Why HBCUs Should Hire Expert Industry Leaders as Consultants

HBCUs have a potential to excel within limits they thought impossible to reach in a short amount of time by taking these strategic steps. With hiring expert industry leaders as consultants, HBCUs can leverage their insights and expertise. Working with university consultants like White Coat|White Collar, can enhance the universities operational efficiency, strategic planning, and overall effectiveness of achieving their organizational and educational goals.?

Would you trust a doctor with no medical experience? No.

This is why real world expertise is vital when trusting a consulting company to fulfill your desired outcomes. An institution should hire a consultant with real world expertise because each higher educational consultant provides distinct specialized knowledge and skills that may not be available elsewhere. According to data from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), it has been reported that universities can save about 5 to 15% on operational cost and improve student retention rates when implementing consulting strategies.

Furthermore, as stated by Changing Higher Ed, higher education consultants possess extensive insights into what works and what doesn’t within the sector, having witnessed a range of successful and unsuccessful strategies. In connection to avoiding pitfalls,? A study by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), discovered that institutions who engaged with consultants had new program enrollments increased by 20% within two years, emphasizing the effectiveness of expert advice in curriculum development and marketing strategies.?

With all of this specialized knowledge, universities can unlock full potential to networks and connections by utilizing the invaluable partnerships that the expert consultants hold. Networking is important because universities will be able to have access to vast industry leaders that can help them access key stakeholders and other potential partners. Universities can collaborate with partners on grants and projects that will benefit them and their partners. When it comes to funding, there will be higher access to donors by expanding through networking while also creating a strategic plan with their consultant to leverage already existing partners for more school funding. A report led by? Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), states that universities that actively engage with industry professionals via consultants see a 25-30% increase in opportunities. If the universities network with consultants, it will open doors for consultants to introduce students to potential employers to get job placements.?

For instance, the White Coat Ceremony engaged 300 participants, including faculty, staff, and students across various academic levels. The program has shown that students gain increased confidence and clarity in their career paths, with aspirations ranging from becoming physicians to forensic scientists and biomedical researchers. Additionally, the STEM Networking Event tailored for STEM students provided targeted networking opportunities, which led to internships and new job prospects for participants.?

The most important point is that hiring a university consultant is the most financially efficient method to improve your university. For example, engaging with White Coat White Collar? enables universities to avoid the substantial costs associated with hiring a permanent employee who may not possess the specific skill set required. Hiring a full-time consultant could involve an annual salary, which, depending on the expertise, can range from $70,000 to $120,000, not including benefits and overhead costs. Typically, working with university consultants would cost $100 to $300 per hour depending on their expertise.? Even at higher hourly rates, the overall cost of hiring a consultant for specific projects is typically lower than hiring a full-time staff member with the same level of specialized knowledge, particularly when factoring the avoidance of long-term commitments and benefits costs.

In contrast, White Coat White Collar? offers a more flexible financial solution. For instance, their Career Readiness Program?? engaged students and professionals, with specific project-based support. The program delivered significant results, such as boosting students' career confidence and connecting them with industry professionals, without the ongoing financial burden of a full-time salary.

HBCUs can achieve remarkable growth by hiring expert consultant leaders like White Coat White Collar?. Consultants can enhance the university's operations through invaluable networking, industry insights, student job placements, and funding. Universities should strongly consider hiring a consultant to save time and energy while optimizing resources.?