This study addresses university management from a comprehensive perspective that combines the process approach with vulnerability and risk management, highlighting its importance for continuous improvement in higher education institutions. An insufficiency is identified in the integration of risk management practices in the strategic planning of universities, which limits their ability to face crisis situations and adapt to rapid changes in the educational environment. Through a bibliometric analysis of 154 documents from the SCOPUS database (2020–2024), the relationships between key concepts in risk management in the university context are visualized, highlighting thematic areas such as risk assessment, accident and disaster prevention. Furthermore, the study presents a concept of vulnerability and risk management adapted to its context. The implementation of the process approach is analyzed as an effective method of standardization and continuous improvement, allowing better alignment with national and international standards. However, challenges remain such as lack of standardization and resistance to change. It is concluded that the integration of risk management in university planning is crucial to improve the resilience and competitiveness of institutions, and it is recommended to adopt a proactive and adaptive approach that includes continuous evaluation and compliance with global standards to face challenges present and future.