How University Leaders Can Transform Institutions with Program Realignment and Scalable Mental Health Services

40% of California’s licensed doctoral psychologists come from one university that nearly failed a decade ago. Their turnaround didn’t come from diversifying programs or chasing enrollment—it came from making the hardest decision in higher ed: cutting what wasn’t excellent.

In this episode of the Changing Higher Ed® podcast, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with Andy Vaughn, President and CEO of Alliant International University, about how institutional leaders can drive university transformation by making tough calls, realigning programs, and embedding scalable mental health support into their core operations.

Drawing from Alliant’s strategic shift, Vaughn explains why program focus and transparent leadership are more effective than traditional diversification models. He shares how embedding mental health services into academic programs created both a market advantage and a support system for students, faculty, and staff.

Topics Covered:

• Why eliminating underperforming programs can drive institutional transformation

• How program realignment strengthens financial stability and market positioning

• Embedding scalable mental health services into academic programs and operations

• The leadership imperative: transparency, inclusion, and decisive action

• Codifying organizational values to guide behavior and decision-making

• Managing faculty-administration relations with professionalism and respect

• Preparing for unprecedented policy and legislative changes impacting higher ed

Real-World Examples Discussed:

• Alliant International University’s strategic focus on licensure-driven programs

• The integration of Alliant Clinics, providing community mental health services

• Leadership communication practices to maintain trust during operational changes

• Partnering with psychology schools for scalable mental health service delivery

Three Key Takeaways for Leadership:

1. Codify and normalize institutional values so that decision-making and behaviors align across all levels.

2. Be transparent with stakeholders about challenges and solutions, fostering trust and shared ownership of outcomes.

3. Involve the entire institution—including part-time staff—in transformation efforts to ensure unified execution during critical periods.

This episode offers a practical framework for institutional leaders navigating transformation, operational challenges, and the rising demand for campus-wide mental health support.

Recommended For: Presidents, trustees, provosts, CFOs, student affairs leaders, and higher education executives focused on institutional sustainability and student success.

Read the transcript: https://changinghighered.com/university-transformation-program-focus-scalable-mental-health/

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