The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Valerie Williams will present Doctoral (PhD) research titled, The Effect of Organizational Change on Performance-Based Funding and Decision-Making at a State-Funded Historically Black College and University on 10/07/2026 at 1:00 pm ET in Zoom Meeting ID: https://tennessee.zoom.us/j/85690354788. Everyone is invited to attend.
Leadership and Decision-Making
Chair: Dr. David W. Rausch
Co-Chair:
Abstract:
ABSTRACT Performance-based funding (PBF) has become an increasingly common mechanism for allocating state resources to public higher education institutions; however, questions remain regarding its effectiveness and potential unintended consequences for historically underfunded institutions, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study examined the effect of organizational change on institutional performance and decision-making at a publicly funded land-grant HBCU in the southeastern United States operating within a PBF environment. Specifically, the study examined institutional changes associated with the implementation of the Complete College Tennessee Act (CCTA) and the Focus on College and University Success (FOCUS) Act and their relationship to student retention and graduation outcomes, organizational decision-making, and resource allocation. A mixed-methods within-case study design was used to integrate quantitative institutional outcome data with qualitative perceptions of senior academic and administrative leaders. Paired-samples t tests were used to compare retention and graduation rates before and after implementation of the CCTA and the FOCUS Act. The quantitative findings provided limited evidence that the legislative and organizational changes resulted in improved institutional outcomes. Retention rates declined significantly following implementation of the CCTA, while graduation rates did not change significantly. No statistically significant differences were identified in either retention or graduation rates following implementation of the FOCUS Act. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through an anonymous survey containing open-ended and Likert-scale questions addressing organizational change, leadership, communication, readiness for change, decision-making, and resource allocation. Qualitative findings revealed uneven understanding of the legislative changes, mixed perceptions regarding their organizational impact, and uncertainty regarding their operational implications. Despite this organizational ambiguity, participants generally expressed confidence in their individual ability to operate under new processes and expectations. The findings indicate that organizational change alone is insufficient to improve institutional performance within a PBF environment. Successful adaptation requires strategic leadership, transparent communication, stakeholder engagement, organizational alignment, data-informed decision-making, and continuous assessment. For historically underfunded HBCUs, effectively aligning institutional resources, processes, personnel, and mission with external performance expectations is critical to sustaining funding while maintaining access and advancing the institution’s educational mission.