As institutions across higher education face rapid transformation, the 2025 Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO) Annual Meeting in Miami, Florida, offered forward-looking solutions for finance and administrative leaders. Through engaging sessions, experts addressed how institutions can leverage data, people, and technology to meet the challenges of today and build resilience for tomorrow.
Here are some takeaways from this year’s event:
1. Strategic Analytics: Creating Capacity Through Playbooks and Collaboration
Institutions increasingly understand that data is only as valuable as the strategy behind it. One standout session explored NACUBO’s Change With Analytics Playbook, a comprehensive guide developed with support from the Gates Foundation to help institutions assess their analytics maturity, define data governance roles, and cultivate data literacy communities.
Key recommendations included:
- Conducting analytics self-assessments and SWOT analyses to map institutional capabilities.
- Establishing centralized data governance models with clear role definitions to ensure accountability.
- Fostering a data-literate culture by providing training and aligning analytics efforts with institutional strategy.
Real world examples were shared on how colleges and universities are implementing the playbook to streamline data usage and encourage responsible analytics across departments.
2. Succession Planning: Building a Pipeline for Sustainable Leadership
With an aging leadership population and increasing turnover, the importance of succession planning in higher education cannot be overstated. This session on internal talent development emphasized proactive planning to minimize operational disruptions and preserve institutional knowledge.
Effective succession planning involves:
- Identifying and developing high-potential talent through leadership training, cross-functional assignments, and mentorship.
- Documenting institutional processes to ensure continuity when leadership transitions occur.
- Creating a culture of knowledge sharing that promotes collaboration and supports long-term resilience.
A key takeaway from the presentation was that succession is not just about replacement, it’s about building a lasting legacy.
3. AI Governance: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the higher education landscape—but without clear governance, institutions risk falling behind or misusing the technology. A session on AI governance provided frameworks for building ethical, practical policies that safeguard data privacy, academic integrity, and institutional reputation.
Best practices for AI governance include:
- Creating centralized policies that align with campus norms, FERPA, HIPAA, and cybersecurity standards.
- Establishing AI steering committees with cross-functional stakeholders to manage risk and ethics.
- Providing ongoing education to ensure responsible AI use across departments and research efforts.
AI should be embraced—but only with clear boundaries that protect students, faculty, and institutional data.
4. Compliance and Subrecipient Monitoring: Enhancing Oversight and Efficiency
As federal compliance requirements grow increasingly complex, strong subrecipient monitoring practices are essential for institutional success. Under Uniform Guidance, subrecipients that help carry out the execution of a federal funded program must be monitored to ensure accountability and adherence to the terms of the contract.
To meet these standards, pass-through entities (PTEs) should:
- Include detailed award information in sub agreements.
- Conduct risk assessments, evaluating factors such as audit history and system changes.
- Monitor subrecipient performance and financial reporting.
- Follow up on deficiencies and ensure access for audits and evaluations.
Forward-thinking institutions are focusing on process improvements, such as streamlining invoicing and adopting workflow automation. These steps reduce administrative burden and enable compliance professionals to concentrate on higher-risk activities.
Looking Ahead
As colleges and universities continue to navigate financial pressures, workforce transitions, and technological disruption, adopting forward-thinking strategies is critical.
If you have any questions or need assistance addressing the above items, our team is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re committed to supporting your institution’s success in navigating the future of higher education.
This material has been prepared for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. Should you require any such advice, please contact us directly. The information contained herein does not create, and your review or use of the information does not constitute, an accountant-client relationship.
