Higher Ed Advisor: A Baker Tilly Podcast Baker Tilly

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.