Many of us have devoted our lives to a career in higher education, and we have focused on positions dealing with online learning/edtech. As I reflect on my life and career track, more than 90% of it has been within the constructs of higher education – as a student, a faculty member, and an administrator. 

During my career, life at a public institution of higher learning has proven interesting I had anticipated a work environment that would be financially stable, generally free of controversy, and a work culture that valued new ideas and change.

Boy, was I wrong! Apparently, I was remarkably naïve and Pollyanna-esque. Contrary to this obtuse sense of optimism, the reality has been quite different:

1. Financial stability in higher education -  I have only worked at public institutions – all have experienced budget cuts (many causes that have ranged from economic cycles to mismanagement). In Wisconsin, funding was reduced for higher education which required institutions to cap enrollments and raise tuition. In Nevada, the budget process has been adversely impacted by cycles of recession BUT have also produced amazing increases in funding. Nationally, an amazing number of institutions have suffered from fiscal mismanagement. And as we know, many institutions are now forced to merge or shut down. The predictability and stability I assumed has never materialized.  We are also witnessing a downgrading of respect and appreciation for higher education. 
2. Free of controversy – I’ve never been at an institution that completely imploded, but tensions between administration and faculty have certainly increased, as have tensions between institutions and governing boards an institutions and politicians. The business model for higher education has also changed dramatically. For community colleges, we have perfected doing more with less over the years  – but post-pandemic, it has reached a breaking point as staff is over-worked and yet demands continue to increase
3. A work culture that values ideas and change – this has been my greatest surprise – and disappointment. I had assumed the Ivory Tower would be forward-thinking – with both our faculty and administrators. Unfortunately, higher education voraciously resists change and clings to old ways. Although community colleges are less bureaucratic and therefore capable of some change, this element has been the basis of the gap that now exists in our 21^st Century economy – and is the basis for the decline in the believe that college certificates and degrees are still relevant and valued. After all, we are not responsive to the changing needs of a changing economy.  We cling to medieval higher education thinking in terms of degrees and 20^th Century business modeling based on an edifice complex.

I don’t want to suggest our future is clouded, but we need to engage in introspection and rethink higher education’s role. We will need to embrace change so as to enhance our relevance and effectiveness as well. 

Recommended Reading

Navigating Higher Ed’s Digital Shift As a Technophobe, The Evolllution

Higher ed’s shift to adopt new technologies and move into the online space can be jarring for older students, staff and faculty who did not grow up as digital natives, so it’s imperative to provide them with the right support.

Keeping Ourselves In The Loop:  6 Human-Centered Activities For the Age Of AI, Inside Higher Ed

...it will be critical for humans to remain “in the loop” when engaging with generative AI tools: “By actively participating in the AI process, you maintain control over the technology and its implications, ensuring that AI-driven solutions align with human values, ethical standards and social norms. It also makes you responsible for the output of the AI, which can help prevent harm.”

AI And Our Next Conversations In Higher Education, Campus Technology

In 2026, the AI conversation in education will shift from experimentation to accountability.   Institutions will need to focus on governance, including transparency, vendor selection and management, ethics, and academic integrity, while also showing what has actually improved.

The Modern Learner Movement Higher Education Can’t Ignore, The Evolllution

Higher education is in the middle of a structural shift—not a temporary disruption, but a redefinition of how learning fits into people’s lives. The voices of campus leaders today reflect a shared understanding: the systems, assumptions, and experiences that once worked are no longer aligned with who learners are or how institutions grow.

The Paradox Of AI Assistance:  Better Results, Worse Thinking, Educause

A student reflects on how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping learning and cognitive development, urging colleges and universities to guide students toward responsible uses of AI to preserve critical thinking skills.

AI In Higher Education:  A Guide For Teachers, EdTech Magazine

For many faculty members in higher ed, conversations about artificial intelligence in academia often include the same concerns: There isn’t enough time in the day, AI will erode critical thinking, educators are already stretched thin, and we have to consider compromised data and privacy concerns.

Video Of The Week: Future Of Work 2026:  The Only Jobs That Will Survive, YouTube

AI is transforming the job market, and in this video we break down why layoffs are happening and which roles are actually at risk.