If you work in the HR department of a college or university – particularly a small to mid-sized private school, you better tighten your seatbelts, because we are going on a bumpy ride. Several big things coming down the pipeline are going to affect your institution, and your leaders will be—or will need to be—looking to HR for solutions.
If you are a small to mid-sized institution, it’s likely you are heavily reliant on tuition for your income, and those tuition dollars are getting harder to find. The pending enrollment cliff, compounded by pressure from large online schools, is going to threaten your ability to recruit new students. Unless you offer some unique, high-value programs, or offer an incredible on-campus student experience, it will become harder to fill your incoming classes.
CUPA-HR just released research showing that over 57% of non-faculty higher education staff report being “Somewhat Likely” to “Very Likely” to quit in the next 12 months. The Chronicle just published a survey where 77% of respondents said that “higher education is a less appealing place to work than it was a year ago.” To top that off, HRDive.com just released a report showing that the average wage increase in 2023 will be 4.1%. I bet your institution is not planning to spend that much, and if not, your “desirability” as a workplace just dropped another notch.
Let’s face it, Higher Education is a people business. For most schools, salary and benefits are their largest expense. If you need to cut costs, you likely have to cut people, and nobody likes to do that.
You can cut salaries and benefits by implementing a hiring freeze, or you can offer some form of voluntary separation program. Both of those options let you avoid a reduction-in-force or retrenchment, but that does not mean they are good ideas. While those solutions may seem more “employee friendly,” they are just the opposite because they allow you to lose the wrong people. You see, the strongest swimmers are going to be the first to jump ship. If you let attrition reduce your staff, you’ll lose a lot of good people and the ones you retain won’t always be your best, or at least your most valuable, workers.
If you need to shrink your workforce, you need to do it strategically; to do that well, you need to engage your HR department. You need a robust, well-functioning, and accurate performance management system in place so you know who your best people are, and whom you might be able to do without. You need to know your succession plans so you know who is critical, and who’s not. You need to know who has talent that can be redeployed to another area, or to a different role. While it is difficult—and unpopular—you will be better off if you make the hard decisions about which people and positions to cut rather than if you simply let the good ones drift away until you have your expenses where you need them.
Then, when you decide to cut, cut deep. Don’t just cut enough so that you can balance the budget, cut more so that you can spend again. Take some savings and invest that in your survivors. Increase their pay, increase their rewards and recognition. Show them how much they are valued. Work hard to keep those strong swimmers on board, because without them, you’ll be doing this all over again.
One last thing: as you reduce the staff, make sure that you also reduce the work. If your enrollment is dropping, then in some areas there should already have been a reduction of work, and lower staff makes sense. But in other areas, reducing the staff and still keeping all the work will simply burn people out. Figure out what must be done and what you can do without, and make sure to balance the workload with the staff size.
In Higher Ed, cutting expenses usually means cutting people, and to do that well, you need to engage your HR team. Make data-driven decisions about people, jobs, work, and expenses. Make the hard decisions, and then work twice as hard to re-recruit the survivors. These are hard times, and hard times require hard decisions. And a strong HR team can help you make better decisions.
Roger Dusing, PhD, is a Senior Consultant and the Higher Education Practice Leader at OMNI. He previously served as Chief Human Resource Officer at Park University for eleven years. With over 40 years of HR experience, including 30 years in C-suite level roles, he looks forward to reflecting his passion for higher education in his work to bring affordable, high-quality HR services to small- to medium-sized colleges and universities.
Roger holds a PhD in Business Management, with a concentration in Human Resources from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. He also authored the book “I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable About the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.”
BRIANNA MOORE
Senior Search Consultant
Please stay tuned; bio is under construction.
TAMARA HUDSPETH
Benefits & Payroll Administrator
Tamara comes to OMNI with over five years of experience in payroll. She is well-versed in processing new hire and exit paperwork, and her advanced knowledge of HR principles and procedures with be an asset to OMNI’s HR outsourcing team. Prior to her new role at OMNI, she served as HR Assistant at Lewis Automotive, where she processed all payroll, commission, and benefits payments for 200 employees. Tamara has also worked as a court clerk for Rogers and Wagoner counties in Oklahoma. While in those roles, she was responsible for a variety of HR-related functions, including oversight of leaves, ADA compliance, tax withholdings benefits, the W2 process, and retirements.
