Higher Ed Comes of Age: Hard Lessons and Bold Predictions with Kate Colbert

Let's dive into an enlightening discussion with Sarah Holtan, PhD and Kate Colbert, the author of "Commencement: The Beginning of a New Era in Higher Education", on the evolving landscape of higher education in this episode. Uncover the advantages of online learning, reasons behind resistance to change, and the significance of transparency within academic institutions. We discuss student retention strategies, with an emphasis on innovative partnerships and dynamic leadership. Kate shares her predictions about a new wave in education costs, the power of technology, and the importance of having professionals in key roles. Listen in as we end on a high note, urging leaders to invest their efforts in external relationship management and workforce development. Tune in for stimulating insights, revelations, and a glimpse into the future of education.Episode Highlights:08:07 - Tell the truth about the problems they're having at their institution or tell the truth about the needs of their students, or to tell the truth about the innovations that would really crack things wide open for them, those are the institutions that are starting to do really, really well. Those are the institutions that five years from now, when you and I are chatting about this again, they will not have closed. And so, yes, there is massive resistance to change in higher education, but the institutions that are saying, "Okay, let's just, like, get down to business, let's really talk turkey here," those are the institutions that are really at the bleeding edge of higher ed.09:45 - The first lesson is that everyone is a learner and I think student is the wrong word. I think learner is the right word because it's not just about backpacks and briefcases anymore. It's so much more than that. This past year, I think, has shown us that it's time to redefine higher education's customer and understand that everything beyond high school is post secondary education.18:06 - Partnerships are the future of higher education. And so, of course, mergers and acquisitions. You've talked about that on the show, and even more creative opportunities than that, but it's also really unique, interesting partnerships that are at the program level.Sarah Holtan, PhDLinkedInWebsite Kate ColbertLinkedInWebsite