High School to Higher Ed II (2025): A Father/Daughter Perspective

Kevin Cavanagh

Kevin Cavanagh has served the higher education industry for 28 years and stands as a distinguished figure known for navigating the evolving landscape of institutional viability, mergers and acquisitions, and enrollment management. With strategic acumen, Kevin has served as the Chief Enrollment Officer at five institutions, including Manhattan College, Iona University, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, The College of New Rochelle, and Bloomfield College. With a proven track record as an executive leader, Kevin has presented career insights on higher education mergers and acquisitions at conferences such as the Council of Independent Colleges and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s Annual Meeting. His emphasis on strategic partnerships, institutional mission, and commitment to students, faculty, and staff underscores his dedication to shaping the future of higher education. Uniquely positioned as the orchestrator of effective mergers and acquisitions, Kevin led two private institutions—The College of New Rochelle and Bloomfield College—through successful transformative processes. His work culminated in New Rochelle's teach-out with Mercy University and Bloomfield's merger with Montclair State University. Currently advising university boards and presidents, Kevin is a go-to authority for issues related to higher education mergers and institutional sustainability. Additionally, his strategic and crisis communication skills have played a pivotal role in developing effective and timely communications to internal and external constituents, including regulatory, governmental, and banking partners. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattan College, where he earned the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA from Manhattan College. With a commitment to students, faculty, and staff, Kevin envisions a higher education landscape where institutions thrive through strategic alliances, upholding their missions, and championing sustainability.