Beyond Cost-Cutting: Expanding Shared Services in Higher Education

Beyond Cost-Cutting: Expanding Shared Services in Higher Education

Universities are under increasing pressure to do more with less - rising costs, declining enrollment, and operational inefficiencies make it clear that the traditional decentralized model is no longer sustainable. Shared Services Centers (SSCs) offer a solution but expanding them beyond HR and IT requires strategic planning, stakeholder buy-in, and the right technology.

In this article, we explore:

✔ Why SSC expansion is no longer optional—and what’s driving institutions to act now

✔ The key benefits of scaling Shared Services beyond administrative functions

✔ The biggest challenges institutions face—from faculty resistance to governance complexity

✔ Proven strategies and case studies from universities successfully expanding SSCs