The Future of Higher Education

Through its history, higher education has evolved very little, but has thrived on relatively small changes. Today, a number of innovations are forcing higher education administrators to accept the fact that post-secondary education is on the precipice of a major transformation, and it’s becoming increasingly important to think about what the industry might look like in 10 years, 50 years and beyond.

During this month’s Special Feature, get insights from a wide range of higher education stakeholders into the future of higher education. Read, comment and learn about what the future has in store for this industry!

Reflecting on Higher Education’s Most Significant Changes

EvoLLLution NewsWire

Technology’s impact on higher education, the industry’s move to meet the needs of adult learners and the challenges created by declining budgets are the three biggest changes in higher education in modern times.

Five Important Changes in Higher Education from the Past 500 Years

John Thelin | Professor in the College of Education, University of Kentucky

Over the past 500 years, most of the changes in higher education have been geared toward increasing access, ensuring program relevance and improving campus life.

AUDIO | Collaboration Key for Colleges and Universities in 10 Years

Darlene Miller | Executive Director, National Council for Workforce Education and Holly Moore | Executive Dean of Georgetown Campus, South Seattle Community College

While community colleges and universities serve different populations and have different missions, it will become critical for them to work collaboratively if they want to continue to succeed in 10 years’ time.

AUDIO | Universities Will Serve Better-Prepared Students in a Decade

Henry Eyring | Vice President of Advancement, Brigham Young University—Idaho

In a decade’s time, universities are set to become more specialized in the types of students they serve. Accepting transfer students may be one of the major changes universities experience over the next 10 years.

AUDIO | Times Will Change, But Standards Will Remain for Community Colleges

Kirk White | Director of the Center for Healthcare Professionals, Houston Community College

In 50 years’ time, supporting the workforce will continue to be the core mission of community colleges; however, the subject matter and the approach to teaching and learning will change.

Higher Education in America 2064: Goodbye Humanities, Hello Business 101

Frank McCluskey | Vice President and Scholar in Residence, American Public University System

The year is 2064, and the higher education industry is vastly different from what it was in 2013.

AUDIO | State Institutions Will Need to Innovate to Survive

Theodora Kalikow | President, University of Southern Maine

It is critical for the leadership of state institutions to embrace innovation and become leaders in order to be successful in 10 years’ time.

New Institutional Groupings to Emerge in a Decade

Mark Sarver | Chief Executive Officer, eduKan

In 10 years’ time, institutions will fall into one of four different categories, regardless of their funding model. Depending on which category an institution falls into, its approach to the market will have to change drastically.

The Future of Land-Grant Universities

Christine Geith | Assistant Provost and Executive Director of MSUglobal, Michigan State University

Land-grant universities have the capacity to ingrain themselves deeper into everyday activities and vital industries across the United States in 10 years’ time by making use of new technologies and networks as they emerge.

Looking to the Future: For-Profits in 10 Years

Jodi Robison | Director of Assessment, UniversityNow

In 10 years’ time, for-profit institutions will be known for customer service, strong ties to the workforce and models that provide credit for prior learning — making higher education more relevant and affordable for prospective students.

Land Grant 2023: Massively Open Online Extension Services

Addison Stark | Doctoral Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

By capitalizing on emerging Massive Open Online Course technology, land-grants can continue to meet their mission in a more open and accessible way than ever before.

What Does the Future Hold for State Higher Education?

Becky Takeda-Tinker | President, Colorado State University—Global Campus

Looking to the future, state higher education institutions will be more focused on developing low-cost, workforce-focused programming and providing students with a wide range of directions in which to take their post-secondary learning.

Higher Education 50 Years from Now: A For-Profit Perspective

Diane Johnson | Academic Dean, New Charter University

It will be critical for for-profit institutions to become more community-minded in 50 years’ time in order to thrive in the post-secondary education marketplace.

AUDIO | Imagining Land Grants 50 Years in the Future

Scott Peters | Professor, Syracuse University

Land-grant universities could go one of two directions in 50 years’ time, depending on the level of state support dedicated to buttressing their mission.

Gazing Through Mud: The Campus and You in 50 Years

John Ebersole | President, Excelsior College

Fifty years from now, higher education institutions will be more focused on serving adult members of the workforce than on preparing youth to enter the workforce, as lifelong learning will have become the norm.

Performance Measurement Changes to Heighten Focus on Nontraditional Students

Sandra Woodley | President, University of Louisiana System

Looking into the future, higher education institutions’ efforts to serve nontraditional students should be recognized and supported by governing bodies, rather than punished.

Breaking With Tradition: The Future of Continuing Education

Philip DiSalvio | Dean of the College of Advancing and Professional Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

As higher education institutions evolve over the next half-century, continuing education units should gain more autonomy as degree-granting units on campus, allowing the institution to capitalize on the particular elements that help these units to succeed.

