Navigating Financial Realities in Higher Education: A Conversation with Rebeka Mazzone
In this two-part conversation on EdUp Accreditation Insights, my cohost Laurie Shanderson and I sat down with Rebeka Mazzone, Principal at FuturEdFinance. With decades of experience in financial strategy, Rebeka works with colleges and universities facing some of the toughest questions about long-term viability.
In Part One, Rebeka mapped out the financial challenges confronting higher education—especially for smaller, tuition-dependent institutions. She explained how pressures from enrollment shifts, escalating costs, and changing demographics create a fragile financial picture, and she offered practical approaches for leaders trying to navigate those realities. Her insights made clear that financial stewardship isn’t just about survival; it’s about positioning institutions for resilience and purpose in a competitive landscape.
Part Two shifted into an even more pressing issue: the “race to the bottom.” As institutions discount tuition deeper and deeper to attract students, the sector risks eroding not only its financial stability but also the very perception of value in higher education. Rebeka underscored how short-term fixes—designed to meet the next recruitment cycle—can weaken an institution’s ability to thrive in the long run. The challenge, she argued, is to align pricing, value, and mission in ways that build trust rather than undermine it.
For presidents, trustees, and accreditation leaders, this conversation is essential listening. It highlights both the urgency of today’s financial pressures and the strategic choices that will determine whether institutions remain viable tomorrow. Rebeka’s perspective is both sobering and hopeful—a reminder that while the challenges are real, so too are the opportunities to lead with clarity and foresight.