Courageous Leadership
Embracing Risk: Spearheading a New Era of Collaboration
In New Mexico, we’ve always known our state’s higher education landscape was unique. We are a vast state with a sparse population, and historically, access to education meant physical access. As a result, we have a system made up of 27 public colleges and universities, many of which operate independently with limited resources. For years, policymakers pushed for greater efficiency and collaboration, but the path forward wasn’t clear. In response, we came together to create the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS). Initially, CHESS was a partnership of five independent educational institutions that aimed to share tools, talent, and best practices to power seamless, student-friendly experiences and support the delivery of high-quality education and services that advance student success. Today, that partnership has grown to six .
Launching CHESS was not for the faint of heart. It required not only embracing the inherent risks of bringing multiple independently governed colleges together but also pushing against the natural resistance to change. It was a bold experiment in cooperation, innovation, and the belief that we could do more together than we ever could apart. But this is how we’ve always approached leadership: not as a pursuit of comfort, but as a journey to build something better for the future of higher education.
“Leading through innovation requires building the plane while flying it. You have to be comfortable with ambiguity and trust the process “
By Dr. Becky Rowley
President
Santa Fe Community College
Kathy Ulibarri
CEO
CHESS
Taking the Leap
The seeds for CHESS were planted long before the first official meetings. New Mexico’s colleges had been discussing the need for greater collaboration for years. We knew there was a problem—the strain on resources, the lack of efficiency, and the potential for duplication of efforts—but finding a solution required visionary thinking and, frankly, the willingness to take some risks.
When the idea of CHESS began to take shape, we faced the daunting challenge of rallying support. Not all colleges were ready to embrace change, and some preferred to wait and see how it would play out. But for us, the risk was clear: we could either take control of our future and work collaboratively, or we could allow outside forces to dictate changes that might not align with the needs of our students or our communities.
We knew that for this to work, we had to start with those willing to take the leap. And that’s exactly what we did. We built CHESS as a nonprofit, with each of the presidents of the participating colleges serving as board members, and established a clear governance structure. By doing so, we ensured that every institution had a voice and a stake in the outcomes.
The Challenge of Innovation
Implementing a shared system like Workday was a massive undertaking, and aligning the business processes across multiple colleges—each with their own unique culture, processes, and challenges—was no easy task. But one of the key principles we embraced was the necessity of aligning around best practices. This wasn’t just about sharing technology; it was about transforming the way we worked together.
At times, the resistance wasn’t in the technology itself but in the change it represented. For some institutions, particularly those with more sophisticated processes, the idea of aligning and streamlining systems felt like a step back. They saw it as introducing risk into something that already worked well for them. This is where courageous leadership came into play.
We often say that leading through innovation requires building the plane while flying it. You have to be comfortable with ambiguity and trust the process. In a project as complex as this, there were bound to be moments of doubt, and we faced them head-on by fostering open communication and leaning into our collective vision.
The beauty of CHESS is that it isn’t just a technical solution—it’s a community. The staff at our colleges work together more closely now than ever before, and they’ve developed professional relationships that transcend institutional boundaries. They’re collaborating not just because they have to, but because they see the value in doing so.
Lessons in Risk and Leadership
One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned through this process is the importance of trust. Trust in each other as leaders, trust in our colleagues, and trust in the process. We’ve had to remind ourselves that while the path isn’t always clear, we are exactly where we’re supposed to be.
Patience has also been key. When you’re leading change, not everyone will be on board from day one. Some need time, space, and additional information to come around. What’s important is that we remain transparent and consistent in our communication. As leaders, we’ve had to ensure that we’re always aligned, that we’re presenting a unified front, and that we’re committed to the vision.
This project has reinforced the idea that leadership isn’t just about making bold decisions—it’s about sticking with them, even when the going gets tough. It’s about recognizing that real, meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to the long-term vision.
Moving Forward
As CHESS continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which we work together. We’ve learned that collaboration on this scale is a process, not a destination. The challenges we’ve faced have only strengthened our resolve and proven that when we pool our resources and share our expertise, we can accomplish great things.
For other leaders considering a similar path, our advice is simple: think like an entrepreneur. Be prepared to embrace new ways of thinking, look outside of higher education for best practices, and be comfortable with ambiguity. This work is not for the risk-averse, but for those who believe that the future of higher education depends on bold, collaborative leadership.
We are proud of what we’ve built together, and we know that CHESS will continue to grow and thrive, bringing lasting benefits to the students and communities of New Mexico. In the face of uncertainty, we chose courage. And in doing so, we’ve created something extraordinary.
