Higher Education’s Next Chapter

Like an earthquake that rattles the ground and then subsides but leaves the landscape in disarray, the pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020 and 2021 have left an indelible mark on higher ed—for good and ill.

The twin crises of 2020–21 sparked significant, lasting changes in higher education, reshaping student behavior and expectations, campus culture, and the mission of many institutions.

The pandemic’s impact was most evident in the normalization of online learning. Once considered supplemental, online models quickly became mainstream, introducing flexibility in where, when and how learning occurs. As students and educators adjusted to digital platforms, expectations shifted, with students increasingly demanding online options and institutions expanding remote and hybrid programs. This shift has made education more accessible for nontraditional students but has also raised concerns about engagement, academic integrity and maintaining a cohesive learning community.

The pandemic also heightened awareness of student mental health and learning disabilities. Prolonged isolation and uncertainty led to increased mental health strain, prompting students to seek support and colleges to prioritize counseling and accommodations. Mental health services have become essential, often struggling to meet demand, and institutions are rethinking approaches to learning disabilities and mental health support as core elements of educational equity.

Further, the pandemic altered attendance patterns, with many students accustomed to remote learning opting for irregular class attendance. Increased family or work obligations among students have made regular attendance challenging, prompting colleges to reconsider course design, accountability standards and assessment and grading practices to maintain engagement.

The pandemic also spotlighted educational inequalities, as remote learning exposed disparities in access to technology, stable internet and quiet study spaces. Low-income and rural students were disproportionately affected, prompting colleges to address these gaps directly through expanded support for first-generation students and initiatives focused on access and affordability.

Faculty and staff have also been affected, with many preferring the flexibility of working from home. This shift has reduced day-to-day campus presence, limiting face-to-face interaction and affecting collegiality and student engagement. The move toward remote work has segmented campus life, impacting the informal collaboration and mentoring that in-person engagement traditionally fostered. Institutions now face the challenge of preserving a sense of community and intellectual exchange despite fewer faculty and staff on campus regularly.

These changes reflect a broad reorientation in higher education that continues to influence learning, mental health, attendance and equity. The impact of these transformations is complex, introducing both challenges and opportunities as colleges and universities adapt to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse and flexible student population.

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In addition to the normalization of hybrid and online learning and expanded mental health awareness and support, here, in a nutshell, are the key long-term shifts in campus policies and culture:

1. An increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion: The 2020 racial reckoning led institutions to address systemic inequalities, establishing DEI offices, expanding scholarships for underrepresented students and refining hiring practices. These initiatives have impacted admissions, faculty recruitment and student support, though DEI efforts continue to face a political and social backlash.
2. Greater flexibility and accommodations: Flexible attendance, grading and accommodations—initially temporary—have become standard, fostering a more student-centered ethos. This shift has sparked debates on maintaining academic rigor while balancing flexibility with accountability.

3. Rethinking financial models and affordability: The pandemic highlighted financial vulnerabilities, prompting institutions to explore sustainable models such as tuition freezes, expanded online offerings and increased financial aid. Balancing financial stability with affordability remains an ongoing priority.
4. Challenges to campus community and engagement: Remote learning and hybrid work models have altered campus life, weakening in-person community and student-faculty engagement. Rebuilding campus culture and fostering a sense of community remains a long-term goal as institutions work to balance flexibility with a cohesive campus environment.
5. Shift toward skills-based and practical education: In response to economic pressures, colleges increasingly feel forced to expand career-focused programs, certifications, experiential learning and professional master’s programs. While this trend aligns education with workforce demands, it raises concerns about balancing career preparation with the broader goals of critical thinking and civic engagement in higher education.

These shifts reflect a profound reorientation in higher education, with lasting impacts on how institutions approach learning, support and community.

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In the wake of the pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020–21, how should colleges and universities respond to the challenges and opportunities these events have presented? Addressing these transformations will require intentional, innovative approaches that align with the evolving educational landscape. Here are some strategies campuses might consider, even at the risk of criticism.

Rethink Faculty Workloads

Campuses might adopt a more flexible, individualized approach to faculty workloads post-COVID, balancing hybrid schedules that allow remote and in-person work with a continued commitment to meaningful campus engagement.

One option is to implement a “core hours” model, setting specific days and times for faculty and staff to be on campus to facilitate accessibility, student interaction and collegial connections, while offering remote work options outside these core hours.

Institutions could also expand the ways faculty fulfill their teaching, research and mentorship responsibilities, recognizing that not all contributions are best captured through traditional classroom instruction. For example, faculty might meet workload expectations by directing learning communities or research cohorts, teaching experiential or studio-based courses, supervising internships, or leading community-based projects. This flexibility allows faculty to align their roles with their strengths, enhancing both engagement and learning opportunities for students.

