For years, finance in higher education has worked quietly behind the scenes—essential, but rarely seen as a force for change. Budgets got balanced, reports got filed, and institutions moved forward... slowly. But what happens when that model starts to crack? When rising costs outpace tuition revenue, and the math that once worked no longer adds up?

It’s a moment of reckoning—and an opportunity.

In this episode of Navigating Change, Pete Wright is joined by Michael Gower, Andrew Simpson, and Howard Teibel—three leaders who are reimagining what’s possible when finance steps out of the back office and into the strategy room. They’re not just managing numbers; they’re reshaping mindsets.

Together, they explore a bold idea: that financial health isn't just about closing budget gaps—it’s about leadership, influence, and building a future-ready institution. Through the lens of the Rutgers University case study, they reveal how finance can become a catalyst for innovation rather than a barrier to it. They talk about navigating resistance, sparking breakthroughs, and embedding financial thinking into the DNA of decision-making.

So what does it really take to shift from financial survival to sustainability? Can higher ed let go of outdated models before it’s too late?

This isn’t just a conversation about money. It’s about power, persuasion, and the future of higher education. Because the real question isn’t whether universities can afford to change—it’s whether they can afford not to.

Links & Notes