Transform Strategy into Results for Colleges and Universities
In higher education, strategy isn’t just about vision, it’s about choices, focus, and execution. Higher Digital helps presidents, provosts, CIOs, and boards turn bold ideas into lasting institutional impact.
Who We Help
Presidents: Cut through complexity and focus your leadership team on outcomes that matter.
Provosts: Align academic priorities with strategic goals and sustainable planning cycles.
CIOs: Translate technology investments into institutional value with governance, SPM, and agile execution.
Led by Joe Gottlieb, President and CTO of Higher Digital, our strategy consulting services bring clarity, structure, and momentum to your most important initiatives.
Why Now?
Higher education is facing a perfect storm of demographic shifts, economic pressures, AI disruption, and evolving learner demands. Institutions must adapt quickly, but without aligned execution of strategy, even the best plans fall short.
Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM) is the bridge between intent and impact. It enables institutions to prioritize initiatives, align stakeholders, and respond dynamically to change.
That’s why our consulting work is more than advice, it’s a catalyst for sustainable transformation.
Strategy-Led by Joe Gottlieb
Joe Gottlieb, President & CTO of Higher Digital, is a strategy and operations executive with 25+ years of experience leading transformation across tech and higher education. He has:
- Led strategic planning and execution for 10+ enterprises
- Published transformation discussions with over fifty higher ed presidents, provosts, and CIOs
- Built and scaled a $300M global business at Nokia
- Orchestrated M&A and IPO readiness as SVP of Strategy at SailPoint
- Raised $20M+ in venture funding as a tech CEO
Strategy development
We help you craft a differentiated strategy optimized for your strengths, market realities, and future ambitions. From SWOT and scenario planning to Blue Ocean analysis, we build strategies that are clear, focused, and aligned.
Strategic planning
Through inclusive, data-driven planning cycles, we help institutions connect mission to execution. Our approach activates leadership alignment, stakeholder engagement, and scalable roadmaps for growth.
Operational strategy execution
Plans mean nothing without follow-through. We embed strategic portfolio management, change management, and execution discipline to ensure strategy sticks and adapts.
Find the friction. Clear the path.
In just 90 minutes, we help executive teams identify the hidden blockers slowing transformation—from unclear governance and slow decisions to tech constraints and low engagement.
You leave with a heatmap of high-friction zones, leadership insights, and clear next steps to build momentum.
Why Higher Digital
- Built for Higher Ed: We understand the people, politics, and priorities of colleges and universities.
- Proven Frameworks: Our methodology blends higher ed nuance with strategy models that work across sectors.
- Executive-Led: All engagements are led by Joe Gottlieb, a veteran in strategy, tech, and institutional transformation.
Who we help
Presidents: Cut through complexity and focus your leadership team on outcomes that matter.
Provosts: Align academic priorities with strategic goals and sustainable planning cycles.
CIOs: Translate technology investments into institutional value with governance, SPM, and agile execution.
Let’s build what’s next
Whether you’re revisiting a strategic plan or tackling enterprise-wide transformation, we’re ready to help.
Prefer to get to know Joe first? Explore his insights and style on the TRANSFORMED Podcast