Hi there Reader,

Welcome back to the latest edition, where we explore the intersections of technology, finance, and strategy shaping the future of higher education.

From leveraging agile methodologies to optimize campus operations to assessing how endowments are navigating turbulence to AI hacks, here are a few insights I'm excited to share...

Columbia's Endowment Strategy: A Bold Public Equity Play

As Ivy League endowment reports start rolling in, Columbia University is leading the pack with an 11.5% return for FY 2024.

Columbia’s heavy allocation to US large-cap equities, a decision that diverges from its peers, has proven to be a smart move, with gains driven by tech giants like Nvidia, Apple, and Meta.

Interestingly, while other institutions like Harvard and Brown leaned more on private equity (39% and 40%, respectively), Columbia’s bet on public markets put it ahead, especially given the challenges faced by private equity in recent years.

Diversification matters—but adapting quickly to market conditions can give forward-thinking endowments an edge.

​Read more about Columbia’s strategy and Endowment trends here​

Why Scrum + Design Thinking Can Overcome Higher Ed's Stagnation

As someone who’s Scrum-certified, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this agile framework can be when paired with design thinking.

In higher education, where decision-making and innovation often lag, this hybrid approach streamlines processes, foster creativity, and provides layers of accountability and transparency. Whether you're looking to revamp your administrative structures or improve academic program development, integrating Scrum + Design Thinking could be the cultural shift needed to drive innovation across your institution.

Scrum isn’t just for tech....

​Explore a quick breakdown of the hybrid Scrum + Design Thinking approach here​

AI Hack: Saving 6 Hours with One Simple Prompt

Last week, I shaved 6 hours off my schedule by leveraging a simple but powerful AI prompt during meetings. H

Here’s the prompt:

"Provide me a high-level summary of this meeting, along with takeaways and suggested follow-ups. Provide a draft follow-up email, as well"

With the rise of virtual meetings and busy schedules, this prompt— paired with meeting transcripts—makes post-meeting debriefs effortless and ensures I never miss a follow-up.

Closing Thoughts

Want to talk more about how agile strategies or AI can help your institution?

Let’s set up a time to chat—I'm always open to exchanging ideas.

Until next time,

​
​Mike O’Connor​
Founder & Consultant
O'Connor and Associates

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