How to Solve Higher Ed’s Change Problem

Change is rarely easy in higher ed. Governance structures, campus politics, and institutional tradition can all stand in the way.

When you're leading a transformation, whether it's centralizing communications, redesigning a service model, or launching a new brand, it helps to have a framework. One of the best I’ve found is the Beckhard-Harris Change Equation:

D x V x F > R

To overcome resistance (R), you need three things:

• Dissatisfaction with how things are now

• A compelling Vision for what could be

• Clear, actionable First Steps to get there

Here’s how this plays out on campus:

• Dissatisfaction: People need a reason to let go of the familiar. Listen carefully and surface pain points, whether that's inefficiency, missed opportunities, or unmet needs.

• Vision: It’s not enough to say, “We need to change.” You need to show what’s possible. Paint a picture of a more strategic work, a streamlined experience, or improved outcomes.

• First Steps: Vision without action leads nowhere. Give people a place to start, such as an audit, a pilot, or a small but meaningful shift that shows progress.

If you’re missing one of these components, resistance will likely win. But when all three are present and aligned, momentum builds.

Change will never happen overnight in higher ed, but it can be made easier with this framework.