To foster ongoing collegiality and intellectual exchange, campuses could incentivize collaborative faculty development through interdisciplinary workshops, team-teaching initiatives and peer-led research groups that encourage in-person participation. Clear policies and robust support for hybrid and remote teaching can help maintain faculty productivity and student engagement while preserving campus intellectual vibrancy and community.

By rethinking faculty workloads with flexible, collaborative and student-centered strategies, institutions can support faculty well-being, enrich the educational experience and better respond to evolving academic and student needs.

Adapt to Shifts in Student Expectations, Mindsets and Behavior

To adapt to post-pandemic shifts in student expectations and behaviors, campuses can support students’ calls for flexibility while upholding academic rigor, fostering resilience, building skills and strengthening campus community. Key strategies include:

• Flexible learning options without compromising rigor: Campuses can offer a mix of in-person, hybrid and asynchronous online classes while setting clear expectations to maintain academic rigor and promote engagement. For instance, hybrid courses could include scheduled in-person assessments, discussions and collaborative projects to ensure active participation and accountability. Consistent standards across all formats can further support rigor and engagement.
• Integrate resilience and life skills into the curriculum: Resilience and executive functioning skills can be embedded in course design and programming. First-year seminars or orientation programs could include modules on time management, goal-setting and problem-solving. Faculty can also integrate critical thinking, communication and leadership skills into projects requiring teamwork, real-world problem-solving and reflective activities focused on handling setbacks.
• Strengthen support and accommodation resources: Campuses should continue to enhance accommodations and support systems, especially for students with disabilities and mental health needs. Balancing these accommodations with a growth-oriented approach can encourage students to develop strategies for overcoming challenges. Faculty and staff training on addressing accommodation requests with a focus on growth and self-efficacy can further support students.
• Create structured social interaction and networking opportunities: Programs like learning communities, mentorship networks and leadership workshops can foster connections among students, faculty and alumni. Regular events—peer study groups, professional development workshops and social gatherings within departments—can strengthen social skills and networks, supporting both community and career readiness.
• Offer integrated coaching and advising for skills development: Campuses can provide coaching and advising services focused on executive functioning skills such as time management, prioritization and organization. Peer mentors, academic advisers and career counselors can offer workshops, one-on-one sessions and digital resources that build these skills. Incorporating these services into academic advising and support centers can promote ongoing development throughout students’ college journeys.
• Foster a campus culture of accountability and resilience: A culture of resilience and accountability can be promoted by emphasizing the importance of regular class attendance, active participation and follow-through. Students should be encouraged to see challenges as learning opportunities and develop a proactive approach to academic and personal growth. Faculty can model resilience by discussing strategies for navigating academic and personal challenges.
• Expand experiential and service-learning opportunities: Incorporating experiential learning projects, internships and service learning can provide students with real-world applications of critical thinking, communication and leadership skills. Engaging students in community projects and professional experiences builds resilience and adaptability, allowing them to apply classroom knowledge to complex, often unpredictable scenarios.

These strategies align flexibility with accountability and growth, creating an adaptable, student-centered learning environment.

Determine the Proper Role for Asynchronous and Synchronous Online and Hybrid Teaching

To define the ideal balance of asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid teaching while maintaining active, collaborative and project-based learning, campuses might adopt the following strategies:

• Assess course objectives and content needs: Evaluate each course’s learning objectives to determine the best delivery mode. Courses relying on hands-on learning, real-time interaction or lab work may benefit most from face-to-face instruction, while theoretical or reflective assignments may work well in online or hybrid formats. A clear rubric can guide departments in matching courses to the most effective delivery mode.
• Prioritize interactive elements across modalities: Regardless of format—synchronous, asynchronous or hybrid—emphasize active, project-based learning. Asynchronous courses can feature discussion boards, peer reviews and interactive simulations, while synchronous classes focus on group work and real-time feedback. Hybrid courses can mix in-person labs or seminars with online lectures, ensuring all formats foster engagement and collaboration.
• Establish hybrid and online teaching best practices: Invest in faculty training to design interactive online and hybrid courses. Instructional design support should help incorporate active learning elements such as case studies, group projects and inquiry-driven assignments. A quality review process can ensure consistency across all delivery formats, providing a meaningful, robust student experience.
• Pilot programs and gather feedback: Pilot various course formats and collect data on student engagement, performance and satisfaction. Gather insights on perceived learning outcomes, engagement levels and collaborative ease to inform future decisions on optimal teaching modalities.
• Develop flexible, inquiry-based hybrid models: Flexible hybrid models, combining in-person sessions for project-based activities with online lectures and resources, capitalize on the strengths of each format. This approach allows for face-to-face collaboration while giving students flexibility for individual work.
• Ensure access to technological and pedagogical resources: Provide robust online platforms for discussions, breakout rooms for group projects and virtual labs. Ensure faculty have access to professional development for creating engaging, inquiry-based online learning experiences.
• Maintain a core of in-person, relationship-rich learning: In-person learning remains crucial for fostering interpersonal connections and a vibrant campus culture. To preserve these benefits, establish a baseline of face-to-face interaction, particularly for collaborative, mentorship-oriented and first-year courses that emphasize communication and teamwork.
• Foster continuous evaluation and adaptation: Remain flexible and regularly reassess the balance of teaching modes based on data, new technologies and faculty and student feedback. An annual review across departments can help refine approaches, ensuring institutions respond dynamically to evolving educational needs.

