Hi there Reader, Higher education leaders are staring down some of the biggest systemic shifts we've seen in decades... Politically, financially, and operationally. This week’s edition spotlights strategies to lead through the uncertainty... and unlock new opportunities. The Metrics of Belonging: A Fresh Lens with Meacie FairfaxWe brought Meacie Fairfax (Strategy Director at Complete College America) back this week — but with a twist. Rather than just focusing on gateway courses or credit accumulation, Meacie pushes us to ask better, harder questions: 🔹 Are we measuring what matters? Meacie’s work urges institutions to reframe data as a tool for human-centered redesign, not just compliance. 🎧 Full conversation: Listen here Mutual Defense Compacts: Symbolism vs. Strategy?Faculty groups across the country are calling for "mutual defense" pacts against perceived federal overreach. But will these symbolic resolutions actually hold water? 🔹 Over a dozen major universities have passed resolutions — but no presidents have formally committed. 👉 Read the full Chronicle piece: More and More Faculty Groups Want Their Colleges to Stand Together Against Trump 🧠 Bottom Line: Aligning politically carries major risks — and demands a real operational strategy, not just statements. Apprenticeships 2.0: The White House’s New PushThe Trump administration (still operating amid chaos) declared a goal to reach 1 million new apprenticeships annually — from cyber to construction to healthcare. 🔹 Focus: "Modern apprenticeships" tied to in-demand fields. 📈 This could be an enormous opportunity for community colleges, regional publics, and adult learning programs to differentiate. 👉 Full article here: White House declares goal to reach 1M new apprentices per year Podcast Recap: Why Higher Ed Needs Better Customer JourneysIn this week’s external listening, the "GrowthTLDR" podcast featured sharp insights on customer journey mapping — and why most organizations fail. Key Takeaways for Higher Ed: 🎧 Worth a listen: GrowthTLDR: Why Your Customer Journey is Broken 🧠 What would it look like if we mapped advising, billing, communications, and student life from the student's perspective, not ours? Bonus: Is Your Institution Sitting on Untapped Savings?If your campus is still relying on static reports to surface budget gaps, you're missing out. 🔹 Find buried cost-savings in healthcare, contracts, staffing. Best, -Mike O’Connor O'Connor & Associates |
With 17 years of insider experience, I specialize in enhancing university operations and strategic planning through innovative, data-driven solutions. Receive succinct, powerful insights on using analytics and artificial intelligence to streamline operations, increase ROI, and make informed strategic decisions. Ideal for C-suite aiming to do more with less and navigate the complexities of modern higher education.
Hi there Reader, Here are few updates on the insides, and periphery, of the Academy.... 7 Campuses. One System. A Cautionary Tale. Penn State just approved plans to close 7 of its 24 campuses. While framed as “restructuring,” the real signal here is existential: Low enrollment, mounting deficits, and diminishing local pipelines have pushed even a land-grant flagship into retreat mode. 📉 Translation?This isn’t just a rural problem or a small-school story. The ground is shifting under everyone....
Hi there Reader, Higher education is navigating stormy waters: declining enrollments, stagnant faculty salaries, and looming endowment tax hikes are squeezing budgets. Yet, amidst the turbulence, strategic leaders are finding opportunities—leveraging alumni networks for revenue, rethinking strategy with data, and learning from EdTech’s missteps. This week, we unpack insights to help you steer your institution forward. Spotlight: What Founders Get Wrong About Higher Ed This week, I’m sharing a...
Hi there Reader, Hope your week is going as well as can be... We've got a lot to talk about this week, so let's dive in... The FAFSA Mess, Transparency Gaps, and a Smarter Model for Student Aid Guest: Chris Abkarians, Co-CEO of Juno Last week, I sat down with Chris Abkarians to unpack the FAFSA failure, the crumbling trust in federal aid systems, and the quiet emergence of more equitable models for student borrowing and pricing. A few takeaways: FAFSA Fallout Isn’t Just Tech: Chris makes it...