Blog
April 25, 2023
Always striving to Invent the Future, Attain Partners was named the Salesforce.org 2022 Consulting Partner of the Year – Education and achieved the acclaimed Salesforce Summit Partner status in 2022. Now, we’re spotlighting the experts behind our innovative Salesforce solutions in our Team for Speed series.
Meet Jim Meyer, a seasoned higher education technology professional and Senior Manager at Attain Partners. Jim brings more than 20 years of consulting experience in the industry as well as four years of leadership experience as Chief Information Officer of the Higher Learning Commission.
We sat down with Jim to learn about his expertise, industry experience, and how he works with Attain Partners to Invent the Future.
Attain Partners (AP): What brought you to Attain Partners?
Jim Meyer (JM): I was attracted to Attain Partners because of its excellent reputation and dedication to customer service. The team’s extensive experience in the nonprofit and higher education industries is impressive, as the company has a track record of helping organizations achieve their strategic goals and navigate complex challenges.
What stood out to me most was Attain Partners’ focus on innovation and technology, constantly seeking new ways to help clients operate more efficiently while keeping up with industry trends and best practices. Attain Partners truly values its clients and is dedicated to their ongoing success. I’m thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking organization, and I’m eager to contribute to its continued growth and success.
AP: What did you do before joining Attain Partners?
JM: Before joining Attain Partners, I had over 20 years of experience in higher education technology. For the past four years, I worked as a consultant, providing innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency, enhance the student experience, and support strategic planning initiatives. Prior to that, I served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Higher Learning Commission, the largest and oldest accrediting organizations in the United States. In this role, I led the development and implementation of the Commission’s technology strategy.
AP: What do you like most about the work you do?
JM: What I enjoy most about the work I do at Attain Partners is the opportunity to make a real and meaningful impact on the success of our clients. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with institutions to understand their unique challenges and goals and to help develop tailored solutions that meet their specific needs. It’s very satisfying to see the impact of our work when we successfully help an organization improve operations or reach a new level of excellence.
AP: What are the biggest ways you’ve seen advancement efforts impact organizations?
JM: I have observed that advancement efforts impact organizations in three significant ways. Firstly, successful advancement efforts lead to increased financial resources for an organization. Fundraising campaigns and building strong relationships with donors can help universities support programs and projects while minimizing tuition increases.
Secondly, advancement efforts can improve an organization’s relationship with its alumni. Meaningful opportunities for alumni engagement—such as mentorship programs, networking events, and volunteer opportunities—can strengthen ties with the alumni network and build a community of supporters who are invested in the organization’s success.
Lastly, effectively communicating the organization’s mission and sharing success stories can not only increase awareness, but it can also inspire greater support from stakeholders.
AP: Can you share an example of a project you’re especially proud of?
JM: I am proud of leading the project at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) to replace most of the university’s administrative and academic systems with a tight deadline of 18 months and a limited budget. The project required collaboration with various stakeholders to assess the university’s needs, evaluate potential solutions, and modernize the systems while staying within budget. Despite the challenges, my team delivered high-quality technology and process modifications on time and within budget.
The new systems significantly improved the university’s operations, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness while aligning with IIT’s mission and values. Overall, it was a challenging project, but the impact of our efforts on the university and its stakeholders was rewarding.
AP: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
JM: One of the most challenging aspects of this position is managing scope and ensuring the project stays focused on its defined objectives while also being open to the possibility of making incremental enhancements. This requires a delicate balance between staying true to the original strategic goal or outcome and being flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances or opportunities for improvement.
AP: What or who do you read/watch/follow to keep current?
JM: I am a member of SIM-Chicago (Society of Information Management), and I also attend EDUCAUSE and Evanta conferences. I visit websites including The Chronicle of Higher Education and CIO.com on a daily basis and subscribe to several CIO/CTO blogs and news websites. Additionally, I like to check out LinkedIn Learning from time to time.
AP: What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
JM: Anything that allows me to be active and away from a desk. This includes motorcycle riding, biking, traveling with my wife, working on cars, gardening, skiing, etc.
AP: What is your preferred energizing food/beverage?
JM: I could eat M&M’s all day long.
Attain Partners – Salesforce Experts
No matter if your organization is beginning its Salesforce journey or 10+ years into development, Attain Partners is here to help you achieve your goals. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you advance your mission by harnessing the power of Salesforce.
To learn more, check out our Salesforce Innovation services, read case studies about our transformative work, and explore blog posts from our Salesforce experts. Read our latest advancement insights here.
