Hunting Antelope, Not Field Mice, in the Academy...


Hi there Reader,

Hope this finds you thriving and ready to tackle the big stuff.

Here are a few quick reads and resources for forward-thinking leaders in higher education.

Hunt Antelope, Not Field Mice

Sparked by Newt Gingrich's insights on strategic focus, this article is powerful recalibration of prioritization.

For us in academia: Are we chasing monumental goals that shift paradigms, or getting sidetracked by minutiae?

This read is a great reminder for anyone aiming to lead with impact over busywork. Read Tim’s insights here.

Revolutionizing Post-Grad Outcomes with Data

I’ve been meshing Chat GPT with Bureau of Labor Statistics and institutional data to supercharge how we approach post-graduate outcomes.

Take a peek at how we’re making Outcomes data work smarter, not harder: See the breakthrough in action.

How AI is Transforming Higher Ed Pedagogy

From providing customized learning pathways that adapt to individual student needs to streamlining administrative tasks, AI is making education more effective and accessible.

This insightful article discusses the significant benefits and addresses the challenges of integrating AI into educational systems, ensuring educators are equipped to enhance their teaching methods and engage students more profoundly. AI in Education.

Getting More from Your Most Valuable Asset: People

McKinsey’s latest sheds light on the moves that matter in talent management—vital for any institution focused on serious ROI from its human capital.

Great reading/reminder for making informed, impactful decisions in talent strategy: Explore McKinsey’s findings.

Stay sharp and let these insights fuel your next big move.

As always, I'm here to chat through any of these ideas or to brainstorm ways to apply them to your unique challenges.

Best,

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

Let's Chat

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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.

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O'Connor & Associates

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...

O'Connor & Associates

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...