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.
🚨 Higher Ed’s $50B Crisis: What Columbia’s Funding Battle Means for You...
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Reader, Higher education is facing a perfect storm.... Rising costs, AI disruption, and now, direct political intervention into university operations. This week, we’re breaking down: 🚨 The $5B Funding Battle Over Columbia University The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented federal funding review into Columbia over its response to campus protests. If the administration follows through on its threat to cut funding, the impact could redefine the federal-university relationship—with ripple effects for every institution receiving federal dollars. Meta takeaway? Universities need to be prepared for direct federal scrutiny, especially on issues of campus governance, free speech, and civil rights enforcement. ​Read the Chronicle breakdown​ 💰 The Endowment Tax Hike: Who Really Pays? A new proposal seeks to increase the endowment tax on elite universities—raising questions about how institutions will adapt.
The takeaway? Institutions should be proactively shaping the narrative on their economic and societal contributions... Before policymakers dictate the terms. 📢 Read More​ 🎙️ Inside the Mind of the powerful Dr. Robbyn Wacker How do you align institutional strategy with student & workforce needs—and avoid the strategic plan becoming a wish list? Why AI isn’t just a tool, but a leadership challenge—and what top universities are doing about it. T he future of higher ed’s business model—how partnerships, revenue diversification, and new education models are shaping what’s next. The takeaway? Universities that can translate mission into action—and adapt to rapidly shifting external pressures—will lead the next era of higher ed. ​Listen to the Full Conversation; Clip​ 🔎 Final Thought:​ Higher ed is at a crossroads. Federal scrutiny, AI adoption, and business model shifts are no longer theoretical—they’re here. The institutions that embrace data-driven agility and policy foresight will thrive. The ones that assume business as usual will be in for a rough decade. 📢 Let’s talk about how your institution can stay ahead. ​Schedule a conversation.​ -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, Higher ed is under scrutiny— but is it under siege? In the past two weeks, we’ve seen elite institutions challenge direct federal overreach, new alliances emerge across sectors, and fresh innovations redefine how we think about student success and fiscal sustainability. This week’s newsletter surfaces: System-level redesign insights from Meacie Fairfax (Complete College America). A rallying cry from 200+ presidents against government interference. And a wildly underrated data...
Hi there Reader, Welcome back. This week, we're digging into the intersection of institutional strategy, federal overreach, and student loan reform. From campus data labs to billion-dollar showdowns with the federal government, the higher ed playbook is being rewritten in real time. Let's get into it. Rethinking the College Business Model with Matt Hendricks Founder, Perspective Data Sciences What if you could scan every college’s contracts, staffing levels, and pricing models—and flag costly...
Hi there Reader, The past two few weeks have ushered in significant changes for higher education institutions, with federal actions impacting operations, international students, and diversity initiatives. Here's a high-level overview of. Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education... To Continue? The Trump administration continues to make substantial cuts within the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to reduce its workforce by nearly half. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that...