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.
The Chat GPT Prompt Outperforming Most University Brand Consultants...
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Greetings Reader, Dropping in with a few high-impact insights from the academic fringe to help spark ideation... Critique Your University Website in 20 Seconds: Ever wondered how your website stands up against competitors? Use this ChatGPT prompt to find out fast: "You're a positioning expert in the vein of Al Ries & Jack Trout, tasked with critiquing college websites. Focus on their branding and positioning to help improve their market strategy, referencing ‘The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing’ in under 150 words. First, note something about the site. Then, bridge that observation to how it might present an opportunity or issue. Why should this matter to them?” FAFSA Forecasts a Fall: Attention, the latest figures are in and they’re startling—FAFSA applications have plummeted by over 30%. This drop hints at a potential seismic shift in 2024's college enrollments, affecting not just academia but also workforce dynamics and funding across sectors. Read the full breakdown here. DEI Dynamics: A fresh report from The Chronicle documents a nationwide pullback from diversity initiatives at colleges, driven by new policies in 16 states. From Florida’s ban on DEI offices to Arizona nixing diversity statements, the landscape is rapidly changing. Dive deeper into these shifts (requires log-in). Campus Controversy at Columbia: Jewish students are raising alarms over the university’s tepid response to pro-Palestine protests, feeling increasingly marginalized. Despite policies requiring approval for such demonstrations, a "liberated zone" has sprung up unchecked, stirring significant campus tension. Full coverage here. Stay informed, stay nimble. Warm regards, Mike P.S. Wondering how these shifts could reshape your strategies? Let’s connect to keep you ahead of the curve. -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...