About CSM² Consult
Who We Are
CSM² Consult is a specialized advisory practice focused on strengthening compliance, ethics, and governance programs in higher education and the public sector.
The firm was founded to address a persistent gap between compliance program design and real-world execution. CSM² Consult brings a practical, governance-focused approach to evaluating program effectiveness and supporting institutions in managing operational risk.
Our Approach
CSM² Consult focuses on how compliance programs function in practice—not just how they are designed.
Our work emphasizes:
- Governance, risk, and internal controls
- Alignment between policy and operational reality
- Practical, implementation-focused solutions
- Training that reinforces real-world decision-making
We partner with organizations to ensure programs are not only well-designed, but effective, defensible, and sustainable.
Founder: Rica Calhoun, JD, CCEP
Rica Calhoun is the founder of CSM² Consult, bringing a governance-focused and practical approach to compliance program evaluation and improvement. Her work centers on helping institutions assess program effectiveness, address risk, and implement solutions that hold up in real-world environments.
Expanding Our Impact
CSM² Scholars is the training and capability-building arm of CSM² Consult, extending advisory work into structured, practitioner-led programs that support implementation and long-term effectiveness.
The initiative brings together experienced educators and practitioners to deliver training and learning programs grounded in real educational environments.
CSM² Scholars focuses on:
- Compliance and ethics training
- Policy-to-practice application
- Institutional capability-building
- Education-aligned program delivery
Insights and Thought Leadership
CSM² Consult shares perspectives on compliance program effectiveness, governance, and risk across higher education and the public sector.
Our insights focus on the practical challenges organizations face in designing, implementing, and sustaining effective programs.
Topics include:
- Evaluating compliance program effectiveness
- Aligning with DOJ expectations
- Strengthening governance and oversight
- Addressing gaps identified through audits and reviews