We help post-secondary leaders think
strategically, act decisively, and connect meaningfully.
About US
We are Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA). Together with post‑secondary institutions, governments, and agencies, we deliver tailored, evidence‑based strategic consulting and policy analysis. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with leaders across academia and government to shape more equitable, effective, and future‑ready higher education systems in Canada—and beyond.
Strategic Planning & Governance
Strategic planning and governance advice for higher education, grounded in deep sector expertise and stakeholder insight.
Academic
Planning
We help institutions design market-relevant academic programs and can also help navigate regulatory approval processes in Ontario and B.C.
Institutional Improvement
Helping institutions solve operational and strategic challenges with research-driven, practical solutions for efficiency and impact.
Economic & Social
Impact Studies
We measure impact beyond numbers, showing how institutions drive opportunity, knowledge, prosperity, and community growth.
Publication
The State of Postsecondary Education in Canada 2026
The State of Postsecondary Education in Canada (SPEC) is an annually updated and freely available compendium of crucial higher education data that tracks trends in areas such as international student enrolment, enrolment by field, and student assistance. It is designed to provide administrators, faculty, researchers, and policy makers with analysis and insights that aggregates several data sources — saving time and effort.
Blog
One Thought to Start Your Day
One Thought to Start Your Day is our founder and CEO Alex Usher’s popular daily blog, brimming with up-to-the-minute insights and informed opinions on today’s higher education industry.
Podcast
Inside Italian Higher Education: Excellence, Affordability and Change
This podcast basically comes in three flavours. In one, we…
New Zealand’s Higher Education Crossroads
As I think I’ve mentioned before, New Zealand has one…
Featured
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are the red-headed stepchildren of post-secondary education in Canada, mainly because while the instruction is considered to be at a post-secondary level, the learners aren’t actually enrolled in any institution. Rather, they are employees who i) have been registered as apprentices and therefore have regulated wage rates and working/learning conditions while at work and […]
Subscribe to the Blog
Subscribe to have Alex Usher’s One Thought to Start Your Day blog sent straight to your email.