The Real Reason Higher Ed Mergers Fail

The Real Reason Higher Ed Mergers Fail

June 22, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 310

About this episode

This episode discusses the human layer of higher education mergers and acquisitions with insights from Dr. Morgan Johnson.

The financial pressures squeezing higher education are real, but when it comes to the complex world of mergers and acquisitions, focusing solely on the spreadsheet is a critical mistake. In this episode of The Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory sits down with Dr. Morgan Johnson, VP of Academic Experience at The University of Arizona Global Campus, to discuss the human layer of higher ed M&A. Having recently defended her dissertation on the leadership competencies essential to navigating mergers, Morgan shares firsthand insights from more than 20 senior leaders across three completed institutional mergers.

People in this episode

Host: Mallory Willsea

Guest: Dr. Morgan Johnson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The University of Arizona Global Campus

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