In an era where the pace of technological change is moving faster than most of us can fully process, fundamental changes are needed in higher education. And yet many Americans feel educators are not meeting the moment.
A recent Gallup survey found that only 11 percent of business leaders strongly agree that college graduates are well-prepared for the workforce, while fewer than half of recent graduates themselves feel confident in their readiness. Public confidence in the value of a college degree is continuing to trend downward, with just 36 percent of adults now saying a four-year degree is worth the cost.
It’s clear that many of our longstanding approaches aren’t just outmoded, they’re out of step with what employers will increasingly require. Just look at how quickly advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning and life sciences are reshaping entire industries. The challenge for higher education isn’t simply adopting the latest tools, it’s designing programs to prepare people for the kinds of jobs these emerging tools will create. Too many institutions remain stuck in the past, unable to move nimbly to meet the fast-changing needs of employers, students and communities.
Non-traditional students have become the new majority
As educators and leaders, we have a responsibility to meet learners where they are and to align our offerings with what the real-world demands. That begins by recognizing and embracing the needs of non-traditional students, such as working adults and mid-career changers, and people who are looking for an education that fits their life stage and leads to real opportunity. They aren’t looking for prestige degrees or traditional programs; they want an education that is flexible, fast, and which prepares them for emerging career opportunities.
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For colleges and universities, this isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a strategic one. Tapping into this growing population can be a powerful path toward offsetting the enrollment cliff institutions face as the number of traditional high school graduates continues to shrink.
It’s time to build academic models around today’s learners. Today, more than 70 percent of college students now fit the profile of “non-traditional,” including those who are already working, parenting, or returning to school mid-career. To support them, institutions need to break down old barriers and create new learning pathways designed for modern life. That means building curricula that are modular, adaptable, and laser-focused on real-world relevance.
For example, as industry calls for fluency in emerging tools like generative AI, some institutions are embedding AI literacy directly into coursework; others remain rooted in a mindset that treats such tools as academic dishonesty. The disconnect is clear: business leaders are asking for this skill, but too many educators are still debating the merits of its use rather than embracing its applications.
Stronger community and workforce ties drive results
Just as importantly, we need to strengthen the connection between education and the workforce. When colleges and universities regularly team up with local employers and community leaders, everyone benefits. Such partnerships help ensure academic programs are feeding directly into the needs of local economies. The more connected an institution is to its surrounding communities, the more resilient it will be in the face of continuous change.
Institutions should be encouraging students to apply their learning directly in the communities where they live. When students engage in hands-on experiences, through clinical placements, service projects, or employer-based learning, they don’t just gain practical skills. They build relationships, strengthen local talent pipelines, and begin to see themselves as contributors to their region’s future.
That connection also opens the door to outcome-based education, where the measure of success isn’t how long someone sits in a classroom, but whether they leave with the skills to thrive in their chosen field. When schools start from the end goal and work backward, they become true engines of progress. This approach doesn’t just help students. It positions institutions as forward-looking leaders in their regions and beyond.
Institutions that evolve will shape what comes next
The world of education and work isn’t static. For our systems to stay relevant, they must evolve. That takes leadership, vision, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Policymakers, faculty, and administrators alike need to step up and show they’re ready to rethink what learning looks like.
Ultimately, the future of higher education will depend on its ability to rapidly evolve to meet the needs of an ever-changing employer base through embracing non-traditional students, building stronger community and employer ties, and delivering real workforce outcomes.
This isn’t just a nice idea. It’s essential. The schools that take this seriously will be the ones shaping the future, not scrambling to play catch up. They’ll serve learners better, support local economies more effectively, and create a lasting impact in their communities and on society.
Now is the time to lead with purpose
Now is the moment to take action. That means reimagining programs, investing in partnerships, and listening, really listening, to what learners need. It means moving beyond tradition for tradition’s sake and leaning into innovation that serves real people in real time.
The payoff? An education system that doesn’t just survive. It thrives. One that powers opportunity, drives progress, and prepares people for whatever comes next. If higher education is willing to lean into this evolution, it can continue to be a powerful force for personal growth and global good for generations to come.
