This special episode explores the state of higher education today through the lens of our podcast hosts and Value Architects™, Dave Capitano, Adrienne Larmett and Christine Smith. Our specialists highlight key challenges institutions face in 2023 and solutions on how leaders can remain competitive in the changing landscape. We discuss many trending topics, including the top risks institutions must consider on their campuses, how institutional alignment helps operationalize strategy, the benefits of collaboration in resource-constrained environments and valuable takeaways and lessons learned from the field. Plus, hear how Baker Tilly partnered with industry associations to help prepare colleges and universities for sustainability and success now, for tomorrow, and how to access the report.

The higher education industry continues to encounter unique challenges, and institutional leaders must keep many critical issues top-of-mind, including construction risks their campuses face. Tune in as Baker Tilly construction and real estate advisory practice senior managers, Robert Zellmer and Heath Whitaker, explore potential construction risks connected with an institution’s capital projects and how colleges and universities can proactively mitigate such risks. We outline the value of conducting risk audits, opportunities to strengthen controls and how a strategic construction risk Value ArchitectTM can help draw up solutions that align with institutional goals. Don’t miss the top three construction risks institutions should consider now, valuable industry insights and lessons learned.

Higher education faces a time of rapid change and unpredictability forcing institutional leaders to realize that student success extends beyond academics and includes meeting their mental health and well-being needs. In this episode, Colgate University (Colgate) Director of Student Health Services, Dr. Ellen Larson, and digital mental health clinic Mantra Health (Mantra) Vice President of Program Success, Kelly Carleton and Mantra’s Medical Director, Dr. Nora Feldpausch, explore how telehealth expands access to critical mental health services to students. We probe how Mantra serves as a digital extension of Colgate’s counseling center, complements the campus’ existing resources and has enabled the institution to improve timeliness and care levels for requested services. Our guests outline evidence-based approaches and strategies to meet student mental health needs, questions institutions should ask while considering outsourcing mental health services and how data not only drives decisions, but also improves student outcomes. Don’t miss future predictions of mental health in higher education and valuable takeaways that guide campuses to meet the rising demand for services in this space.

Student mental health is a growing concern across higher education as institutions seek to meet needs for critical services despite resource-constrained environments. In this episode, Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Director of Counseling and Mental Health, Eric Wood, Ph.D., LPC, explores how TCU’s Comprehensive Collaborative Care Model is enhancing the effectiveness and level of care colleges and universities can provide to students. In this timely conversation, we also outline the model’s key initiatives to expand the scope and meaning of mental health support by leveraging strategic and collaborative community and campus partnerships, building student-led peer support communities that foster belonging and using data to make informed decisions. Plus, Eric reveals key strategies about navigating the future of student mental health on campuses.

Esports presents countless opportunities for colleges and universities in their quest to differentiate themselves and join this exciting and expanding digital playing field. Director of Membership Sales and Services with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), Ashley "AJ" Jones, explores trending topics in the flourishing world of esports and the unique connection between esports and higher education. We discuss how esports presents institutions the opportunity to enhance and diversify their athletics culture, create a sense of belonging for students and increase collegiate athletic and other pathways for both the students and campus. Tune in as AJ highlights various esports developments that NACE is monitoring, such as an uptick in interest by Division I institutions, how they are addressing poaching, the importance of aligning a program’s strategic objectives with an institution’s mission and what the future looks like as esports continues to gain momentum across higher education. Plus, we outline how esports can serve as a strategic recruitment and retention tool and other key success factors to guide institutions to go there and become esports ready.

