Hi there Reader, Higher Ed’s Financial Model Is Cracking—Fast. From rising tuition thresholds to deep federal cuts, higher education’s financial landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Institutions that don’t adapt will struggle to survive. 🚨 What’s Inside This Week: Harvard raises its tuition-free threshold: What it signals for the sector. Ben Kennedy’s latest insights: The hard truths about financial sustainability. Federal layoffs gut the Education Department—what it means for data and...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, Most universities are misaligned—and it’s costing them. I sat down with Ben Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy & Company, to talk about the real financial risks facing colleges today. Key Takeaways: Our pricing model is broken – Schools at 75% tuition discounting can’t sustain it. Yet most don’t have a plan to stop the bleeding. Your brand is your lifeline – If students think your institution is struggling, they won’t enroll. The wrong cost-cutting decisions make that perception...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Reader, Higher education is facing a perfect storm.... Rising costs, AI disruption, and now, direct political intervention into university operations. This week, we’re breaking down: 🚨 The $5B Funding Battle Over Columbia University The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented federal funding review into Columbia over its response to campus protests. If the administration follows through on its threat to cut funding, the impact could redefine the federal-university relationship—with...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, The Exhaustion Epidemic in Higher Education A recent Chronicle article highlights a pervasive sense of burnout among faculty and staff in higher education. Key findings include: Overextended Faculty: Professors, like Celeste Chamberland at Roosevelt University, juggle numerous roles—from committee memberships to student advisement—leading to unsustainable workloads. Administrative Overload: The increasing administrative demands detract from core educational responsibilities,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi there Reader, Higher education is caught in the middle of transformation—and behind the scenes, political dynamics, AI, and private equity are playing Some colleges will thrive, others will struggle. This edition breaks down where things are headed and what it means for you. The ‘Broken Rung’ in Higher Ed Leadership McKinsey’s The Broken Rung sheds light on why leadership pipelines stall and how institutions lose out on top talent. The report’s latest findings reveal: Leadership gaps are...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, I hope things are going as well as possible... Per usual, I'm writing with insights from the fringes of the Acadmy... Why Small Colleges Might Hold the Key to Higher Ed’s Future When you think about Silicon Valley, small colleges might not come to mind... But Menlo College, led by President Steven Weiner, is proving why they matter in the ecosystem. In our latest conversation, Steven shared how Menlo is balancing size, personalization, and innovation: Retention through...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi there Reader, How are you Closing the Efficiency Gap at your Institution? Higher education leaders face mounting pressure to do more with less. But what if the issue isn’t resources but how effectively they’re used? This edition tackles inefficiencies, retention challenges, and cutting-edge AI solutions that could redefine your institution’s trajectory. AI Solutions to Efficiency: Insights from Emily Smith AI is no longer a buzzword. It’s the key to fixing operational bottlenecks that...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Reader, InI’m thrilled to share highlights from my conversation with Roger Best, President of the University of Central Missouri (UCM). With a 30-year journey at UCM, Roger’s leadership style offers valuable lessons on adaptability, strategic focus, and innovation.... 1. Transforming Higher Ed Leadership: Insights from Roger Best Roger Best’s transition from COO to President at UCM offers keen insights into challenges and opportunities of ascending in leadership roles. A few insights:...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader The challenges in higher education are becoming increasingly complex... From enrollment shifts to evolving technological landscapes. Let's explore what's happening at the fringes of the academy. 1. Higher Ed’s New Normal: A Post-Pandemic Reality In the wake of the pandemic, higher education is still struggling to regain its footing. Some aspects of life have returned to "normal," while others remain stuck in what can be described as a "new normal." For colleges, this means...
3 months ago • 2 min read