Building Sustainability Through Collaboration: Case Study Findings

The Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS) is transforming higher education in New Mexico through voluntary cross-college collaboration and the use of modern technology. By uniting six independent community colleges under a shared cloud-based platform, CHESS has streamlined core administrative systems and positioned student success at the center of its mission. This work not only demonstrates how aligning business processes and resources can drive efficiency and equity but also sets a national example for how higher education institutions can collaborate to serve their students and communities better.

Outcomes for our member colleges include:

  • Improved Student and Employee Impact: Approximately 48,000 students and 7,000 employees statewide benefit from more efficient, student-centered systems.
  • Reduction in Audit Findings: Member colleges have seen a 52% reduction in audit findings, particularly benefiting institutions that previously lacked dedicated financial officers.
  • Operational Modernization: All participating colleges have experienced improved operational stability and modernization, transitioning from manual processes to advanced systems.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Faculty and staff across institutions now engage in professional collaboration, fostering a growing network for shared problem-solving.
  • Legislative Confidence: The New Mexico Legislature views CHESS as a successful model for voluntary collaboration, reducing calls for a centralized statewide system.
  • Focus on Student Success: By modernizing systems and reducing administrative burdens, CHESS enables colleges to redirect staff time and resources toward student-facing initiatives, improving the overall student experience.

These outcomes demonstrate how CHESS has positively transformed the operations and culture of New Mexico’s member colleges, benefiting both students and staff.

Read the full case study here.