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.
Consultant Secrets Revealed (And a few insights from Mike O'Connor)
Hey Reader,
I hope all is smooth sailing at [COMPANY GOES HERE].
Quick heads-up: you're now part of my exclusive newsletter circle.
Why?
Because novel insights should be shared, not shelved.
Here are few nuggets I hope you find useful...
IPEDS Data + Chat GPT = A Goldmine Unlocked
Navigating the data-rich seas of IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Data System) can be overwhelming.
Paired with Chat GPT, and you can turn cumbersome data into actionable insights. [Explore the Transformation via my dorky video]
The Untapped Frontier: Social Media Ghostwriting
Rubbing shoulders with Dakota Robertson, one of the top social media ghostwriters, I’ve gleaned some eye-opening insights.
Surprisingly, higher ed seems to be missing out on leveraging the brand power of their Presidents through ghostwriting. [Ghost Writing as defined by Dakota]
Buzzword Alert: Gen AI
Prepare to hear more about Gen AI – technology creating content beyond its programming, including text, images, and more.
This McKinsey article delves into the strategic resource allocation and the pivotal role of leadership in harnessing Gen AI’s potential. [Read the McKinsey Insight]
Professional Development Gem: The Consultant’s Toolkit
Ever seen external consultants under deliver? (I have...)
Harvard’s latest professional development offering caught my eye as an interesting way to develop talent.
If I were still in a President's Office role, I'd find ways to fund training for high-performing Junior Staff to learn Consulting basics.
Your Thoughts Matter
Reader, your insights are invaluable.
What topics, articles, or information would you like to see more of?
Drop me a line with your thoughts (please!).
Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovery and innovation.
Warm regards,
-Mike O’Connor
O'Connor & Associates
Hi, I'm Mike!
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, The headlines don’t tell the full story—but the data and experts do. This week, we dive into political risks facing your campus narrative, why predictive AI may be your secret weapon, and what enrollment shifts by race mean for your institutional future. Candid Conversation with Nick Anderson (ACE)Higher Ed's Trust Crisis Isn’t a Marketing Problem. It's a Local ROI Problem. Nick Anderson, senior leader at the American Council on Education and longtime Washington Post...
Hi there Reader, This week’s newsletter is a bit of a special edition... More AI volatility, new market signals for campus real estate, and the latest Harvard vs. Trump legal drama. As always: fast takes, second-order insights, and resources to help you navigate Higher Ed’s next moves. 👇 Onward: AI in Flux: New Video Tools, GPT-5 Timeline, Meta’s Talent Wars The AI arms race keeps accelerating: Midjourney launched its first AI video model (V1), turning images into 5-sec clips—extensible to 21...
Hi Reader, This Week’s Big Ideas: Why Small Wins > Big Visions, Türkiye’s EdTech Pivot, and the Senate’s Higher Ed Shakeup 1. Want to Thrive in the Age of AI? Think Small. Based on: Derek Sivers’ “Round” Philosophy + Kevin Kelly’s “1000 True Fans” The future won’t reward scale for scale’s sake. “To surf above the tsunami, I suggest one human-scale win at a time.” In a higher ed world that obsesses over growth, rankings, and transformation, we might need to go the other way: Build resonance...