Richard Alfred is professor of higher education in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. The author of more than 150 books, articles, and monographs on organizational strategy, leadership and management, effectiveness, and change management, his award-winning 2005 book Managing the Big Picture in Colleges and Universities: From Tactics to Strategy ushered in a new way of thinking about management in colleges and universities. During a 40-year career, Dr. Alfred has worked with several hundred colleges in designing strategy, strategic plans, institutional effectiveness models, and transformational strategies to enhance organizational performance. Christopher Shults is a Ph.D. candidate and Rackham Merit Scholar in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. He has authored several books and journal articles on organizational strategy, effectiveness, and leadership.

Ozan Jaquette is a Ph.D. candidate in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. He has authored several journal articles relating to community college funding policy and has a deep interest in policy initiatives affecting access to college and student and institutional performance. Shelley Strickland worked for more than a decade in collegiate communications and development prior to entering the doctoral program in higher education at the University of Michigan. She has taught at community colleges and universities, including developing a curriculum in philanthropy and development for Michigan undergraduates.