Higher Education in 2026: AI, Gen Z, and the 21st-Century Campus - On Campus Podcast

In this Season 4 kickoff episode of On Campus, we set the stage for higher education in 2026 by exploring three defining trends shaping today’s campuses: how colleges and universities are marketing to Gen Z and today’s high school students, what the 21st-century classroom really looks like, and why AI has become the new normal across teaching, learning, and campus operations. From shifting enrollment and digital recruitment strategies to reimagined learning spaces, hybrid instruction, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence, this episode previews the conversations ahead this season and invites listeners to reflect on how higher education is evolving. We also invite listeners to share topic ideas or reach out if they’re interested in joining the conversation as a future guest on the podcast.  Please reach out if you have: An idea for a topic you’d like to hear covered this season A perspective you think deserves more attention Or if you’re interested in being a guest on the podcast Ed Butch - [email protected]