Higher Ed Innovations: From Data Visualizations to Boundaryless HR to Free Speech Advocacy

Published over 1 year ago • 1 min read

Hi there Reader,

Hoping your week is unfolding into a story worth sharing!

In the spirit of curiosity and forging ahead, I've stumbled upon a few gems at the fridges of the Higher Ed Landscape.

Here's the lowdown:

HR Without Borders: The evolution of work nudges HR from its traditional silos into the realm of boundaryless collaboration. This transformation isn't just about talent attraction but about weaving people expertise into the very fabric of our institutions, fostering a culture that’s ready to embrace tomorrow’s challenges head-on. Dive into the full scoop with this Deloitte piece. Full Deloitte Article here.
A Stand for Free Speech (and yes, I can't believe I'm citing the New York Post either): Over at Yale, 100+ professors are drawing a line in the sand for free speech, challenging the campus culture and advocating for a return to academia’s core mission. Full article here. The author, Rikki Schlott - a former NYU student who dropped out because she felt persecuted for her traditional views - is an interesting twitter follow.
The Unspoken Demographic Shift: Amid the uproar over climate change, a silent narrative unfolds – the global population collapse. Places like Korea are on the brink of a demographic cliff. Stephen Shaw unravels this less-told story, compelling us to look beyond the environmental crises to the societal shifts knocking at our doors. Stephen Shaw - Modern Wisdom.
Bridging Degrees and Careers: Hats off to my friend Andrew Morse for spotlighting the CIP SOC Crosswalk. It’s not just a tool but a compass for navigating the journey from education to employment, ensuring students and employers find their perfect match. Link to Tool here.
A Deep Dive into Data: I've crafted a series of data visualizations for over 200 Midwest colleges and universities, each with a student body of under 5k. Drawing from over 50 IPEDS data points, these visualizations peel back the layers on admissions, financial vitality, and the effectiveness of outcomes. It's a panoramic view of the Great Lakes and Great Plains institutions, categorized by their admit rates. In total, there are four subgroups: Great Lakes Institutions with over 75% Admit Rate, Great Lakes Institutions with under 75% Admit Rate, Great Plains Institutions with over 75% Admit Rate, Great Plains Institutions with under 75% Admit Rate.

What hurdles are you navigating in your role? Let's swap stories and solutions.

Warmest,

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

unsubscribe here.

P.S. Keen to dive deeper into any of these topics? I’m all ears – let's make it a date to discuss.

Will Federal Funding Come with Political Strings?

Hi there Reader, This week’s theme? Downstream consequences. Whether it’s federal Medicaid cuts, a Supreme Court case, or the nervous system of your leadership team.... this week’s stories all point to one thing: If you’re not proactively shaping your narrative and strategy, someone else will. Rural Health Crisis = Higher Ed Crisis? Key Takeaways from the Chronicle Article: $1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts = A Budget Time Bomb.The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is more than a federal health care...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Public Trust Reckoning: Is Your Campus the Next Target?

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...

3 months ago • 2 min read

AI Revolution: Why Campuses May Close (And It’s Fine)