MOLLY ADAMS
Operations Coordinator
Molly joined OMNI in 2020, and previously held the role of Human Resource Specialist for nearly three years. providing a wealth of support to the Outsourcing Team and to OMNI’s Outsourcing and Membership clients. In her new role, Molly will serve as the internal operations hub for OMNI. Her role as Membership Concierge will continue, and Membership clients can expect the same top-notch service Molly has always delivered in providing timely responses to requests for information, tools, and resources. In her spare time, Molly enjoys spending time with friends, family, husband and two young children, and enjoying all things Kansas City.
ANDREA PRESTON
Human Resource Specialist
Andrea Preston comes to her role at OMNI with nine years of experience in the tourism and recreation industry, most recently as Assistant General Manager at Headwaters Lodge & Cabins in Moran, WY, where she supervised and trained nine managers and oversaw 120 employees. She held previous manager roles at Grand Teton Lodge Company in Moran, WY; Lake Powell Resorts & Marina in Bullfrog, UT; and Club Wyndham Emerald Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, FL. Over the years, Andrea has garnered expertise in hiring, training, payroll, and a variety of HR issues, making her a perfect fit for working with clients at OMNI. In her spare time, Andrea likes to paint, explore the outdoors, and spend time with her family.
RACHEL WATERS
Search Coordinator
Rachel provides recruitment support to both our clients and the members of the Executive Search team. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Fort Hays State University. Prior to joining OMNI, she spent three years as a full-cycle recruiter for Yellow Corporation. In her spare time, she loves going to the dog park with her two dogs, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.
HOLLYN RIOS, SPHR
Outsourcing Manager
As an experienced HR leader, Hollyn is passionate about resolving misconceptions about HR through effective employee relations and training practices to retain employees and protect employers. Prior to joining OMNI, Hollyn held the role of Director of Talent Acquisition at Examinetics, where she specialized in strategic human resource planning and employee benefits design. As Human Resources Manager/HR Consultant at Lever1, she served as internal HR manager and worked with clients in all 50 states, specializing in learning and development, and customized training design. Hollyn has also held HR leadership roles with MyWorkChoice and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. In her spare time, Hollyn enjoys attending gymnastics, swimming, and track events for her two daughters and vacationing outdoors with friends and family.
KJ’s past roles include Director of Human Resources at Woodside, where she was the first to serve in such a role. While at Woodside, she implemented a new payroll system and was instrumental in streamlining operations and efficiencies through the development of new policies and procedures. She also optimized hiring and onboarding functions, restructured the performance review process, and assisted in staring up a new property management company. KJ has a long history of working with payroll and benefits and has held leadership positions at Hyvee, Home Depot, and Westar Foods. She is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother of three young grandsons.
TOM NAGEL, SPHR/SHRM-SCP
Senior Consultant
With 16 years of experience in human resources, Tom excels at ensuring that the HR function serves as a true partner. His commitment to building lasting, credible relationships will ensure that he is a valued resource and trusted advisor to OMNI client leaders. Prior to joining OMNI, Tom served as Senior Human Resources Leader at Polsinelli. He has also held HR leadership roles at Terracon and DST Systems. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Southern Illinois University. Tom is on the Board of Directors for the KC Care Health Center and has volunteered for Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care and AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City. In his spare time, Tom enjoys traveling, reading, and trying out new restaurants with friends.
JONNA BRANDEL
HR Consultant
Jonna comes to OMNI with 10 years of human resources experience and 15 years of risk management consulting experience. As an HR Consultant, she will provide strategic support to clients in recruiting, workplace safety, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and performance management. Prior to joining OMNI, Jonna was Partner and Senior Director of Client Services for The Brandel Group, a boutique consultancy specializing in providing independent, objective reviews of organizational and risk management challenges and needs. Other previous roles include Business Development and Project Manager at The Lion Partnership, as well as Insurance Analyst and Regional Director at Expense Reduction Analysts.
LAUREN TRACY
Recruitment Operations Manager
As OMNI’s Recruitment Operations Manager, Lauren serves as the operational hub for OMNI’s Talent Acquisition Team, including coordination of proposal development and administration; project tracking, monitoring, and reporting; and general oversight of departmental systems, processes, and quality control. Lauren comes to OMNI from Payne & Jones, Chartered, where she served as a Legal Assistant for almost seven years, and Front Desk Receptionist for just over a year. Her comprehensive experience in client relations and project management make her an excellent fit for her new role. When she is not at work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Karen serves as Senior Consultant to select outsourcing clients, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership. Karen provides HR guidance, coaching, and counseling for her clients, with an emphasis on start-ups and fast growth companies. Her background includes 13 years as Executive Director, HR Services, at Applebee’s International and Director of Training & Organizational Development at Gentiva Health Services. Karen attended the Executive Leadership Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In addition to her talents in HR, she is passionate about helping women achieve their full potential and has expertise in strategic business meetings and conferences, serving as President & CEO of her event management company.
