by aligning people, processes, data, and technology. This integrated lens helps institutions understand not just what’s broken—but what’s possible. In this time of uncertainty, institutions need more than reactive measures. They need frameworks for resilience, agility, and long-term sustainability.
That’s one of the reasons why the Tambellini Group was a great fit to join our organization. Their Future Campus™ Framework has been instrumental in helping clients deconstruct complex institutional dynamics. Built over the last few years, it identifies where belief systems are holding back progress and where structural transformation can unlock capacity.
In a recent survey of several hundred higher education leaders—spanning institution types, sizes, and senior roles—the results were striking in their consistency. More than 70% of respondents reported heightened concern about the federal policy environment. Interestingly, that concern has sharpened since January this year, polarizing leaders into two camps: those who are increasingly alarmed and those who believe the impacts will be minimal. Contrary to expectation, this split was not sector specific. Both large public and small private institutions are navigating this uncertainty in similar ways.
Institutions are beginning to respond. Key themes include:
Notably, changes to DEI programs also appeared under “other,” ranging from website edits to full program discontinuation. While most institutions have not enacted sweeping changes, the data shows that the urgency to act is rising.
When we asked institutions to prioritize potential actions, the top responses reflected a desire to focus inward—to assess infrastructure, streamline technology, and build core agility. One area drawing particular attention: infrastructure and technology audits. Leaders are telling us they’re overwhelmed by overlapping systems, duplicative licenses, and fragmented user experiences.
Institutions want help rationalizing their tech stacks. They’re asking: How do we reduce costs without sacrificing effectiveness? How do we simplify the environment while boosting performance?
These conversations are playing out across academic planning, marketing strategy, and especially in IT. From license optimization to better data utilization, the call is clear—institutions must modernize.
We’re seeing many institutions shift to the cloud—but not all migrations are created equal. When the move is strategic and transformational, it works. But if it’s just a “lift and shift,” it often replicates the same inefficiencies in a new setting.
For institutions still operating on-premises data centers, the question becomes: why? What’s the strategic value? Many don’t know where critical workloads live, or how they’re protected. And the assumption that vendors are liable for SaaS-based security is dangerously flawed.
We urge institutional leaders to demand more transparency and accountability. Run recovery drills. Know what it takes to get a system back online. Know how much data you’ll lose. Don’t wait for a breach to find out…trust us, those implications can be devastating.
Cybersecurity isn’t about avoiding risk; it’s about managing it. Yet institutions often invest more in recovery than prevention. This is backwards. Leaders must understand contracts, define recovery protocols, and make cyber preparedness a standing agenda item.
At MGT, we encourage regular scenario-based exercises—tabletop drills that simulate real-world crises. These exercises do more than test systems; they expose blind spots in communication, roles, and leadership readiness.
What will define the institutions that thrive over the next five years? The answer is a blend of strategic cost management and organizational agility. This isn’t just about cutting budgets—it’s about realigning resources toward mission-critical priorities.
Sometimes that means sunsetting legacy programs. Often, it means asking hard questions: Why are we doing this? Who is it serving? What’s the real ROI?
These are not easy conversations. But they are essential ones.
Too often, staff hear “organizational review” and think “layoffs.” But in most cases, the opposite is true. Higher ed is operating under extreme strain—fewer people, more hats. The goal is to reduce friction, rebalance workloads, and build structures that work.
Reorgs should clarify—not complicate. They should create career pathways, not roadblocks. They should support mission delivery, not distract from it.
The institutions that emerge stronger won’t be the ones that wait. They’ll be the ones that act—deliberately, strategically, and with courage.
As we move deeper into 2025, the volatility of recent years shows no sign of slowing. This is the time to shore up your backplane: the operational core that supports institutional responsiveness and health. Whether it’s through comp/class studies, infrastructure reviews, or leadership simulations, every institution can take steps now to strengthen its foundation.
We invite you to join us this August 5–6 in New York City for the Future Campus™ Summit—an opportunity to collaborate, test ideas, and sharpen your institutional readiness with peers across the country.
Because when the next disruption comes—and it will—resilience won’t be a buzzword. It will be your competitive advantage.
For more information about the combination and the services offered by MGT and Tambellini, please visit www.mgt.us.
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