Develop: How Can Higher Education Institutions Redesign Benefits to Deliver Cost Savings Without Eroding Trust or Value?

  • How can HR teams in higher education balance financial mandates with employee expectations in a politically and culturally sensitive benefits environment?
  • What data sources (employee surveys, enrollment behavior, cost‑to‑impact modeling) are most effective in guiding benefits decisions and building credibility with campus stakeholders?
  • How can institutions identify benefits changes that are cost‑positive while still strengthening recruitment, retention, and morale for both staff and faculty?
  • What governance and communication approaches help benefits redesign feel transparent and values‑aligned rather than purely cost‑driven?