When students are genuine partners in the enterprise of higher education, colleges and universities cultivate future generations of graduates who feel ownership of the institutions they attended.
Experts say new collaborations, adult-learner strategies and state financial incentives could help institutions share resources and better meet student needs.
According to Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Penn State University, it is "important" that the federal government "continue that tradition of investing in our higher education system because it's a huge competitive advantage."
2026 will favor community colleges that reinvent themselves to ensure institutional resilience, market relevance and programmatic alignment with workforce and community needs.
Between lightning-fast completion times and innovative state policy, FAFSA completion rates are up 12% over the Class of 2023, according to the National College Attainment Network.