There’s no doubt that higher education is growing increasingly competitive, and institutions are reimagining ways to achieve fiscal resiliency and enhance student outcomes. In this episode, leaders from the University of Louisville (UofL) reveal the power of brand strategy to differentiate the institution in today’s challenging and evolving higher education space. UofL’s Interim President, Lori Gonzalez, Executive Director of Brand and Marketing, Kim Butterweck, and advertising agency BVK’s Senior Vice President of Education, Tam Powell, join us to explore the importance of an integrated brand strategy, why it is often overlooked by colleges and universities and how it can help advance an institution’s mission, vision and commitment to students. We explore how UofL’s brand evolution aligns with the University’s pillars and student values; discuss tools and frameworks that helped gain institutional-wide support; and examine the benefits leaders experienced while embarking on a strategy brand journey. Don’t miss when Kim and Lori reveal key approaches to overcoming obstacles the University encountered and the positive impact of operationalizing an institution’s brand.

As name, image and likeness (NIL) continues to expand opportunities and push boundaries across collegiate athletics, one area of NIL that has captured the higher education industry’s attention and a place on the NCAA radar is NIL collectives. Baker Tilly’s Higher Education Risk Advisory Leader, Adrienne Larmett, and Tax Partner, Larry Mohr, join Higher Education Practice Leader, Dave Capitano, to explore NIL collectives and their impact on institutions and student athletes. We highlight the importance of understanding compliance, risks and tax implications associated with NIL collectives, current and future guidelines institutions need to keep top of mind, and above all, how collectives serve as an approach to better support, recruit and retain student athletes in a highly competitive collegiate playing field. Listen for when Adrienne and Larry reveal top takeaways that help prepare institutions and student athletes to effectively maneuver the fast-evolving NIL era.

As institutional leaders seek to adopt innovative and impactful business models across a disruptive higher education industry, many are shifting their focus to public-private partnerships (P3s) as a strategic and sustainable pathway to meet institutional, student and community needs. In this insightful fiscal resiliency episode, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) Chancellor, James Schmidt, and UWEC Foundation President, Kimera Way, share their various experiences leveraging P3s in transformative ways to help fulfill the mission of the institution and foundation, expand student opportunities, attain fiscal sustainability, support community development and much more. We explore how partnerships positively impact the Eau Claire community beyond UWEC’s campus and provide critical solutions to improve career-readiness. Chancellor Schmidt and Kim also reveal key attributes and best practices for successful P3 relationships. Listen as to learn how one collaborative partnership continues to drive educational, economic and social prosperity for both the University and City of Eau-Claire.

October is “Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” and in this Higher Ed Advisor episode, The University of Southern Mississippi’s Information Security Officer, Allen Baxter, and Baker Tilly’s Principal and Higher Education Cybersecurity Leader, Mike Cullen, explore the growing critical role of cybersecurity to protect colleges’ and universities’ data, particularly for research institutions. With cyberattacks and threats increasing across higher education, these two industry IT specialists emphasize the importance of research institutions raising their level of awareness, education, collaboration, communication and plans to manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks and comply with federal regulations. We examine the main reasons why research institutions are gradually more vulnerable to cyber crime and key implications of not protecting data from a regulatory and threat perspective. Allen and Mike also share best practices for how institutions can prepare for upcoming regulations that can impact funding and questions that help identify, assess and manage cyber risks. Listen as Allen and Mike reveal specific cybersecurity approaches and controls that institutional leaders should consider as part of their strategy to protect and enhance their campus’ research data, resources and reputation.

Collegiate athletes deal with many pressures, from performing their best in competitions to balancing academics with a demanding schedule and much more in between. In this episode, NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship Elite 90 winner and former Baker Tilly accounting intern, Connor Bennink, uplifts Baker Tilly’s Collegiate Athletics Practice Leaders and podcast hosts, Dave Capitano and Adrienne Larmett, about how he personally transforms the struggles encountered as a Division II (and now Division I) student athlete into opportunities. Recognizing the highly evolving and mobile collegiate athletics environment is greatly influenced by name, image and likeness (NIL), the COVID-19 pandemic, growing mental health challenges and other factors, Connor provides an illuminating student athlete perspective on these topics. Hear about Connor’s experiences transferring from Division II Gannon University to Division I Coastal Carolina University and how his Gannon experience prepared him to adjust to the dynamics of a new team, coach and campus. Plus, we examine the struggles student athletes face and how colleges and universities can empower and support them.