Organizational Renewal
Graduate School & Research Center

OVERVIEW
An academic graduate school offering advanced degrees in psychology that had not changed its operations or market approach for many years was facing a new competitive environment. During the transformation the president of the institution became ill and unable to remain in the role. The Dean of Academic Affairs was appointed interim president by the board of directors, with no prior executive management experience.

CHALLENGE
The newly installed president inherited an institution suffering from poor fiscal management, a business model and operation that had not been updated for years and new competitors entering the market with bigger budgets. This new executive needed support to take up her role.

ACTIONS
CWG designed an inclusive, yet accelerated planning and change process that was quickly supported by all stakeholder groups. Working with the board of directors, senior management and executive faculty, a new set of operating principles, and renewed sense of direction and target improvements were initiated. Individual coaching, team and board development, and large group events have punctuated this comprehensive change process. The transformation has had excellent momentum and results for the past four years.

RESULTS
In four years, the school has doubled its student body, doubled its development revenue, re-aligned its academic structure and concentrations to match market interests, recruited and developed a professional senior management team, expanded its faculty and continued to lead the way in the at-distance education model. The president is now in her third year and has been offered a new multi-year contract.

Case Study 9