Christian higher education institutions are increasingly collaborating to address financial challenges and remain globally relevant. Collaboration can lead to increased perceived value and sustainable funding when it enhances engagement and perceived relevance. While collaboration benefits communities, universities struggle to implement initiatives due to barriers like rewarding individual work over collaboration. External funders increasingly prioritize collaboration as it fosters innovation. Case studies show schools collaborating through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to strengthen programs and extend reach. Moving forward, best practices include leadership commitment, a shared vision, trust, action, communication, and prayer.

1. Christian Higher Ed
Collaboration & Financial Sustainability
In The Context of The Global Cause

2. Collaboration + Engagement
=
Perceived Relevance
=
Perceived Value
=
Sustainable Funding

3. Road Map
Where Are We Going?
What Educators Are Saying
Funder’s Perspective
Consider Jesus
Case Histories: Panel & Discussion
Assessment
Resources For Collaboration
Action Steps – Best Practices

4. Inside Higher Ed –
What’s Being Said

5. …what is needed is a vision of a new culture – a
collaborative culture – that incorporates the most
admirable qualities of [each partner]. Collaborative
partnerships within and across organizational settings
are flourishing as educational and service institutions
cope with increasing complexity and change.
____________________________
Collaboration and Partnerships
(American College Personnel Association E Newsletter)
Dr. Charles C. Schroeder, Vice Chancellor, University of Missouri
…interdisciplinary collaborations have become a way of
life and are flourishing, leaving far behind the isolated
disciplinary silos that characterize many academic
campuses.
____________________________
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Down with the Silos and Up With Engagement
(Newsletter: American Academy of Higher Education 01.07)

6. 2010 Overseas Council &
visionSynergy Research:
Deans & Presidents in 129
Institutions/6 Global Regions
 70.7% Dissatisfied with on-campus collaboration
 58.2% Dissatisfied with quality of inter-institutional
collaboration
 67.5% Dissatisfied with community collaboration

7. …in today’s networked world, no
university can expect to achieve greatness
while standing alone. …it is virtually
impossible to engage globally without
partnership. …it is not just possible but
desirable to invest institutional energy in
the establishment and continued
development of partnerships.
____________________________
Collaboration among research universities: a model from the US Midwest
January 2009 Dr. Barbara McFadden
Committee on Institutional Cooperation

8. Although there are many benefits to enabling a
community of collaboration, most universities
struggle to implement collaborative initiatives due to
inherent barriers in organizational structure, and
long-held values in the prestige of rewarding and
promoting faculty autonomy. Faculty are hired and
rewarded for their ability to develop and lead
independent … programs. Their teaching practice is
inherently dependent on their individual abilities to
disseminate and transfer their disciplinary
knowledge and expertise. How do we promote a
community of academic excellence where faculty are
encouraged to collaborate and to capitalize on their
collective intellectual capacities …?
Nathasha Kenny, PhD, University of Guelph

9. While many (higher ed) consortia initially were
focused on the idea of improving efficiency
through sharing physical resources, academic
resources, or administrative services, the last
few years have witnessed an increased
emphasis on improving effectiveness by
encouraging innovation through collaboration.
And effectiveness in higher education is
crucial, especially given the growing consensus
that the old ways of operating are not up to the
task in today's changing environment. The
increasingly urgent need for institutions to
innovate through consortial relationships
mirrors a current trend toward collaboration in
business and industry.
Trusteeship October 2011

10. The Funders’ Perspective

11. While we have developed a number of conclusions
that guide our investment policy, I have to say
that, above all else, we have concluded that the
future belongs to those Christian schools that have
a vision for and really practice collaboration
throughout what they do. These schools typically
have a clear vision of who they are. They know
their strengths – what they can and cannot do
well. Their sense of identity is strong; they have
an outward vision; their leadership is focused on
the future rather than the past; they are open to
change and market by a spirit of optimism.
Christian Foundation Executive Director
_________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Almost all the stakeholders that provide funding
for education are interested in collaboration.
That’s a pretty powerful message to be
sending, and it has an influence on (all) the
disciplines. External funders are not basing this on
some abstract ideal. They’re seeing in all their
research that the better answers to significant
issues—whether in energy, health care, or
nanotechnology—are all multidisciplinary.
In addition, collaboration is a way for institutions
to remain relevant at a time when the public is
becoming less likely to support programs if they
don’t see their relevance. (Leaders) ignore this at
their own risk.
Organizing Higher Education for Collaboration: A Guide for Campus Leaders (Jossey-Bass, 2009), Adrianna J. Kezar and Jaime Lester

13. Consider Jesus:
Submits Validity of His Ministry
to Judgment of His Works vs.
His Word
 You may not believe my words but you cannot deny
my works.
 Because of this (healing) word spread like wildfire
around the region.
 88% personal contacts dealt with real life issues on
which He chose to act, not speak

14. Case Histories

15. Case History
Highpoint,
North Carolina
Laurel University acquires Universidad
FLET, a Latin American distance learning
institution, and integrates it into
Laurel’s vision and on-going program

16. Case Study
Colorado Springs, CO
NBC extends the reach and impact of its on-line
learning systems through partnerships with
other schools, Salvation Army, etc.

17. Case Study
Oregon & Hawaii
New Hope (Oregon) merges with Pacific Rim College
(Hawaii) resulting in stronger accreditation, program
innovation, new faculty models

18. Cause Collaboration
a better way to change the world
Collaboration Resources

19. Collaboration
Environment Assessment

20. Looking Forward:
Best Practices & Action Steps
 Leadership/Institutional Commitment
 Commonly owned, powerful vision
 Committed facilitator(s)
 Limited, achievable objectives
 Trusting relationships
 Process not an event
 Action reflects key constituencies priorities
 Focus: what is held in common
 Pro-active communication
 Foundation of prayer

21. Questions For Discussion

22. Christian Higher Ed
Collaboration & Financial Sustainability
In The Context of The Global Cause