Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed Takeaways from 2025 and Predictions for Next Year
As the year comes to a close, Jeff and Michael step back to review some themes from recent episodes. They home in on how to build innovative campus cultures, and how colleges can respond to AI. And they look ahead, offering predictions for higher ed for 2026. This episode is made with support from Ascendium Education Group, Adobe, and Butler University.
Relevant Links
“A Looming Crisis: New Analysis Shows Dozens of Well-Known Colleges Are Near Financial Trouble,”
Michael Horn and Steven Shulman
"The Financially Sustainable University,"
Jeff Denneen and Tom Dretler
Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
4:22 - A Case for Massive Experimentation
6:30 - Making Shared Governance an Asset
10:00 - Building Innovation Into Campus Culture
11:41 - Lessons From Silicon Valley
13:17 - What Parents Are Asking About AI at Colleges
14:54 - Importance of Experiential Learning
18:40 - How Liberal Arts Can Be Taught Differently in the AI Age
21:11 - Being Creative v. Being a Creator
22:20 - Time for Colleges to Step Back and Strategize About AI
28:00 - New Research Reveals Mid-Size Colleges Could At Financial Risk
33:43 - Understanding the Details of New Student Loan Caps
37:37 - Breaking Down the Latest Enrollment Numbers
40:07 - Michael’s Predictions for 2026
41:56 - Jeff’s Predictions for 2026
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