Brian Weinblatt is the founder and principal of Higher Ed Consolidation Solutions (HCS), the global leader in college and university consolidation. With a distinguished career rooted in experience with the merger between the University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio, Brian’s expertise is enhanced by his doctoral research on decision-making in mergers, positioning him as a trusted figure in higher education mergers, acquisitions, and closures.HCS is built on the experience of a diverse team of seasoned professionals, including former college and university presidents, trustees, provosts, financial officers, academic healthcare administrators, and state legislators. These merger-tested experts have been at the forefront of some of the most significant higher education consolidations in the U.S. Their expertise spans critical areas such as governance, finance, academic affairs, student services, and advancement, ensuring that every merger HCS handles is meticulously planned and executed with precision and sensitivity.Notable projects led by the HCS team include the merger of Bloomfield College with Montclair State University, the merger of The University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio, the merger of Presidio Graduate School and the University of Redlands, and the merger of the University of Findlay and Bluffton University. The team’s work emphasizes the importance of blending organizational cultures, maintaining transparency, and guiding institutions through these transformations' financial, operational, and social complexities​.