EMERGE’s Post

You've heard me say it before… higher education is stuck in the past. It's operating the same way for decades, maybe even centuries. I look around and see an industry in desperate need of reinvention. The current business model needs to be fixed - it needs to be built to truly serve the needs of today's learners and tomorrow's workforce. That said, all of the challenges provide us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move away from the status quo, questioning every assumption about how universities should operate, who they should serve, and what the ultimate endgame is. It starts with prioritizing students' interests, success, and upward mobility. From there, we're building new partnerships, creating specialized programs, and finding creative ways to deliver more considerable impacts with better economics. If higher education doesn't evolve, it will be left behind, which ultimately means our students and those we trust to change the world will be left behind and unable to adapt. As we prepare to celebrate a new class of students graduating to chart the path for our future, I am reminded all the more that students need us, and we need to be here to support them. How should we reshape higher education to ensure we are ready for the future?

Nothing will change until we change the financial structure of higher education. The burden of financing should be shifted to the student and the learning institution. Student need to become more selective in their choice of field and institutions vested in their students careers. Step one, remove federal loan guaranties. Step two make institutions cosigners or loan originators.

It was inspiring to join this cross-sector conversation on what it will take to move towards #equity in education in Massachusetts. I especially appreciated Turahn Dorsey's depiction of authentic learning environments as those that start with strengths (not deficits), create capabilities, immerse students in experiences, and expose young people to "master teachers" who may be industry practitioners, community historians, and other mentors. My thanks to the various excellent panelists and speakers from whom I gained these takeaways: - individually, we - as students and lifelong learners - need confidence and a belief in ourselves that we can do it - collectively, we - as business, political and educational leaders - need to collaborate and demonstrate the will power to make real change happen.

Title: The Transformative Power of Higher Education In today's rapidly evolving world, the value of higher education cannot be overstated. Beyond acquiring specialized knowledge and skills, pursuing higher education opens doors to personal growth, critical thinking, and broader perspectives. Universities and colleges serve as hubs of innovation and enlightenment, shaping the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow. At its core, higher education fosters intellectual curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Students engage in rigorous academic pursuits, delving into diverse subjects that challenge their preconceptions and expand their understanding of the world. Through interactions with peers and faculty members, they develop the ability to think critically, analyze complex issues, and articulate their ideas effectively. Moreover, higher education is a gateway to socioeconomic mobility. By obtaining advanced degrees, individuals enhance their career prospects and earning potential. Education empowers individuals to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society. However, access to higher education remains a privilege for many, highlighting the importance of addressing barriers such as affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity. In conclusion, higher education is not merely a means to an end but a transformative journey that enriches lives and shapes communities. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, investing in education is paramount to building a more equitable and prosperous future for all. It is through education that we unlock human potential and pave the way for progress and innovation.

Excited to share insights from Campus Sonar’s latest research on the state of trust in higher education! Our team of Strategists and Analysts spent weeks analyzing over 13,000 online mentions across social media, forums, and blogs to uncover the truth about how people perceive the value of college today. They found that many believe that college simply isn't "worth it" anymore due to skyrocketing costs and doubts about the practical value of degrees in today's job market and that choosing the "wrong major" had long-term financial repercussions for many. But there's hope! Many also said they recognized higher education’s potential for social mobility, and as learning organizations, campuses have the potential to drive positive change for individuals and communities. Higher education is a public good that we can't afford to lose. Rebuilding trust is crucial for higher ed to remain relevant and continue serving its audiences. My hope this report contributes to leaders working together to reform and reshape the narrative and ensure that individuals and communities continue to benefit from the transformative power of education. 🤓

Advanced courses can help students prepare for college and career success, but not all students have equal access to them. How can we address this inequity and ensure that more students of color and low-income students can enroll and thrive in advanced courses?  Learn more about the American Institutes for Research Equity Initiative-supported project, “Finding Robust Solutions: Documenting and Addressing the Advanced Course Access Inequity Issue.” In partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools, we are helping schools identify and support underrepresented students in advanced courses. https://lnkd.in/ecK7Xcn8 

More from the team at the Community College Research Center: Their report - DEEP Insights: Redesigning Dual Enrollment as a Purposeful Pathway to College and Career Opportunity - describes dual enrollment (DE) equity pathways (DEEP), a research-based framework for rethinking DE as a more equitable on-ramp to college programs of study. One of the DEEP practice areas is aligning DE course offerings to career-technical associate and bachelor’s degree programs in high-opportunity fields, which can provide students with family-sustainable, career-path jobs. That means mapping DE offerings to college degree programs, embedding DE offerings in career-connected high school programs, and developing and sharing data on just what are family-sustainable jobs in that part of the country. Click below to read more.

Higher education faces unprecedented challenges- rapid technological and societal changes calling for greater equity. The inaugural cohort of the Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education spent the last few years learning how to leverage institutional data and policy analysis to address these urgent needs. Explore their insightful research projects and how they hope to continue to address the urgent needs in the field of higher education: https://bit.ly/4a8SA4I

I spent some time this morning digging into the The Chronicle of Higher Education series about the challenges higher education institutions face around public perception. In looking at the data, one thing that stands out for me is we need to focus our storytelling and conversation more on graduate success and community impact. According to the data, many degree holders recognize the value of a degree. However, a much, much smaller number of people in the survey saw value in their local institutions and the ability of these institutions to impact the lives of graduates and their local community. If higher education institutions can more broadly talk about these outcomes - graduate success and supporting the community - in an easy to understand way, I think it would be a great first step in addressing the challenges of public perception. Also - highly recommend reading the series if you have a moment! #highered #highereducation #higheredmarketing #highereducationmarketing

An important and insightful read!