By implementing these strategies, campuses can balance the strengths of in-person learning with the flexibility of online and hybrid options, fostering a dynamic, student-centered environment aligned with the evolving landscape of higher education.

Reimagine the Role of the Liberal Arts and General Education

As students increasingly prioritize career-focused learning, universities have a vital role in demonstrating how the liberal arts complement pre-professional education by fostering critical thinking, communication skills and ethical reasoning.

One effective strategy is to create career-linked liberal arts pathways that integrate traditional courses with real-world applications in fields like business, technology and health care. Universities can also expand interdisciplinary, project-based learning within general education, underscoring how liberal arts skills enhance both professional and personal success.

To maintain a robust liberal arts foundation alongside career-oriented learning, universities can take the following steps:

• Embed liberal arts in professional curricula: Incorporate modules on ethics, historical context and critical perspectives relevant to each field. For example, engineering programs might include case studies on the ethical implications of technological advances, while business courses could explore literature on leadership and ethics, blending liberal arts with career training.
• Develop interdisciplinary courses and certificates: Interdisciplinary courses that combine liberal arts with career-focused content can meet students’ desire for job readiness while cultivating critical thinking. Certificates in areas like “ethics in technology” or “human-centered design” can draw from philosophy, sociology and technical fields, equipping students to think holistically about their careers.
• Encourage problem-based learning with ethical dimensions: Problem-based learning initiatives can engage students in real-world issues, allowing them to apply their professional skills while considering ethical and societal impacts. Cross-departmental projects—such as business and humanities students collaborating on social impact studies—broaden students’ perspectives and ethical awareness.
• Incorporate liberal arts into general education for professional programs: Requiring professional students to complete a core liberal arts curriculum exposes them to critical thinking, ethical reasoning and cultural literacy. Courses in ethics, communication and history can be tailored to complement each professional field, reinforcing the relevance of liberal arts in career contexts.
• Emphasize ethical reasoning and civic responsibility: Universities can reinforce ethical reasoning and civic responsibility through programs that blend these competencies with career skills. Workshops, mentorship and speaker series on topics like corporate social responsibility and leadership further integrate these values.
• Expand reflective components in internship and experiential learning: Enhance experiential learning with reflective assignments to encourage critical thinking on work impact and ethical dimensions. Internships, co-ops and service-learning courses with built-in reflection sessions help students connect practical experience with a liberal arts perspective.
• Promote minors linking professional studies with liberal arts: By boosting minors in liberal arts, universities encourage professional students to deepen their education. For instance, an engineering student might minor in philosophy to bolster critical thinking, while a business student could study psychology to better understand human behavior.
• Use alumni success stories to showcase the value of liberal arts: Highlighting alumni who attribute career success to liberal arts skills helps students see the professional value of a well-rounded education. Alumni testimonials and guest lectures can provide concrete examples of how critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning benefit any career.
• Cultivate a campus culture of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity: Universities can foster such a culture, regardless of major, through campus events, public lectures and interdisciplinary research. This environment helps students recognize that liberal arts skills enrich their personal and professional lives.

By integrating liberal arts competencies into career-focused learning, universities provide students with a holistic education that equips them to think critically, communicate effectively and navigate the ethical challenges they will encounter in any profession.

Reconsider Budget Priorities Amid Financial Strain

Faced with declining enrollment and rising operational costs, campuses must strategically reassess their budget priorities to sustain their mission, focusing on initiatives that drive value, support student success and ensure financial stability. Key areas for prioritization include the following:

