Hindsight…

“If Colleges don't change the way they do business, students will…”  Looking back at an article from 2010 following TIAA-CREF's Higher Education Leadership Conference - how well have their predictions turned out?

Predictions

• Students will change the way colleges do business - partially true.  Fairly large numbers of students have started seeking credit for prior learning, such as military experience, MOOCs, etc.  But several institutions began offering it on their own, too.

• The landscape/paradigm will change and not in favor of traditional colleges and universities - somewhat true.  The landscape is clearly changing and becoming more difficult for institutions to function as they traditionally did.  It is not cataclysmic, yet, though.

• Disconnects between policy makers and institutions would lead to unclear paths and benchmarks - mostly true, I think.  Performance based funding, more budget cuts, etc. are leading to unclear and sometimes dysfunctional relationships and funding systems.

• Higher Education Funding is the next bubble - Unclear now, but recognition that it is the next bubble has been growing widely among those in and outside higher education.

• Outdated systems of teaching and preparing students will lead to a decline in US's competitive position - Unclear, but it is clear that the US has been losing ground in several benchmarks, including global economic markers, degree attainment markers, etc.