| This field study explored academic program changes that have occurred following a merger that created one higher-education system out of three once-separate systems in one upper-Midwest state. The qualitative study focuses on one comprehensive two-year college (formerly a co-located technical college and community college) created as a result of and simultaneously with the system merger.; The reasons for and results of mergers in industry and public and/or private education, as well as voluntary and involuntary mergers, are briefly discussed. The intentions and the desired results of the law that merged the systems in the upper-Midwest are also explained.; Changes in three separate academic programs at the site, conditions that led to the changes in the programs, processes of implementing changes, and results of changes were identified and described. Recommendations for managing change based on the findings were offered. |
