Date & Time: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 12 p.m. ET
As higher education faces growing questions about its relevance, the disconnect between what students expect and what institutions deliver is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Nearly 75% want career pathways and salary information incorporated into degree planning, yet only 4% say they currently receive that information from their institution.
Join Ellucian and a panel of higher education presidents for a forward-looking conversation exploring these and other findings from more than 2,000 high school and college students, and what they reveal about one of the defining challenges facing institutions: remaining relevant as student expectations, needs, and pathways continue to evolve.
Together, they’ll unpack what it means for institutions to thrive in a world where students compare colleges with the same expectations they bring to Alexa, Spotify, or Instagram — personalized, fast, outcomes-oriented, and undeniably relevant.
Bonus: Attendees who join the live event will be able to participate in a ThoughtExchange workshop to share and rank best practices from their peers.
We’ll explore:
- Beyond Tradition: Why history, tradition, and mission still matter, but no longer guarantee enrollment
- The Student Voice Report: Hear findings from more than 2,000 high school and college students, including a striking gap between what students want and what they experience today
- The “Relevance Crisis:” Addressing the multi-layered perception of higher ed unfolding across degrees, programs, skills, and public trust
- Adapting to Change: How institutions can stay ahead of trends and evolve to match market velocity
- Staying Relevant: Practical steps higher education professionals can take now to prove and continuously re-prove their relevance
Speakers
Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, President, Athens State University (AL)
Dr. Nelson E. Soto, President, Albizu University (Puerto Rico)
Dr. Joe Sallustio, Chief of Industry Engagement, Ellucian
Sponsored by
