If you’ve ever wondered what your CIO thinks about AI, this week’s issue is for you. We explore the results of Inside Higher Ed’s Annual Survey of Campus Chief Technology Officers, who spend a lot of time talking about AI. After that, we see how testing for the current version of the FAFSA is going before closing with lessons from a state’s free community college program. 

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to let us know whether you think higher education is ready for AI! 

Annual Campus Chief Technology Officers Survey 

From Most Campus Tech Leaders Say Higher Ed Is Unprepared for AI’s Rise | Inside Higher Ed  

Inside Higher Ed has released the results of their third annual survey of the campus tech leader, and while people are excited about AI, they also believe that most institutions are not ready to support enterprise-level uses of AI.   

Our Thoughts 

While I wish the survey had garnered more responses, it still offers a compelling story about the rapid rise of generative AI compared to the low levels of institutional preparedness to manage it. With only 9% of CTOs believing that higher education is ready for AI, the survey reveals an urgent need for institutions to strategize around digital transformation. However, the survey also indicates that institutions are hesitant to invest in these areas, making it difficult for IT divisions to meet the needs of their campus communities.  

Higher education is facing some immense challenges, such as low enrollment, student success, and public perception about its value. AI may play an important role in improving campus operations to reduce the impact of these challenges. I would strongly encourage institutional leaders to support their faculty and staff who want to experiment in the AI space to improve educational and operational outcomes at their institutions.  

FAFSA Updates 

From Here’s the Latest on the FAFSA Test-Drive of 2024 | The Chronicle of Higher Education   

The Department of Education (ED) has started the second round of beta testing for the new 2025-2026 FAFSA in an effort to prevent another FAFSA fiasco.   

Our Thoughts 

This is exciting and welcome news! ED must work to regain the trust of institutions and students after the disastrous rollout of the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Continuing to have productive beta tests is an important first step in reassuring the public that the 2025-2026 FAFSA will be improved. Additionally, ED’s emphasis on transparency and feedback during this process further strengthens public confidence in this new version.  

Although you may be tired of reading about the FAFSA, it is crucial that we remain informed about developments with the current version. As we saw last year, problems with the FAFSA directly affect college affordability and the enrollment process, as most students cannot attend college without financial aid. Plus, prospective students must feel confident that the FAFSA will not create undue burdens for their enrollment since a larger proportion of them already question whether college is the appropriate next step. 

Free Community College Lessons 

From What one state learned after a decade of free community college | The Hechinger Report  

Ten years ago, Tennessee began offering free tuition for residents to attend community college and has since inspired 36 other states to follow suit.  

Our Thoughts  

The free college movement has gained additional momentum recently, likely due to the increasing costs of attending post-secondary education. This article helps explain how these programs work, and the benefits states might see if they choose to implement such a program. By analyzing ten years of data from Tennessee’s free community college program, the article provides valuable lessons about the impact of free tuition on student success, particularly for low-income students.   

One key takeaway is that while free tuition opens access to education, it doesn’t always translate to higher graduation rates, especially for low-income students. Tennessee’s experience shows that pairing financial aid with mentoring and other support services makes a significant difference in outcomes, particularly for first-generation students. This finding challenges institutions to consider holistic approaches to student support, moving beyond just reducing tuition costs.