The Future of Multi-Campus Institutions

Cindy Miller | Kansas City Campus Director, Columbia College

Main campus units and extension/satellite units will become increasingly linked as their various services and activities are consolidated to create a more efficient and streamlined experience for students.

AUDIO | How Governments Can Facilitate Public Higher Education Growth

Thomas Lukaszuk | Deputy Premier and Minister for Advanced Education and Enterprise, Province of Alberta

Higher education institutions have a critical role to play in developing the future workforce and in allowing a province or state to capitalize on its natural resources. Funding is often used as an incentive for institutions to pursue this type of development.

AUDIO | Lack of State Investment Opening the Door to Federal Influence in Higher Education

John Aubrey Douglass | Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Studies in Higher Education, UC Berkeley

As state governments begin to disinvest from their public higher education systems, it might fall to the federal government to step in and provide the necessary funding, in exchange for programming that suits the national good rather than a specific state’s needs.

Faculty Focus Will Shift to Instruction

Kelly Otter | Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Faculty Affairs, Northeastern University College of Professional Studies

By 2023, the roles played by higher education faculty will be completely different than they are today. Competency will be a critical outcome for most programs, and instructors will have a greater responsibility to ensure they are effective teachers.

Three Archetypes of the Future Post-Secondary Instructor

Chris Proulx | Chief Executive Officer, eCornell

In 10 years’ time, the faculty roles we see today will be all but obsolete, replaced by educators who fit into newly defined roles such as the “Celebrity Free Agent” or “The Course Hacker”.

AUDIO | The Flipped Classroom Will Redefine the Role of Educators

Eric Mazur | Area Dean for Applied Physics, Harvard University

As flipped classrooms become more prevalent in the next 10 years, the role of the instructor will transform into one of a “guide on the side” rather than a “sage on the stage.”

The Evolving Role of “Teacher” in a MOOCs and Badges World

Kyle Peck | Professor of Education, Penn State University

In 10 years’ time, instructors who cannot learn to move beyond simply providing information to students will be replaced by technology, as the entire higher education landscape shifts towards a focus on competency and lifelong learning.

Traditional Instructors Will Remain, But Online Learning Heralds a New Breed

Pepper Lynn Werner | Doctoral Student, University of Wyoming

In 10 years’ time, the traditional academic setting will still remain, with educators who will continue to serve that setting. However, the online learning market will grow exponentially, breeding a new generation of instructors to serve those students.

VIDEO | The Educational Landscape in 50 Years

The Khan Academy

In this video, Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, a not-for-profit online education provider, shares his thoughts on what the educational landscape will look like in 50 years. By 2060, Khan predicts three major shifts in education: a change to the classroom model, a change to the credential model and a change in the role of the instructor.

Autonomous Learning and the Future of Higher Education

David Staley | Director of the Harvey Goldberg Center, The Ohio State University

It is undeniable that campuses will continue to exist as centers of learning in 10 years’ time, but students will be more self-directed in their education than ever before.

Adults in Higher Education: A Changing Role

Crystal Trotter | Student, Eastern Illinois University

In 10 years’ time, adult students will be more accepted on postsecondary campuses and will have a greater role in shaping and participating in institutional culture and campus life.

AUDIO | New Technologies Make Students Participants Rather Than Recipients

Michael Olsen | Professor, Iowa State University

While students are often simply recipients of information in postsecondary science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classes, videoconferencing and other technologies are starting to allow them to be more participatory and communicative in their learning.

What We Can Learn from International Branch Campuses

Melodena Stephens Balakrishnan | Associate Professor of Business and Management, University of Wollongong Dubai

International branch campuses face many of the same challenges and barriers as continuing education units; both are needed for their innovation and business-minded nature to help the main institution remain relevant and effective in the future.

International Branch Campuses Cultivate Deep Roots: Now and in the Future

Bill Mercer | Manager of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Services, Texas A&M University at Qatar

Successful international branch campuses weave themselves into the fabric of their host countries to become integral parts of the local business community, while maintaining the traditions and values of the home campus.

AUDIO | Technology Unlikely to Impact the Viability of International Branch Campuses in a Decade

Kevin Kinser | Associate Professor, SUNY Albany

Though the online learning market is sure to be completely different in 10 years’ time, it is unlikely that the viability of international branch campuses will be seriously affected, as they offer a unique product to a specific group of students.

Higher Education Marketing Departments Must Gain Competencies Outside Direct Marketing

Christopher Hofmann | Director of Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning

Institutions able to identify their ideal market and develop relevant direct marketing products and online content will be the successful marketers of the future.

