Hi there Reader,
I hope you are navigating challenges with your usual tenacity and insight.
Staying ahead means continuously seeking out tools and resources that not only meet current demands but also anticipate future trends.
Here's a glimpse into what's been catching my attention at the fringes of Higher Ed.
Underrated Emerging Technology: The "No Code" Movement
The "No Code" movement is democratizing app development.
Outside of Higher Education, it's empowering businesses to create more sophisticated solutions in-house.
This innovation is set to expand solution diversity and challenge legacy providers to deliver enhanced value.
Though use cases differ, a few my favorites include: Softr, Bubble, and Notion.
University-Specific Data Visualization Software
Speaking of, I've developed a (free) University KPI Dashboard I’ll be using as a Lead Magnet. [Check it out here]
It's designed to streamline data interpretation, enhance decision-making processes, and enhance campus community/board reporting.
(If you have five spare minutes, I’d love your candidate feedback!)
Management Consulting Frameworks to Upskill Your Teams
In an era of relentless change, the fundamentals of strategy and problem-solving remain crucial.
Here are 6 Tools/Frameworks I’ve found quite useful.
Surprising Podcast Recommendation:
In a recent episode of the Modern Wisdom podcast, journalist and free speech activist Rikki Schlott delves into the nuances of cancel culture and free speech.
Schlott's exploration into Twitter bans, the motivations behind cancel culture, and the fine line between cancellation and accountability provide a thought-provoking perspective that's particularly relevant to the discourse in academia.
Her analysis of the case of Carole Hooven - who was fired from Harvard for acknowledging Biological sex - is particularly interesting.
Stay Connected!
If you find these topics intriguing and wish to delve deeper into how they can be leveraged for your institution, let's set aside some time to discuss.
As always, I'm here to support your journey.
Warm regards,
Mike O'Connor
Consultant & Founder
O'Connor and 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, 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...
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....