ROGER DUSING, PHD
Senior Consultant & Higher Education Practice Leader
Roger comes to OMNI from Park University, where he served as Chief Human Resource Officer for eleven years. With over 40 years of HR experience, including 30 years in C-suite level roles, he looks forward to reflecting his passion for higher education in his work to bring affordable, high-quality HR services to small- to medium-sized colleges and universities.
Roger holds a PhD in Business Management, with a concentration in Human Resources from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. He also authored the book “I’m Fired?!? A Business Fable About the Challenges of Losing One Job and Finding Another.”
Roger enjoys spending time with his wife, two children, and four grandchildren. He and his wife are addicted to pickleball.
Debi joins the OMNI team with over twelve years of prior Human Resource experience in benefits, payroll, and associate relations. In her role at OMNI, she serves clients and their employees with all payroll and benefits related inquiries. Previously, Debi worked at the Kansas City Zoo in the Finance and Human Resources departments. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, watching movies, doing crafts and spending time outdoors – especially at her favorite place, Powell Gardens.
TERESA WESTHOFF
Employee Services Consultant
Teresa joins the OMNI staff with experience in payroll and other related human resource knowledge. She will be helping our clients by facilitating payroll, benefits and onboarding. She has a master’s degree in human resource management and enjoys the new challenges every day brings. When Teresa isn’t working, she enjoys working out, traveling, watching Netflix, and hanging out with family and friends.
ANN CRIPE
Senior Consultant
Ann is a strategic business partner and HR leader across multiple disciplines of human resources. With a passion for building strong partnerships with her clients, she enjoys understanding the business and providing solutions in the areas of employee relations, compliance, leadership development, talent management, recruiting, training, and compensation. She has over 25 years of human resources experience in a variety of industries including PEO, legal, technology, energy, insurance, and nonprofit. Ann has a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology with minors in Management and English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In her spare time, Ann enjoys wellness, interior design, hiking and spending time with her husband and daughter.
MEREDITH HAUCK
Senior Consultant
Meredith brings more than 15 years of multi-disciplinary executive-level leadership to her work with OMNI as a Senior Consultant. She is skilled in organizational structure and management, strategic communications, employee relations, and leadership development. Meredith also utilizes her training as a certified executive coach to guide and counsel individuals and teams. Meredith has a Bachelors’ degree in Journalism and a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Kansas. Outside of work, Meredith enjoys traveling, volunteering, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
STACEY COWAN
Senior Consultant
Stacey Cowan brings nearly seven years’ experience as Membership Director for the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce to her work with OMNI as a Senior Consultant. While at the Chamber, she led membership recruitment and retention efforts and represented the Chamber in the community, building an extensive network of relationships to strengthen local businesses. Prior to that, she held several leadership roles in the hospitality industry. Ms. Cowan’s wealth of community involvement and business development experience will be an enormous asset to OMNI’s steadily growing Executive Search practice.
KELI TUSCHMAN
Senior Consultant
With 20 years’ experience working in HR, Keli views herself as a businessperson, as well as an HR professional. Her background in accounting has also been a plus for her understanding of the business environment that HR supports. Keli has worked in the energy sector for Koch Industries and Merrill Lynch, in Higher Ed and K-12 education, and has served on several non-profit boards. She is a strategic partner who can provide services in all areas of human resources to support your business needs. Keli and her husband have two high school age children and love all that the Kansas City area has to offer families.
Prior to joining OMNI Human Resource Management talent acquisition team in 2020, Ms. Hoffman led the talent acquisition teams at Kansas City Southern Railway and Sprint world headquarters. She has over 30 years’ experience in HR management and talent acquisition and is recognized for partnering with senior leaders to identify needs, translating them into initiatives that attract, develop, and retain top talent. Ms. Hoffman holds a graduate MSM degree from Baker University and a BS degree from Pittsburg State University. Outside of work Karen enjoys traveling both domestically and overseas.