Five Ways Higher Education Marketing Will Change in 10 Years

Craig Maslowsky | Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Excelsior College

Looking ahead, it is critical for higher education institutions’ marketing units to know which communications and promotions tasks would be better to outsource to marketing solutions providers.

Higher Education’s Turn in the Vortex of Change

Karen Sibley | Dean of Continuing Education, Brown University

Delivery of and purchasing practices in higher education will change, as will business models, and institutions must adjust the meaning behind their brand to adapt to the changing marketplace.

AUDIO | University Brand Will Remain Critical in Marketing Continuing Education

Marilou Cruz | Marketing and Communications Manager at The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

While it is critical for continuing and professional education units to stay true to their university’s brand, they must also work to brand themselves as independent units, and to differentiate themselves from other institutions.

How Your Brand Will Become More Important to Higher Education Marketing in 10 Years

John DeLalla | Director of Continuing Education, University of Arizona South

It is critical for continuing education units to protect and preserve the brand identity of their university.

AUDIO | Fewer Institutions, Greater Specialization Likely in 50 Years

David E. Van Zandt | President, The New School

As institutions begin to collaborate on programming in 50 years’ time, it is likely their programming will become more specialized. Institutions that do not adapt to this change may cease to exist.

AUDIO | Traditional Institutions Will Close, Number of Colleges and Universities Will Rise

Richard DeMillo | Director of the Center for 21st Century Universities, Georgia Institute of Technology

While the number of traditional institutions is going to plummet in 50 years’ time, niche institutions will spring up to take their place, increasing dramatically the number of colleges and universities in the higher education marketplace.

Changes Needed for Institutions To Remain Viable in 50 Years

Fred Holman | Vice Provost of Extended Studies, University of Nevada, Reno

In order for institutions to thrive in 50 years time, they will have to meet the specific needs of their communities and ensure that teaching is an institutional priority.

AUDIO | The Hand-in-Hand Evolution of Higher Education Institutions and Edupreneurs

George Siemens | Director of the Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute, Athabasca University

As higher education institutions become closer with edupreneurs, it’s going to become critical for colleges and universities to determine what their main value proposition is, and what tasks and services they can afford to outsource.

How Edupreneurs Will Shape the Future Higher Education Marketplace

Dennis Yang | President and Chief Operating Officer, Udemy

The traditionally slower-moving higher education industry has come face-to-face with the fast-paced business world, and the mixing of the two will develop a far more integrated and sophisticated relationship in 10 years’ time.

AUDIO | The Future Possibilities for Technology in Higher Education

Bryan Alexander | Senior Research Fellow, National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education

The future looks bright for higher education when it comes to the possibilities of technology, but it’s critical that individuals at all levels of higher education begin thinking futuristically about how these technologies can be deployed. Otherwise, they risk being controlled by, rather than in control of, the changes.

AUDIO | Edupreneur-Institution Relationships Will Change Higher Education

Peter Stokes | Executive Director of Postsecondary Innovation, Northeastern University

While there have been a number of innovations in higher education over the past few years, we are likely to see true innovations in different areas than what may have been expected.

MOOCs Likely to Be Integrated into Traditional University Programming

Larry Cooperman | Director of OpenCourseWare, UC Irvine

The idea of taking elite higher education programming online is not new, and Massive Open Online Courses will likely be adopted as common practice by elite institutions in 10 years time.

Funding Public Institutions Without Government Support in a Decade’s Time

Anthony Frank | President, Colorado State University

While government funding is steadily decreasing, and may even drop to zero, public universities will still carry the critical mission of delivering high-quality, low-cost education to their constituents.

Show Me the Money: Funding Higher Education in 2023

Peter Smith | Senior Vice President, Kaplan Higher Education

In 10 years’ time, higher education will be funded more by individuals and employers, and less by government revenue streams. This will force higher education institutions to transform themselves to meet consumer demands such as competency and workforce development than more theoretical goals as they do today.

Looking at College Funding Models in 50 Years’ Time

Robert Scott | President, Adelphi University

Just as institutions have evolved in the past to suit the market’s demands, colleges and universities will continue to adapt themselves to meet societal needs. It will be critical for many institutions to change their funding models to be able to continue offering required services.

Future Trends in Data Security for Online Distance Education

Rick Shearer | Director of World Campus Learning Design, Penn State World Campus

While advances in technology certainly make way for a number of exciting opportunities, it is also important to know how much data is being put out into the open and critical to consider how that data is being protected.

How Technological Advances Will Reshape the Online Student Experience in 10 Years

Daniel Christian | Senior Instructional Designer, Calvin College

As technology moves forward, the higher education experience – both face to face and online – will transform dramatically.

Anonymity Makes IT Security a Must for Higher Education Institutions

Joel Rosenblatt | Director of Computer and Network Security, Columbia University

Identity verification is a major hurdle institutions must overcome as online learning and e-crimes such as identity theft continue to grow over the next decade.

