College America (CCA) has released its latest report, Creating Nimble Teams: How Institutions Enable Transformational Change. Based on CCA’s work with numerous institutions across Arkansas, Montana, and Oklahoma through the PEP initiative, the publication offers valuable insights into overcoming barriers to institutional transformation in higher education.

Key report highlights:

  • Identifies five common behavioral archetypes that limit institutions’ capacity for change
  • Introduces the concept of “Nimble Teams” as a solution to overcome these archetypes
  • Provides practical strategies for creating and supporting Nimble Teams
  • Offers real-world examples from PEP institutions that successfully implemented change

The report provides critical insights for higher education leaders, faculty, and staff committed to improving student success, increasing completion rates, and closing equity gaps on their campuses.

Creating Nimble Teams addresses the current challenges facing higher education, including the lingering effects of the pandemic, public skepticism about the value of postsecondary education, and internal pressures such as staff turnover and low employee morale. By offering strategies to overcome these obstacles, the report provides a roadmap for institutions to not only survive but thrive in this challenging environment.

The report is the culmination of three years of intensive work through the PEP initiative, funded by Ascendium Education Group. This initiative focused on scaling change that centers equity in college completion policy and practices across Arkansas, Montana, and Oklahoma. By working directly with colleges and universities and at the state level, CCA gained unique insights into the challenges and opportunities for transformational change in higher education.

Download the full report to learn how your institution can create Nimble Teams and drive transformational change.