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How Menlo College’s Startup Mindset is Preparing Students for the Future

In a recent conversation, Steven Weiner, President of Menlo College, shared how he’s leveraging Silicon Valley’s startup mentality to redefine higher education. Menlo’s approach centers on mandatory internships, real-world experience, and its proximity to Silicon Valley’s tech giants—ensuring students graduate with both degrees and job offers.

Key Takeaways for C-Suite Leaders:

• Embrace a startup mindset to foster agility and adaptability.
• Real-world internships bridge the gap between education and employment outcomes.
• Leverage location and industry partnerships to differentiate your institution.

[Excerpt Here; Full conversation here]

AI Breakthrough in Protein Structure Prediction—What It Means for Higher Ed

Google’s DeepMind has once again pushed the boundaries of AI with AlphaFold 3, an advanced tool for predicting protein structures. While this might sound distant from higher ed, the implications are massive: research, innovation, and interdisciplinary studies will benefit immensely, especially in the life sciences.

Why C-Suite Leaders Should Care:

• Institutions can leverage AI breakthroughs like AlphaFold to boost research capabilities.
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations between computer science and biology could lead to new research funding opportunities.
• Integrating cutting-edge AI into academic programs prepares students for evolving industries.

[Explore the full article on AlphaFold’s potential here]

Is Your College on the Brink? Key Warning Signs for Leaders

In his latest analysis, Robert Kelchen highlights critical financial distress signals every institution should monitor. As college closures become more common, Kelchen offers a roadmap to evaluate your institution’s financial health—ranging from low enrollment trends to excessive endowment withdrawals.

Actionable Insights for Higher Ed Leaders:

• Consistently posting financial losses? It’s a red flag—an unsustainable financial trajectory could lead to closure.
• Declining enrollment requires immediate action. Consider program consolidation or strategic partnerships to remain competitive.
• Heavily drawing from endowments is risky. Ensure that your institution is using these funds responsibly for long-term sustainability.

[Read more about how to identify warning signs in your institution]

Stay Nimble, Friends...

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-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

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