The Vulcan Approach to Education is On The Horizon

Jarl Jonas | Director of CourseSites, Blackboard

In 10 years’ time, online teaching and learning is likely to be far more student-centered and personalized for learners than it is today.

Technologies That Will Revolutionize Online Learning

Jill Campbell | Instructional Designer and Educational Technology Specialist, Assiniboine Community College

Colleges and universities can improve across the board in 10 years’ time by taking advantage of cloud technologies that are emerging on the market today.

Opening the Castle Gates

Richard Holmgren | Chief Information Officer, Alleghany College

It will be critical for colleges and universities to adapt their credentialing models to the competency-based approach in order to remain relevant to the needs of students and the workforce.

Disrupting the Degree? Credentialing in 2023

Ray Schroeder | Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning, University of Illinois, Springfield

The degree may well be in existence in 10 years, but it will look vastly different from its current form.

The Evolution of the College Degree Toward Competency

David Schejbal | Dean of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning, University of Wisconsin-Extension and Aaron Brower | Provost, University of Wisconsin-Extension

The traditional, seat time-based higher education degree does not suit today’s higher education marketplace or students. As higher education evolves, so too must its degrees, toward a focus on competency and skill mastery.

Higher Education Must Keep Pace with Available Opportunities

Tim Flood | Consultant, Route92 Consulting Services

As a new crop of students enrolls in higher education, American institutions will have to adapt their education delivery and credentialing systems to respond to student-consumer demands.

Blended Classrooms Around the Corner for Higher Education

Anant Agarwal | President, edX

In 10 years’ time, technology’s greatest impact on higher education will be the opening of accessibility and the movement toward more blended classrooms, making classroom time more efficient and focused on personalized learning.

AUDIO | Student Input Necessary for Effective Digitization

Sidneyeve Matrix | Associate Professor of Media and Film, Queen’s University

Increased communication capacity between instructors and students is going to make the postsecondary classroom an all-encompassing, social space in 10 years’ time.

Good Teaching is the Most Effective Instructional Tool: Today and Tomorrow

Leslie Hitch | Senior Faculty Fellow, Northeastern University

Looking 10 years into the future, the most effective teaching tool in higher education will still be the skills that make a professor or an instructor a good teacher.

AUDIO | Preparing The Leaders of Today for the Technologies of Tomorrow

Michael Horn | Co-Founder and Executive Director, Innosight Institute

In order for disruptive technologies to be integrated to their fullest capacity into higher education institutions, postsecondary leaders will have to adjust their institutions and their management style to accommodate massive changes.

Five Ways Better Communication Will Change Higher Education by 2063

Kevin O’Neill | Vice President of Engineering, Destiny Solutions

Improvements to data collection and analysis technologies will completely transform the higher education industry by 2063.

The Course of a Lifetime: The Future of Higher Education from the Perspective of Lifelong Learning

Jeff Cobb | Managing Director, Tagoras

Over the next 50 years, higher education institutions will shift massively toward serving the lifelong learner rather than the traditional 18 to 22-year-old student. This shift will be accompanied by advances in technology that facilitate a more lifelong approach to higher education.

The Moneyball Effect: How Data Will Transform Student Success in 10 Years

Rob Kingyens | Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Technology Officer, eCornell

In the future, administrators will utilize readily-available learning analytics to reshape and transform the way their institutions operate.

AUDIO | The Future Will Be Challenging, But Exciting

Theresa Rowe | Chief Information Officer, Oakland University

As educational delivery and credential display systems change with the times, higher education institutions will have to adapt their on-campus technologies and systems to keep pace with the transformations.

Teaching and Learning Transformation to Impact University Change

Nelson Vincent | Chief Information Officer, University of Cincinnati

Technology is revolutionizing teaching and learning in higher education, and in 10 years’ time, colleges and universities will have transformed themselves to accommodate this change.

AUDIO | Big Data Will Revolutionize Higher Education

William Morse Jr. | Chief Technology Officer, University of Puget Sound

Institutions are already collecting large amounts of data; the big change in 50 years will be that colleges and universities will be able to use that data to make informed decisions about the direction of their institution.

AUDIO | Data and Technology to Reduce Institutional Silos

Phil Ice | Vice President of Research and Development, American Public University System

In 10 years’ time, it’s likely that better use of available data will be a major influence on the way higher education institutions operate, and better communication between different departments and internal organizations will help reduce and remove institutional silos.

Technology Will Make Higher Education Institutions More In-Tune With Students in a Decade

Linda Thor | Chancellor, Foothill-De Anza Community College District

As technology becomes better integrated into the management of higher education institutions, services for students will become more personalized and abundant while costs will go down.