Iowa-based college and university marketing firm RuffaloCODY acquires consultant Noel-Levitz

A Cedar Rapids-based company that provides fundraising and enrollment management services to colleges and universities announced Thursday the acquisition of a company that specializes in higher education consulting and research.

RuffaloCODY, founded in Cedar Rapids in 1991, is acquiring Noel-Levitz, which has offices in Coralville and Denver, Colorado.

The deal combines two privately held companies into an integrated provider of services designed to help colleges and universities meet fundraising and enrollment goals. The combined company will employ about 700 workers.

"Institutions are operating in an increasingly competitive, demanding and fluid environment while simultaneously being asked to do more with less and meet challenging enrollment and fundraising objectives," said Duane Jasper, president and CEO of RuffaloCODY, in a statement. "Success in this environment requires a new, more holistic and strategic approach. In joining forces with Noel-Levitz, we are positioned to help institutions meet their goals for enrollment and fundraising — and thrive in ways they never before could."

The two companies work with about 1,800 colleges and universities providing technology, research, consulting and professional development programs, among other services.

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Duane Jasper will remain president and CEO of RuffaloCODY and Kevin Crockett, the Noel-Levitz CEO, will be president of the new combined enrollment division.