Strategic Consulting for Higher Education
Helping Learning Organizations Improve and Thrive
GSH Education Group provides colleges and universities with the strategic planning, accreditation, and program evaluation expertise needed to drive measurable organizational success.
Strategic Planning & Environmental Scanning
Anticipate market shifts with comprehensive environmental analysis. We provide data-driven insights that inform strategic planning, enrollment forecasting, and program development.
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Population trends & enrollment pipeline analysis
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Education landscape & competitive positioning
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Workforce demands & occupational forecasting
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Policy shifts & funding opportunities
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Technology trends & learning preferences
Accreditation & Quality Assurance
Approach accreditation with confidence, guided by an HLC Peer Reviewer. We help institutions build genuine quality and document it effectively.
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Gap analysis & readiness assessments
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Assurance argument review & development
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Mock site visits & preparation
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Evidence organization & federal compliance
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Interim report response & action planning
Program Evaluation, Applied Research & AI Training
Assess effectiveness and drive improvement with rigorous program evaluation. We deliver actionable insights that inform decision-making and strengthen accountability.
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Logic models & Program evaluation design
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Qualitative & quantitative research
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Statistical analysis & data visualization
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Grant evaluation & compliance reporting
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AI training
Our Services
OUR CLIENTS
TESTIMONIALS
Brian – Director, Student Success Grants, CCC
"What sets Tom apart is not only his technical proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies but also his collaborative approach."
Kelli – Center for Applied Research in Education, USC
"I cannot remember attending a webinar where I was so eager to start using my new knowledge immediately."
Carrie - AZ Community College
"Dr. Hughes' deep understanding of the community college sector and its needs and challenges, as well as his expertise in data sources and uses, made him an invaluable partner in this work."
Our Team
Tom Hughes, Ph. D.
Tom Hughes is the Founder and President of the GSH Education Group. With over 25 years of experience in education, Tom has actively shaped the educational
landscape as a senior administrator and independent consultant.
Before higher education, Tom worked in the healthcare industry for both private and public organizations. Dr. Hughes served in various research capacities as a
statistician, human capital analyst, and epidemiologist.
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Tom holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University and an M.A. and B.S. in Sociology from Arizona State
University.
In his free time, Tom enjoys traveling with his family, camping, running, and mountain biking.
Robert Finnegan
Robert brings over 25 years of leadership experience across both for-profit and non-profit sectors, with expertise spanning technology, operations, and analytics.
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Throughout his career, he has excelled at transforming raw data into meaningful insights and turning those insights into strategic action. His innovative approach has led to the development of performance metrics that have driven revenue growth, as well as algorithms designed to minimize risk and reduce losses.
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A lifelong learner, Robert holds degrees from Arizona State University and Keller Graduate School of Management. He thrives in dynamic environments, leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and create lasting impact.
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Beyond work, Robert is an avid runner who enjoys early morning runs. He also finds joy in gardening—despite being more "kiss of death" than "green thumb." A passionate traveler, he loves venturing to less-traveled destinations, seeking out undiscovered places, and broadening his perspective one journey at a time.