Throughout her career, Theresa Billiot held many university leadership positions, often juggling several roles at once. Her journey from tenured faculty member to top academic executive overseeing student affairs and enrollment management exposed her to various challenges in higher education. Billiot’s experiences revealed:

  1. Financial difficulties in enhancing academic programs
  2. Increasing pressure on deans to fundraise for their colleges
  3. The need to support the university as a whole financially

Through extensive conversations with education professionals across the country, Billiot identified recurring issues in higher education institutions:

  1. Insufficient funding for academic initiatives
  2. The necessity for more robust fundraising efforts at the college level
  3. Struggles to maintain financial stability while pursuing academic excellence.

Billiot’s firsthand experience in change-resistant universities, combined with insights from forward-thinking education professionals, highlighted the critical need for innovative approaches to resource allocation and fundraising. This realization ultimately led her to establish Higher Ed Change Agents, an organization aimed at addressing systemic financial and operational challenges in higher education.

A refined library at a university

Our Mission Statement

Breathing new life into academic operations through fundraising efforts to ignite long-term success

who we are

Higher Ed Change Agents help to solve the fundraising challenges facing academic enterprises. We work closely with you to keep your advancement efforts strong and successful, ensuring sustainable support for your academic mission.

why do we exist

Many universities aim to innovate academics, but often struggle due to a lack of financial resources. We help you focus on effective academic fundraising strategies to secure the necessary program support. This enhances academic programs and research initiatives, while benefiting students and the broader community.

who we serve

We serve universities and colleges facing funding challenges in their academic operations. 

what we provide

We provide training and comprehensive solutions, including a slate of live workshops. 

Our Core Beliefs

Academics Drive Economies

We view academics as a key factor that drives economic progress and development. 

Facts Guide Choices

We rely on facts and information to make decisions to make academics stronger. 

Honesty

We believe in being truthful and sincere in interactions, even when it’s difficult or challenging.

Results-Oriented

We focus on getting things done and meeting targets. We always look for better ways to work.

Combine Different Fields

We believe in embracing different ideas and methods to solve problems completely.

Human Connections

We value meaningful relationships, personal fulfillment, and positive contributions.