Welcome back! We hope you had a chance to rest and recharge over the winter break and are ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the spring semester. In our first issue of 2025, we explore the cascading economic impacts of the upcoming demographic cliff on the U.S. Staying with the topic of enrollment, we dissect an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education that asks whether this marks higher education’s grim new normal. Finally, we conclude with a look at the degree completion struggles faced by students at some of the nation’s largest online nonprofit institutions.  

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to share your thoughts about the “networked university.”  

Enrollment Tops Risk List 

From America is about to face the “enrollment cliff,” and the economy could suffer | The Hechinger Report  

Jon Marcus argues that the upcoming demographic cliff will have economic impacts that extend far beyond institutional finances.   

Our Thoughts 

Given that a recent report from United Educators identified enrollment as the top risk for institutions, regular readers won’t be surprised to see us discussing it again. What’s particularly compelling about this article, however, is that it moves beyond the usual enrollment cliff talking points. It highlights how the decline in traditionally aged college students poses risks not just for individual institutions, but for regional economies, national workforce readiness, and even global competitiveness. While individual institutions may feel the immediate financial strain of declining enrollments, this trend has far-reaching implications for the U.S. as a whole.  

I appreciated this perspective because it sheds light on the ripple effects we rarely discuss. With fewer graduates to fill critical roles in teaching, healthcare, and technology, the consequences extend well beyond campus boundaries. As professionals in this field, we must grapple with how to navigate these immediate challenges while also positioning higher education as a vital engine of innovation, equity, and opportunity in a rapidly evolving world. 

The New Normal? 

From Higher Ed’s Grim New Normal | The Chronicle of Higher Education  

Jeff Selingo discusses the current state of enrollment and proposes a potential approach to address these challenges.   

Our Thoughts 

Selingo does an excellent job summarizing the multifaceted challenges facing institutions today. These trends are converging to create a perfect storm, forcing institutions to grapple with hard questions about their value, financial stability, and ability to adapt. As we set strategic directions and confront difficult decisions, understanding these dynamics is essential.  

However, I’m less convinced by his ideas about a “networked university” and the suggestion that deeper strategic partnerships could serve as a lifeline for struggling institutions. In many ways, it feels more like a thought experiment than a practical solution. While institutions might realize cost savings by sharing specific functions, those savings would almost certainly depend on agreeing to standardized operating principles and software, which is an exceptionally challenging task.  

Having worked at various higher education institutions for almost twenty years, I remember how difficult it was to reach consensus even within one institution, let alone across multiple campuses, each with its own unique culture and identity. Institutions participating in such a model would need a strong commitment to collaboration, similar to what we see in consortiums like the Claremont Colleges in California. However, even these models have their limits, as colleges within a consortium often compete for the same pools of prospective students, restricting collaboration to areas that don’t directly impact enrollment and student success.  

As institutions tackle current and future challenges, it’s important to keep all options on the table. While I doubt we’ll see a significant rise in “networked universities” soon, simply engaging in the thought exercise could inspire innovative ideas for collaboration, resource sharing, and strategies to address common challenges. 

Online Student Struggle to Graduate 

From Online Degrees Out of Reach | Inside Higher Ed  

At the largest online nonprofit institutions, fewer than 50% of students earn a degree within eight years.  

Our Thoughts  

As online degree programs continue to grow in popularity, it’s critical to recognize the significant challenges students face in completing these programs. This article highlights not only the barriers encountered by non-traditional and part-time students but also the systemic shortcomings of many online programs that prioritize scale over student support.  

As higher education professionals, we must reflect on whether our institutions are truly supporting the students we aim to serve. While online programs offer flexibility, the lack of robust support services and an overreliance on self-directed learning often leave students feeling isolated and struggling to succeed. These issues are especially pressing as demographic declines push more institutions to expand online education as a way to offset enrollment losses. However, as the article emphasizes, this shift requires careful, student-centered strategies and not experimentation at the expense of student outcomes.  

For institutions considering expanding their online offerings, this article serves as a timely cautionary tale. Success in this space demands more than just marketing. It requires meaningful investment in curriculum quality, comprehensive student support systems, and accountability measures. As the online education landscape evolves, we must champion thoughtful, equitable approaches that prioritize long-term student success over short-term enrollment gains.