HCS Strategy
Helping Higher Education Institutions Navigate Transformational Change
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Who We Are

About We are a team of merger-tested experts, proven academic professionals who served during some of the most prominent recent university mergers. When searching for college and university merger and consolidation consultants, look to leading academic leaders who successfully navigated these complex processes, and who understand that fiscal solvency is not our only consideration. These industry veterans, representing former college and university trustees, presidents, provosts, vice presidents, academic healthcare administrators, state legislators and more, are experts in merger execution fields including governance and administration, finance, academic affairs, student affairs, advancement, enrollment services and more. The north star that they share among all backgrounds and areas of expertise: mergers require discretion, sensitivity to internal and external constituencies and careful planning.

Who We Are 

HCS Strategy brings together senior leaders who have navigated consequential change in higher education from the boardroom, cabinet table, and campus. Our advisors include current and former college and university trustees, presidents, provosts, vice presidents, and academic and healthcare administrators. Their collective expertise spans mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and affiliations; governance and administration; finance and operations; academic affairs; student affairs and athletics; advancement and fundraising; enrollment services and student success.

We share a common philosophy: transformational change—whether a merger, strategic partnership, governance realignment, major institutional repositioning, or responsible closure—requires objective analysis, discretion, careful planning, sensitivity to internal and external constituencies, and an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity. Financial sustainability is essential, but it is never the only consideration; the strongest path must also account for mission, students, employees, institutional culture, and the communities an institution serves.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Collectively, HCS Strategy's advisors have served in leadership roles during, advised on, researched, or written about the following university mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, affiliations, and related transactions:

  • Merger of the University of Findlay and Bluffton University

  • Merger of Presidio Graduate School and University of Redlands

  • Merger of Bloomfield College and Montclair State University

  • Affiliation of Union Theological Seminary with New York Theological Seminary

  • Closure of Lincoln College

  • Creation of what is now Augusta University Health System

  • Merger of Augusta State University and Georgia Health Sciences University to form Georgia Regents University (now Augusta University)

  • Consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College to become the University of North Georgia

  • Mercy College (New York) combination with the College of New Rochelle

  • Closure of Mount Ida College

  • Consolidation of the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

  • Merger of The University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio

  • Merger of Wheelock College with Boston University

  • Merger of Nova University and Southeastern University of the Health Sciences

  • Multiple for-profit college and university mergers and acquisitions, including in combination with nonprofit institutions

Each of these projects required careful consideration of multiple viable paths—including growth, partnership, affiliation, acquisition, merger, or responsible closure. HCS Strategy's advisors bring firsthand executive experience to the strategic, governance, regulatory, cultural, and human dynamics involved, including the discretion required when multiple potential partner institutions are under consideration.

Confidentiality is foundational to this work. We do not identify current clients or disclose engagement details without authorization.