The EdUp Experience Maybe Higher Ed's Future Isn't What You Think - with Eric Turner, President, Lasell University
Sep 23, 2025
Eric Turner, President of Lasell University and a former Wall Street and IBM executive, shares innovative ideas about higher education. He discusses creating an on-campus senior living community that promotes intergenerational learning, where seniors and undergraduates take classes together. Turner emphasizes the need for institutions to adapt to modern learners’ needs, focusing on career readiness and flexible workforce development partnerships. He also addresses the future of higher ed, advocating for more accessible and diverse educational models to meet societal demands.
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Roots In Practical, Experiential Learning
- Lasell University was founded in 1851 as a seminary for women and emphasized practical skills from the start.
- That experiential learning origin persists today across programs like fashion, forensic science, and business.
On-Campus Senior Living With Education Requirement
- Lasell built LaSalle Village, a continuing care retirement community, on campus in 2000 with a required 450 annual education hours per resident.
- Residents can take university classes, village classes, or earn credit through professional development tied to work.
Intergenerational Classes And Short Modules
- LaSalle Village residents average about 81 years old and often prefer shorter class formats like 3–5 week modules instead of full semesters.
- Seniors still join undergraduate classes occasionally, bringing lived experience that enriches discussions.