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.
Public Trust in Higher Ed Is Waning—How to Rebuild It? (Well, That's Complicated)
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Hallå Reader, Diving into this week’s insights tailored for forward-thinking leaders in higher education… Federal Investment in Regional Technology Hubs: A Game-Changer for Economic Development The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment in twelve new regional technology hubs across the United States, aimed at creating high-paying jobs and fostering economic innovation in underserved communities. This initiative, part of the CHIPS and Science Act, is designed to decentralize tech innovation and ensure that economic growth benefits a broader range of regions. Each hub will focus on a specific area of technological advancement, from advanced manufacturing to clean energy, with the goal of transforming these regions into economic powerhouses. For higher education leaders, this move presents an opportunity to align academic programs with emerging industry needs, forging partnerships that can drive both regional development and institutional growth. Engaging with these hubs could be pivotal for institutions looking to position themselves at the forefront of innovation and workforce development. Automation is Getting Easier (And Cheaper): Example: Gunloop Gumloop, an AI automation platform that began as a small side project, has quickly grown into a robust tool for businesses of all sizes. By allowing users to create powerful AI workflows with a simple drag-and-drop interface, Gumloop eliminates the need for coding expertise. This platform democratizes AI, enabling non-technical staff to automate complex tasks, from invoice processing to SEO content generation, and beyond. For higher education leaders, this tool offers exciting possibilities for streamlining administrative processes, enhancing data analysis, and improving operational efficiency—all without requiring additional technical resources. As AI becomes increasingly integral to institutional success, tools like Gumloop could be a game-changer in maximizing productivity while minimizing costs. Higher Education's Value Under Scrutiny: What Leaders Need to Know A recent survey conducted by Langer Research Associates for The Chronicle of Higher Education reveals significant public skepticism about the value of higher education. While 79% of respondents with a bachelor’s degree believe their degree was worth the cost, a striking 58% of those who attended college but did not complete a degree feel that their education was not worth the financial investment. This sentiment is further complicated by the 66% of individuals who cite affordability as a major barrier to higher education. Additionally, the survey indicates a shift in perceptions, with 47% of respondents believing that other pathways, such as trade schools or apprenticeships, offer comparable or better opportunities than a traditional bachelor’s degree. These findings suggest that higher education institutions must address affordability and demonstrate clear value to prospective students in order to maintain their relevance and appeal in an increasingly competitive landscape. Ready to discuss how these insights can be implemented at your institution? Let’s chat! Schedule a time on my calendar here. Best, -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, 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...
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...