Navigating the M&A Landscape: Current Trends and Implications for Higher Education Stakeholders
This presentation delves into the current trends driving higher ed consolidation, including declining enrollment, financial pressures, and the desire for expanded resources and offerings. We will explore common M&A structures and analyze their implications for student access, program quality, and institutional stability. Further, the presentation will address the complexities of M&A processes, highlighting common problems such as integration issues and potential disruptions to students. We will examine the Department of Education's process for reviewing M&A activity, focusing on its role in ensuring institutional viability, financial stability, and student protection, and how that overlaps with the roles of states and accreditors.
Presenters:
Katie Wendel – Counsel, Thompson Coburn, Washington, D.C.
Hope Watson – Associate, Thompson Coburn, Washington, D.C.