• Invest in digital infrastructure: As digital learning becomes central, universities should prioritize robust IT infrastructure, online platforms and cybersecurity. Investments in scalable, user-friendly systems enhance online and hybrid instruction, attracting tech-savvy students and addressing accessibility, ultimately helping counter enrollment declines.
• Streamline administrative operations: By consolidating redundant roles and automating routine tasks (e.g., admissions processing, scheduling), campuses can reduce administrative costs and redirect savings toward student support, faculty development and affordability.
• Expand affordability programs and financial aid: Increasing financial aid, offering scholarships and creating grant programs for underserved students can alleviate financial burdens, improve retention and attract students, supporting long-term enrollment.
• Prioritize faculty development and support: Supporting faculty with professional development, digital pedagogy training and wellness programs enhances academic quality and job satisfaction, which helps reduce turnover and strengthen student engagement.
• Enhance student support services: Funding for mental health, academic advising, career counseling and learning support directly impacts retention, student success and sense of belonging, reducing attrition and fostering resilience.
• Re-evaluate physical campus footprint: With hybrid and online learning on the rise, campuses can optimize physical spaces by repurposing underutilized facilities, reducing new construction and renting spaces for community events to generate additional revenue.
• Create community partnerships for student opportunities: Partnering with local businesses and industries to create experiential learning and internships enhances students’ career readiness without requiring major capital investments, fostering beneficial connections without added costs.
• Explore revenue diversification: Offering certificate programs, adult education and online degrees allows campuses to attract nontraditional students, generating additional income to support essential operations and broaden appeal.
• Optimize resource allocation with data-driven decision-making: Using data analytics to assess program performance and align funds with high-impact areas supports student success and institutional sustainability.
• Embrace collaborative cost-sharing models with other institutions: Collaborating with other universities for shared resources, such as library access or online course offerings, can reduce individual campus expenses while expanding resources for students and faculty.

Through these strategic shifts, campuses can adapt to the changing financial landscape, prioritize student and faculty support and invest in digital infrastructure and affordability initiatives, positioning themselves to meet the evolving needs of students and the broader community.

Rethink Institutional Priorities

To navigate evolving social and economic realities while upholding commitments to access, affordability, diversity, inclusion, equity, community engagement, environmental sustainability and experiential learning, campuses can consider rethinking their priorities and mission along these lines:

• Commit to access and affordability: Rising costs and economic pressures make expanded financial aid, tuition-free programs for low-income students and flexible degree pathways essential. Offering part-time, online and accelerated options widens access and ensures higher education affordability for a diverse student body.
• Reimagine diversity, equity and inclusion: Supporting students, faculty and staff through targeted recruitment, mentorship programs and an inclusive campus culture promotes diversity. Inclusive curricula and co-curricular programs ensure that all students feel represented and valued.
• Emphasize experiential and active learning: Expanding internships, service learning, co-ops and field-based courses enhances career readiness. Integrating active, project-based learning in liberal arts and general education fosters critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration—skills highly valued in today’s workforce.
• Champion community engagement and public service: Partnerships with local organizations, government entities and businesses reinforce campuses’ roles as civic partners. Community-based research, public service programs and local internships benefit student learning while positively impacting regional growth and development.
• Prioritize environmental sustainability: Campuses can lead on sustainability through green building practices, reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable food systems. Academic programs and research initiatives focused on sustainability prepare students for future environmental challenges and support global efforts.
• Support flexible and hybrid learning models: To accommodate students balancing work, family or caregiving, flexible options such as online and hybrid courses broaden accessibility. This adaptation makes higher education more inclusive for nontraditional students, including working professionals.
• Advance a curriculum integrating liberal arts with career-focused learning: Emphasizing critical thinking, communication and ethical reasoning within career-oriented programs responds to students’ demand for job-ready skills without compromising the liberal arts. This approach produces adaptable graduates equipped to navigate complex societal and ethical issues.
• Foster a culture of well-being and resilience: Addressing the mental health and well-being of students, faculty and staff is essential. Investments in wellness programs, intramural sports, mental health resources and balanced policies create a resilient, supportive community, helping students and staff manage academic and personal demands.
• Invest in data-driven decision-making and learning analytics: Leveraging data and learning analytics enables campuses to track student progress, identify challenges early and personalize learning pathways. Data-informed strategies support effective resource allocation, enhance student engagement and improve retention and completion rates.
• Reimagine faculty and staff roles to foster collaboration: Redefining roles and creating incentives for interdisciplinary teaching, research and community projects promotes a collaborative culture that enriches academic life and extends the institution’s impact.

By aligning their priorities and mission with these strategies, campuses can maintain relevance in a rapidly changing environment while adding lasting value for students, faculty and the wider community.

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In the wake of the pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020 and 2021, campuses have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to redefine their mission in ways that prioritize equity, community, sustainability and the promise of a high-value education.

To thrive in a highly competitive environment, higher education must go beyond adaptation, embracing a vision centered on inclusivity, environmental stewardship and community engagement. This means creating pathways that make learning accessible to all, equipping students not only with career-ready skills but with critical thinking and an ethical compass for societal impact.

By integrating these commitments into their core mission, universities can position themselves as engines of positive change, preparing students with the knowledge, resilience and moral clarity needed to lead in a world that demands empathy and innovation. In doing so, they can transform themselves into institutions that actively shape society’s values, fostering a more just, compassionate and sustainable future.