Artificial intelligence isn’t just at the gates of higher education—it’s already inside, actively reshaping everything from enrollment processes to student support.
The question is no longer whether to adopt AI—that ship has sailed. The real question is whether your institution will lead this transformation or get left behind by competitors who move faster.
I’ve interviewed over 400 college/university presidents who validate this sentiment. Here’s the brutal truth I keep hearing from presidents: there’s a massive gap between AI for productivity and AI for learning.
Most AI tools were designed to make professionals more efficient. But when freshmen, first-generation students, and adult learners use these same tools without proper guidance, we risk replacing genuine learning with superficial shortcuts.
The Digital Education Council’s 2024 Global AI Student Survey confirms what many presidents suspected—huge gaps in AI literacy among the students who need support most¹.
Wake-up call: Your students are already there
According to Ellucian’s recent Student Voice Report, nearly 91% of students worldwide are actively using technology to personalize their learning experiences². Meanwhile, only 38% of higher education administrators think their institutions are agile enough to meet those expectations².
Let me put this in terms every administrator understands: While Netflix uses machine learning to serve up exactly what you want to watch next, most universities still make students wait until next semester to start a program.
While Amazon anticipates what you need before you know you need it, most financial aid offices require students to visit three different departments to get all the information needed to understand their cost structure and out-of-pocket commitment.
The balance of power has shifted to the student-consumer, and many institutions are still operating like they’re the only game in town.
Where AI actually moves the needle
Stop chasing shiny objects. Focus on AI applications that solve real operational pain points:
- Transfer credit nightmares: The National Student Clearinghouse says 39% of transfer students hit registration delays because of slow credit evaluation³. AI-powered transcript analysis isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s keeping students from walking away. I’ve talked to presidents who cut credit evaluation time from weeks to hours using AI tools.
- The personalization gap: 78% of students want individualized curriculum and advising, according to ECAR research⁴. Not “someday” personalization—they want it now. AI-driven adaptive learning platforms are delivering this at scale.
- 24/7 support expectations: According to Ellucian, 58% of students expect round-the-clock digital support but only 31% of institutions deliver it². AI virtual advisors can handle routine questions so your staff can focus on complex student needs.
- Hidden success predictors: With adult undergraduate enrollment dropping 7% since 2019 and 40 million Americans stuck with “some college, no credential,”⁵ institutions need smarter enrollment analytics. AI is uncovering success patterns that traditional models miss.
Stop overlooking what you already own
Here’s what frustrates me when I talk to presidents: most are shopping for new AI tools while ignoring powerful capabilities already embedded in their existing systems. Your LMS, SIS and enrollment platforms likely have AI features you’re not using because nobody took the time to learn what you already bought.
Before you sign another vendor contract, audit what you have. Most institutions could accelerate their AI transformation by 18 months just by fully leveraging existing capabilities.
The smart play? Train your teams on the AI features you already own. Build digital fluency through hands-on experience, not theoretical workshops. Make AI a tool that enhances human judgment rather than a mysterious black box that intimidates your workforce.
Future-proofing without the hype
Every president I interview discusses the concept of “future-proofing.” Here’s my advice based on nearly 25 years in higher ed operations:
- Build for agility, not perfection: Design workflows that adapt quickly. The AI landscape changes monthly—your processes need to keep pace.
- Data-driven decision-making: Use AI analytics to shift from reactive to anticipatory management. Spot enrollment trends before they become crises. Identify at-risk students before they disappear.
- Strategic technology partnerships: Don’t chase every AI startup with a slick demo. Strengthen partnerships with vendors who understand higher education’s unique challenges, can demonstrate measurable ROI, and have robust security frameworks. More AI means more data vulnerability—if your vendors aren’t investing in cybersecurity as seriously as they are in AI features, you’re building on quicksand. The best partnerships deliver innovation and protection.
Are you chasing AI for the sake of AI, or are you using it to solve real problems that improve student outcomes?
The competition is moving fast
Ellucian’s 2025 Student Voice Report should terrify every administrator: 86% of students would consider transferring if their digital experience expectations aren’t met².
Your competition isn’t just the university down the road—it’s every institution willing to meet students where they are technologically. As one president told me, “We realized we weren’t competing with other colleges anymore. We were competing with every digital experience our students have.”
How will your institution respond? What operational changes will you implement this semester—not next year, this semester?
The future isn’t about choosing between high-tech and high-touch. It’s about using technology to amplify the human connections that make education transformational.
The institutions winning this race aren’t the ones with the most AI tools—they’re the ones using AI strategically to deliver experiences their students can’t get anywhere else.
The question is: Will you be one of them?
References:
¹ Digital Education Council. (2024). Global AI Student Survey. Digital Education Council.
² Ellucian. (2025). Student Voice Report. Ellucian.
³ National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (2024). Transfer and Mobility Report. National Student Clearinghouse.
⁴ EDUCAUSE. (2024). ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology. EDUCAUSE.
⁵ U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Note: President quotes are from The EdUp Experience Podcast interviews with higher education leaders.
