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 reporter, joins us for a no-spin conversation about higher ed’s eroding public trust.

Key Takeaways:

• Federal Shifts, Local Fallout: From DEI to FAFSA to Pell Grant funding, institutions are caught in the crosshairs of political polarization.
• Narrative Rebuild: Instead of national messaging, Nick argues for local impact storytelling: how your institution fuels the local economy, health care, and workforce.
• Proactive Leadership Required: Presidents must take narrative ownership now, not wait for D.C. to act.

​Quick Clip; Full episode on YouTube​

Predictive AI > Generative AI?​
3 Ways Predictive AI Outperforms Generative AI for Institutions

Everyone is talking ChatGPT. But Eric Siegel makes the case that predictive AI may drive more real ROI for entire industries (including Higher Ed).

• Targeted Outreach: Predictive models identify which students are likely to drop out—before they do.
• Efficiency Over Creativity: Predictive tools streamline financial aid, enrollment forecasting, and staff allocation.
• Real Decisions, Not Just Content: Predictive AI influences real-time institutional decisions, while generative AI remains largely passive.

​Full article

AI With Purpose: A McKinsey Data Scientist Speaks​
How One Senior Data Scientist Uses AI to Change the World

Rima Alameddine, a senior McKinsey data scientist, shares how AI isn’t just a tool for productivity—it’s a catalyst for equity and social impact:

• From Opioid Crisis to Workforce Inclusion: Her AI work has supported equitable hiring and targeted health interventions.
• Ethics & Empathy in AI: Rima emphasizes the need for purpose-driven design.
• Relevance for Higher Ed: AI isn’t just about automation. It’s about aligning mission, strategy, and measurable outcomes.

How is your data science strategy reflecting your institutional values?

​Full story​

The Shifting Landscape of Enrollment by Race​
How First-Year Enrollment by Race Has Changed Since 2010

Post-affirmative action, national trends hide local variation. This interactive Chronicle tool tracks enrollment changes by race and institution from 2010 to 2023.

• Underrepresented Growth: Hispanic and multiracial student enrollments have increased significantly.
• White Student Decline: The share of white students has dropped.
• Granular Insights: Differences are vast by state, institutional type, and selectivity.

🔎 Explore: Use the Chronicle tool to benchmark your institution against R1 peers. Do your DEI plans match the demographic shifts?

​Explore the data​

Rethinking the College Business Model with Matt Hendricks (PDS Access)

What if you could scan every college’s contracts, staffing levels, and pricing models—and flag costly outliers in minutes?

That’s exactly what Matt Hendricks has built.

An Economist turned data entrepreneur, Matt has quietly built the most powerful sandbox for higher ed finance we’ve seen. And the results are jaw-dropping:

🧠 Audit + 990 + IPEDS = Blind Spots Exposed​
Instant comparisons across staffing, food service, endowment draws, and tuition strategy.

💸 Find Hidden Millions in Under 10 Minutes​
One school found they were paying 2.5x above median for food service. Another? 250+ excess staff.

📊 Visuals That Speak CFO​
This isn’t your usual IR dashboard—it’s the tool your board thinks you already have.

Want your own audit data visualized? Reply "PDS" and we’ll set it up.

Your institution doesn’t need more press releases.

It needs more predictive insight, authentic storytelling, and bold leadership.

What smart risks are you taking in your role? Reply and let me know...

Until next week,

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

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